TopGolf

[billchao]

Anybody heard of or frequent one of their locations? Seems like a lot of fun as well as practical. This is exactly the kind of thing that would get my friends into golf, or at least doing something golf related.

http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2014-05/topgolf-luke-kerr-dineen

Quote:

Here golfers don't simply bash balls into the distance. They aim at various targets around the range. Hit into one and you're automatically assigned points that appear on the television screen at your bay. The farther the target and the closer you hit to its center, the more points you get. Think darts. ( See sidebar above, "Fun & Games" )

Add loud Top-40 music, a menu that wouldn't seem out of place in a New York City gastropub, a sleek design, and out pops TopGolf—a self-styled "sports-entertainment facility" that's ascending through the golf industry unlike anything in recent history.

And they're also planning on offering lessons.

http://www.golfdigest.com/blogs/the-loop/2014/10/topgolf-is-offering-people-rea.html

Quote:

Topgolf U is essentially an instruction program that Topgolf says will help "grow the game." Lesson prices range by site, but start at $20 for adults and $15 for kids. PGA-certified instructors roam around the hitting bays and offer advice that'll help users play the game better. Lessons last about 20 minutes and instructors will video the player's swing, which they can then share on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

[badandy519]

I go to one here in DFW every couple of weeks.  We've had a few work outings there as well.  They have a phone app that lets you track your score history, against everyone there that day, change the TV station in your bay, etc etc.  Food and drinks aren't any more than most restaurants.  They have 8 week leagues with prizes that are always running, kid camps in the summer, and all kinds of other promos.

We've taken people from work that have never swung a club in their life and everyone has a blast.  During the week here, you can get one bay for $20 per hour before noon.  With work, we usually go just before 11 and pay for 2 hours.  With 4-5 people, we can get 100 or so balls per hour, but that's because nobody is in a hurry.  Later in the day, it goes to $40/ hr and weekends up to $60, but it's still not that bad when you split it 5 ways or so.

[mvmac]

Never been to one but would like to go, there's only one in California and it's in NorCal. I went to a TaylorMade event where Gary McCord did a talk during dinner and commented on how Topgolf is the future of golf. It's not something he's happy about but due to the difficulty and cost to take up the game, it's much more accessible "for the masses".

[vangator]

At $20 per hour, it's too expensive for me. Plus the Top 40 music would drive me away. My tastes run along different lines.

[golf-noob-bruce]

Been once or twice. I have one just a few miles from where I live. It's a lot of fun, especially seeing as it's the one place I can involve the wife and kids in golf related stuff. (As an aside: My wife could probably become really good at golf. She had a few really nice shots at TopGolf, and she never picks up a club, but she's just not interested ).

But it's not really golf.

[turtleback]

Been once or twice. I have one just a few miles from where I live. It's a lot of fun, especially seeing as it's the one place I can involve the wife and kids in golf related stuff. (As an aside: My wife could probably become really good at golf. She had a few really nice shots at TopGolf, and she never picks up a club, but she's just not interested ).

But it's not really golf.

Exactly.  In may be an interesting experiment, but I have my doubts how many serious long term golfers it will generate.

[isukgolf]

Have one in the Phx area ... been meaning to drive my butt over there ... maybe I will take my team for a team building event.

[Keith White]

Sounds like fun but it will probably generate a different golfer as to many who go there the real game will seem too dull.  Worst case scenario it keeps young talent from improving without the real game and prove detrimental.  Most likely will run it's course after a few years and die down.  It's funny how many people refer to knew things as the future and before long they are part of the past.

[jetsknicks1]

Exactly.  In may be an interesting experiment, but I have my doubts how many serious long term golfers it will generate.

it's not there to generate long term golfers anymore the putt putt golf is. Just looks like something fun to do.

[Dave2512]

TG is a family fun center. Despite having some golf it's not the only thing they do. Their model isn't based on luring golfers away from courses just provide a bigger and better alternative to places like Dave and Busters. They are building one here set to open spring 2015. It will be huge here.

[Crim]

I was just going to type that this sounds familiar to something a friend of mine does in Texas. I went to her facebook to see what her's was called and wouldn't you know it...Top Golf.

Sounds amazing. Looks fun.

Edit: just went to the website and looked for the nearest one to Minneapolis. 547 miles

[Crim]

Been once or twice. I have one just a few miles from where I live. It's a lot of fun, especially seeing as it's the one place I can involve the wife and kids in golf related stuff. (As an aside: My wife could probably become really good at golf. She had a few really nice shots at TopGolf, and she never picks up a club, but she's just not interested ).

But it's not really golf.

Isn't it kind of just like...range golf with points and fun?

I think it's an amazing idea in the fact that I think a lot of beginners are scared to go to the course because of full shots. People just want to be able to hit the ball down the fairway and not look too stupid. Perhaps TopGolf will be a fun way to get newbies connecting flush more often?

[Stretch]

There is a TopGolf not too far from us in London. My kids (who have otherwise resisted all efforts to get them into the game) really love it. The food is truly filthy and the best beer is Heineken, but these are the sacrifices one makes for one's offspring.

[ElWagonne]

There's one the next exit up the toll road from my house.  It's real cool for team outings, birthdays, or just to get out with a group of friends.  It doesn't replace the feel of a real golf course though and at $40/hour, I probably wouldn't recommend it for solo practice.

[dsc123]

Its very expensive and crowded (as in often have to wait for a stall).  Waitresses walking around trying to get you to buy food and drinks.

If i trusted the balls to fly true and distances to be accurate it would be really cool because the balls have tags in them and it says how far it went.  It would be great for nailing down your wedge and other scoring club distances.

[turtleback]

it's not there to generate long term golfers anymore the putt putt golf is. Just looks like something fun to do.

Well the article was quoted in the OP as saying:

[Dave2512]

TG U is an actual instruction program. It is just one thing they offer. I wouldn't assume that just because you can hit a bucket and then play Ms. Pacman and eat pizza the instruction program isn't legit.

[Pretzel]

TG is a family fun center. Despite having some golf it's not the only thing they do. Their model isn't based on luring golfers away from courses just provide a bigger and better alternative to places like Dave and Busters. They are building one here set to open spring 2015. It will be huge here.

I'm looking forward to it, my golf team and I will probably take a group trip down there for a day to have fun when it opens.