The scene: While golf courses around the world have struggled in recent years, with many closing, Topgolf has been surprisingly successful and continues to grow. Topgolf basically takes a bowling alley approach to the sport, using balls with embedded microchips. Instead of a lane, players rent a driving range bay by the hour, complete with comfortable seating for up to eight, and choose from a variety of skill challenge games, hitting balls to bull’s eye-style targets at different distances, while the computer automatically keeps score. The top in Topgolf stands for target-oriented practice, but most people are not practicing, they are just having fun. There are numerous games to choose from, and Topgolf wows both hardcore golfers and those who never play at the same time. It’s impossible not to compare it to bowling: Serious players might bring their own equipment, while most choose clubs off the loaner racks, but everyone is there to have fun, and it is a highly social and family-friendly event.
In addition to a slate of golf-derived games, Topgolf offers an extensive full-service menu and beverage program, and this is a key to its success. Bays have a party atmosphere, and while menus vary slightly by location and some have local specialties, the constant is a lot of shareable comfort food good enough to keep fans coming back. Full service is offered while you play by “Bay Hosts,” and most locations also have full bars or dining areas throughout, often with lots of TVs and doubling as sports bars (some people come for the food and scene and don’t even bother with the golf). The largest Topgolf and U.S. flagship is in Las Vegas, attached to the MGM Grand casino resort. It spans four levels, has two pools with private cabanas, VIP areas, and combines the city’s penchant for exclusive “Day Clubs” and pool parties with the Topgolf ethos. Celebs that have come to play include Drake, Gwen Stefani and Justin Timberlake, and the Vegas location also has a communal “lawn” area with games like corn hole, offers occasional yoga classes, hosts concerts with nationally known bands, has DJs on weekends, and there are five bars throughout, all with full food service. Many guests eat while they wait for bays – on busy weekends this can stretch two to three hours.
More: 5 things at Topgolf Las Vegas that you won’t find elsewhere
There are currently more than 40 Topgolf locations in 27 states, with several more on the way. The company is based in Dallas and has more venues in Texas than any other state (11) including Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin. Other major cities with existing or soon-to-open locations include Scottsdale, Salt Lake, Cleveland, Nashville, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Baltimore, D.C., Detroit, St. Louis, Charlotte and Pittsburgh. There are also locations in the United Kingdom and Australia, Mexico, Canada, and Dubai are on the way, and the latest offering is the Topgolf Suite, a miniature version of the experience using indoor simulators, installed in hotels, casinos, fitness clubs and stadiums. There are seven open in this country and more than that under construction.
Reason to visit: Jumbo Pretzel Board, Crispy Sea Bass Sliders, chicken and waffle sliders, Injectable Donut Holes.
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