Topgolf Hillsboro

[Brad W]

I've never heard of Topgolf until they started radio advertisements in the Portland OR market.  I Googled them and was skeptical of what I saw online.  I searched this site just now to see what people thought and it seems you all have mixed emotions/thoughts on the idea.

I had a vendor invite me to the new Hillsboro venue (Portland) and figured what better way to check it out than on their dime.

Is it for serious golfers working on game improvement - lessons, video, etc?  Probably not so much.  Does it give a serious golfer the opportunity to hit balls just like any other range?  Sure, why not?

Essentially they have turned the driving range into a social event.  The technology helps create fun competition games that are easy to keep track.  The atmosphere is very much like the ultra modern bowling allies.  Music, big screen TV's with sporting events, etc.

Cost?  At 25 bucks an hour, that sounds steep until you think about it.  Three couples for two hours is less than ten bucks each.  You can easily play three or maybe four "games" in an hour.  The game we played each player got 20 balls.  Cost of range balls in my area - well, it varies between five and eight bucks, and I can whack through those in 20 minutes max.  When you break it down, it isn't too bad.

I've not been playing enough to comment on the quality of the clubs they provide, but you are allowed to bring your own clubs, so I don't think this is worth while point to be critical. Quality of the balls?  Come on, at the end of the day its a range.

Anyway, it was an enjoyable afternoon.  I walked away thinking it probably isn't something I'd do weekly, but I'd do it again.  I'd even consider making a "date night" out of it some time with a group and spending my own money.  It was a fun way to hang out, socialize, and whack some golf balls.  I hit a crap ton of balls yesterday and I'm actually feeling a little worn today :)

 

[natureboy]

It definitely looks like fun to me. I love the idea of a range where you can have a beer (in a glass) at the same time.

However, on cost efficiency for working on the game, it's not comparable to a standard range. One hour on a regular range is ~ $12 for a large bucket, and the grass is part of the bargain.

[Brad W]

agreed, I for sure don't think this is replacement for standard range.  

This particular place is nearly an hour away from me, so that in itself is prohibitive.  However, if it were ten minutes away, I'd still drive 15 to go to normal range... most of the time at least.

This is for sure designed to be a social event that involves eating, drinking, hanging out with friends, and whacking golf balls

 

 

[djfajt71]

I went to the one near me (Tampa) once.  I took my brother when he came down for a golf weekend, as he had never heard of them.  We had a good time, but it's tough to get in.  During the week, in the evening, it's an average of an hour wait.  On the weekends, it's an 1.5-2 hour wait.  My brother went right when it opened on a Friday morning and stayed for a couple of hours.  It was jammed, with a line out the door, when we left.

[nevets88]

Topgolf is growing like crazy. It made $300m in revenues last year. If you look at its locations page, new ones keep sprouting up, there's at least 3-4 by my unofficial count, there's finally one in my area. There are also locations 3, at least, in the UK. It also works with Callaway and the PGA Tour. 

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a3573b9e-dca8-11e5-8541-00fb33bdf038.html#axzz4HbhciXZn

 

[CarlSpackler]

I was in Dallas a few weeks ago and there was one up the street from my hotel. I looked in to it, but it wasn't really feasible for me to go there by myself. It looks like a fun way to spend an evening with some friends, but as you said, it's not a place meant for game/swing improvement.

[Kalnoky]

Wow, $25 an hour is kind of steep.. I could actually play 18 holes of twilight golf at a very nice local course for close to that. But I guess bowling is a rip-off too, and everyone still enjoys doing that. 

[Brad W]

I went to this vendor "event" at 3pm on a Tuesday and the parking lot was nearly full.  By the time I left at 6pm every bay appeared to be full and the lot sure looked full.  There weren't any lines though.  What it is like on the weekend, I don't know.  I don't wait in line for things though, so it is no commentary on Topgolf when I say I sure as hell wouldn't wait for an hour or more to get in... maybe 15 minutes.

Including their "coming soon" status, there are 33 in the U.S. and 3 in UK

For one person to go hit balls, yeah, it is expensive.  But for a group of six, I don't think it is bad.  A coworker just told me it is cheaper than "Big Als' which is one of these modern bowling allies they are building these days

I'd do Topgolf before Dave and Busters or the "Big Al's" equivalents  

I sound like I'm defending them... I'm not, I don't think.  I just thought it was a fun afternoon with a group of people.  I still plan on going to my local course friday and hitting off the grass :)

 

 

[mchepp]

I plan to visit the new Hillsboro version after the excitement/newness has died down a little. I have been to one in Houston before and felt that yes, it was a golf themed bowling alley. I wholeheartedly agree it is better than Dave and Busters, and the bar and food were better than most bowling alleys. 

[Brad W]

13 minutes ago, mchepp said:

I plan to visit the new Hillsboro version after the excitement/newness has died down a little. I have been to one in Houston before and felt that yes, it was a golf themed bowling alley. I wholeheartedly agree it is better than Dave and Busters, and the bar and food were better than most bowling alleys. 

Just go with a group of friends.  It doesn't make sense to go alone.

[CarlSpackler]

I see that they are building one here in Orlando. I will have to check it out when it opens. 

[David in FL]

1 hour ago, Kalnoky said:

Wow, $25 an hour is kind of steep.. I could actually play 18 holes of twilight golf at a very nice local course for close to that. But I guess bowling is a rip-off too, and everyone still enjoys doing that. 

That's for the range spot.  Split between your group, it's pretty reasonable.  As with most places like that, they really want your food and beverage purchases...

 

[lastings]

I went to a top golf for the first time earlier this year (as we don't have them in Minnesota)...   I thought it was a blast.  

It definitely is not the range, or the course.  It is something entirely different.   It's a social event.  you can compete with friends, play some games, drink beer, and eat food (pretty good food, might I add.)

If you are going there to work on your game, you're probably not in the right spot.   but, if you're going to have a good time and swingthe club a bit, it's a blast.  

 

[natureboy]

28 minutes ago, David in FL said:

That's for the range spot.  Split between your group, it's pretty reasonable.  As with most places like that, they really want your food and beverage purchases...

Ahh. That makes more sense. Split even two ways it's pretty reasonable for the luxury of the cold beer and table service(?).

[Kalnoky]

I see... $25 split between a group is not bad at all

[Brad W]

right, .... you can have up to six people in each "bay" and it is 25/hour for the bay

 

 

[Rainmaker]

Top Golf is awesome . .I was totally skeptical before I went there, though.  We timed it so it wouldn't be too busy and it wasn't bad - I think we waited about 15 minutes or so.  It's definitely not about practice but it's lots of fun - in our group was a total first timer - never swung a club before.  She had a blast - much more fun than she probably would've had at the course or certainly at a regular range. 

I'm really keen to take my 5 year old there during the early part of the day sometime - perhaps with some friends.  I think it would be a fantastic way to introduce golf.  It will seem really fun and not boring to her and she'll really get to "play" like the grown-ups, etc.     

[mcanadiens]

One just opened a bit ago in West Chester (just north of Cincinnati). One of you lads was right that it isn't the sort of place that you'd go to alone. Plus, if I did go, there would have to be a baseball or hockey game along with it.

I could organize something I suppose, but the inertia is great and the money is not.