Is TopGolf the Future of Golf?

[wakefield724]

There has never been a higher demand for Golf than there is now. With the current economy, land real estate prices are through the roof making it nearly impossible for someone to open a new course. TopGolf or places similar are smarter investments as they do not require a great amount of land, quicker to build, requires less maintenance, more profitable, less affected by weather/seasons, and have a greater target audience. While golf on courses is obviously more enjoyable to players, we can see that courses are closing faster than new ones opening. 

Where do you see golf heading to in the future? How can the industry keep up with the demand?

[pganapathy]

The truth is I like playing on a simulator.  Quicker since you don't have to walk the entire course, no searching for balls, each player can hit quicker and weather isn't a consideration.  But as an overall experience I like being outside on the course.  Figuring out this dichotomy is when golf will succeed.

Whether TopGolf is the better solution is more debatable though.  It is definitely cheaper in the long run, but the bonding of being on the course is different from a simulator, especially if there are many people playing at the same time.  That peace and quiet of being out on the course will definitely not exist.  It will almost be like playing at the 16th hole at the Phoenix Waste Management Open where there is lots of noise and alcohol flowing.  Not good for the future of golf

[saevel25]

I do not think golf is at it's peak. 

• Golf: number of participants U.S. 2019 | Statista

Golf has lost about 6 million golfers since 2019. 

I do think there was a golf bubble during Tiger's popularity. 

At least around my area in Ohio, the golf courses that are closing are owned by a family for over 30+ years and no one wants to take over running it, and they are in locations primed for land development. One has a Meijer's Store in a very commercial area. The other is near a residential area and been zoned residential. The final one has been zoned for industrial and is a good spot for that. So, it's just people tire of running golf courses (retiring), and no one wants to buy a golf course. 

As for Top Golf. It is popular, but I don't think it will replace golf courses. I don't think Top Golf will make golf courses close down. There is some room for Top Golf, but it's not the future. I think people like being out on the golf course. There are golf courses that are with in 10 miles of each other in Ohio. The nearest Top Golf is about 3 hours away from each other. I don't see a Top Golf being with in 10 minutes of each other like golf courses are. 

 

[ncates00]

13 minutes ago, wakefield724 said:

open a new course.

I think you’re assuming as part of your argument that new courses are required as a part of “the future of golf.” I don’t think that’s necessarily the case, especially if you have access to great golf courses that have been around for a long time. Moreover, if you want a new experience, you can always take a golf trip. 

 

14 minutes ago, wakefield724 said:

smarter investments

Not necessarily. It depends on which golf course you purchase, your overhead, your prices, competition in the market, how you run it, your clientele, etc. 

 

15 minutes ago, wakefield724 said:

more profitable

Do you have data to back this up? As compared to which golf course(s)? 

 

16 minutes ago, wakefield724 said:

and have a greater target audience.

I’m not sure about this one either. When you say “greater,” do you mean in terms of total numbers, among the golfing population, or across wider demographics? It’s a bit unclear. Sure, it’s quick, casual fun that many can appreciate with their friends, but I’m not familiar with the numbers regarding the traditional golfing population v. TopGolf population. 

 

19 minutes ago, wakefield724 said:

we can see that courses are closing faster than new ones opening. 

Again, even if true, I don’t think it’s necessary that  we courses spring up left and right. The same could be said for running your own restaurant—it’s hard work and risky. You’ve got a lot of competition in the market, so newcomers may struggle. Additionally, some courses may close due to a great number of reasons. I’m not sure TopGolf is going to avoid those potential problems. They certainly have an interesting model, but I don’t think it is “the future of golf” by any stretch of the imagination. 

[mcanadiens]

I tried Topgolf for the first time a month or two ago. 

It's ok as an amusement, but it is really no replacement. I don't see anyone going there week in and week out. It's more like laser-tag or go-karts. Something you take the kids to once a year.

 

 

[Darkfrog]

I don't think TopGolf is the future of golf but I think it has a part to play in golf's future.

TopGolf provides a golf-like experience, that is fun for just about anyone, even those who don't golf. I could see it being a gateway into the game for people who maybe didn't think of themselves as one to ever be a golfer.

[Big C]

5 minutes ago, Darkfrog said:

I don't think TopGolf is the future of golf but I think it has a part to play in golf's future.

TopGolf provides a golf-like experience, that is fun for just about anyone, even those who don't golf. I could see it being a gateway into the game for people who maybe didn't think of themselves as one to ever be a golfer.

I agree with this. I'd see it more as a supplement to golf, then as an indicator of where golf is headed in the future. 

Personally I have visited Top Golf facilities a half dozen times and I've always had a fun time. I would absolutely go back. But it is not even close to a replacement for real-golf, and for any advantage that the TopGolf experience has, there significantly more areas where it falls short. 

Because of this, I think "real" golf and TopGolf can exist in a symbiotic environment, as they are not really competitors with one another. I can't imagine anyone that loves to golf would prefer the TopGolf experience over playing 9 or 18 holes with their buddies. But there are probably many people that aren't interested in taking up the game, but who would love to have a few cocktails while hitting some balls at the TopGolf hitting bays. 

And that's great for the game, as far as I'm concerned. In reality, TopGolf is probably taking more business away from bowling centers, bars and nightclubs then they are from actual golf courses.

[wakefield724]

43 minutes ago, Darkfrog said:

I don't think TopGolf is the future of golf but I think it has a part to play in golf's future.

TopGolf provides a golf-like experience, that is fun for just about anyone, even those who don't golf. I could see it being a gateway into the game for people who maybe didn't think of themselves as one to ever be a golfer.

I think you nailed it with this it being a part of golf's future. I just can't see courses scaling as fast as the industry is, so something needs to supplement it. I personally am already calling 2 weeks ahead of time to book tee times. I'm sure others are having this issue. 

[NM Golf]

Since COVID the course where I work is busier than we have been in years. It's starting to taper off a little now, but in the summer we would have full tee times on 27 holes from 6:20 am until 6:00 pm. I don't think TopGolf is the future of golf by any means, but I do think it might do a lot to grow the game. People do get interested in golf because of TopGolf, in fact we've already seen some of it at the course. Our pros are getting a lot of new lessons because of it.

[StuM]

I agree with the comments that Top-Golf can co-exist and may help grow the sport but I do not see it replacing actual courses.  I've done Top-Golf a few times over the winter when I could not get on a course but have not even thought about it during our golf season.  

[gjunkie57]

I know people who are good at Top Golf who wouldn’t be able to get around on a real course because you don’t have to get the ball in the air.  
It has a place in the amusement park domain but its not the same as golf.  

[billchao]

TopGolf is not golf. It can certainly be fun, but it’s not going to replace golf in the future.

[imsys0042]

4 hours ago, billchao said:

TopGolf is not golf. It can certainly be fun, but it’s not going to replace golf in the future.

I agree.    Also, it can be a gateway drug.   So it’s good!