Top Golf coming to Michigan

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/topgolf-breaks-ground-on-first-michigan-location-set-to-open-in-late-2018

Looks like the rumors were correct. Top Golf will be over by the mall in Auburn Hills.

Anyone know when they open?

Carl can't be happy about this.

Their business model is a lot different than Carls. Not so much a practice range and more of a grab some drinks and food with friends and hit a few balls. You might get a few people trying it out at first but I don't think it'll really ever be a driving range replacement.

Their business model is a lot different than Carls. Not so much a practice range and more of a grab some drinks and food with friends and hit a few balls. You might get a few people trying it out at first but I don't think it'll really ever be a driving range replacement.

Carl doesn't like ANY form of competition. When I opened my small Scratch studio at 11 and Woodward (20+ min away) and then went to Carl's to buy a new Ping driver with my 4 year old son, Carl came out of the back screaming and swearing at me to gtfo of his store. I was his competition now he said and he kills all his competition. Now keep in mind that my family and I have probably spent close to 6 figures in his store over the years and my first job as a 14 year old was picking the range there. That and I was at the register buying a $400 driver. And my Scratch studio was a tiny showroom selling my brand about 20+ minutes away. I promise that Carl is losing sleep over Top Golf and Club Champion coming to town.

Sounds like a classy dude. I've heard winter 2018 for the opening, hopefully it will indeed give Carl some grief if that's the way he talks to customers.

Sounds like a classy dude. I've heard winter 2018 for the opening, hopefully it will indeed give Carl some grief if that's the way he talks to customers.

The Classiest!

Top Golf is an interesting phenomenon. I've been amazed by how many non golfers I've seen there having a great time. It's a good introduction to the game for younger people, I know 2 people (in AZ) who have started playing golf because they first picked up a club at a Top Golf and really had fun.

I can't see Top golf being a real threat to Carl's or Miles. It seems like more of a threat to X-golf or the other entertainment year-round simulators.

For those of us living in the north there are going to be quite a few days when this place will be empty. I'm a golf junkie and there are days where a covered heated stall is a no go. I just can't see casual golfers or better yet non-golfers hanging out hitting balls into swirling wintry winds.

I have been wondering the same thing. How do these work in the northern climates. I get that AZ and Florida are good locations, but how does it work during a week like this in Chicago or Detroit? I've hit under the heaters at Carls or Miles but those really only work to a certain point. If the wind is blowing, they are almost useless.

Anybody here been to one in winter??

I've been to the one in Las Vegas. I'd compare it to golf's version of bowling with bumpers. Fun for golfers of all abilities, though serious golfers may not get their "golf fix." Great place to socialize, eat, drink and have a fun competition.

The one here in Indianapolis is very comfortable when the temperature is above 25. If the temperature gets below that, or there is a cold breeze blowing right into the bay, then it can be a little too cold.

I had the same thoughts as you about its winter viability, but that being said, I'm amazed at how crowded the place has been over the past few months. They sold out for New Years and it was near 0 degrees. 1-3 hour waits in the evenings when it is in the 30s or below. We even had an ice/wind storm that pulled one of the nets down and it had to close for 36 hours. As soon as it reopened, people were lined up!

I've driven by it at 1 in the morning on a Saturday night and the place is packed. You can't underestimate the number of people who just hang out there and eat like it was a normal bar or restaurant. The golf bays aren't their only income stream.

Their business model is a lot different than Carls. Not so much a practice range and more of a grab some drinks and food with friends and hit a few balls. You might get a few people trying it out at first but I don't think it'll really ever be a driving range replacement.

 

Carl doesn't like ANY form of competition. When I opened my small Scratch studio at 11 and Woodward (20+ min away) and then went to Carl's to buy a new Ping driver with my 4 year old son, Carl came out of the back screaming and swearing at me to gtfo of his store. I was his competition now he said and he kills all his competition. Now keep in mind that my family and I have probably spent close to 6 figures in his store over the years and my first job as a 14 year old was picking the range there. That and I was at the register buying a $400 driver. And my Scratch studio was a tiny showroom selling my brand about 20+ minutes away. I promise that Carl is losing sleep over Top Golf and Club Champion coming to town.

Just a quick follow up Carl has banned me from his store based on this post.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

I guess he doesn't like it when people report his bad behavior online. ?

Their business model is a lot different than Carls. Not so much a practice range and more of a grab some drinks and food with friends and hit a few balls. You might get a few people trying it out at first but I don't think it'll really ever be a driving range replacement.

 

Carl doesn't like ANY form of competition. When I opened my small Scratch studio at 11 and Woodward (20+ min away) and then went to Carl's to buy a new Ping driver with my 4 year old son, Carl came out of the back screaming and swearing at me to gtfo of his store. I was his competition now he said and he kills all his competition. Now keep in mind that my family and I have probably spent close to 6 figures in his store over the years and my first job as a 14 year old was picking the range there. That and I was at the register buying a $400 driver. And my Scratch studio was a tiny showroom selling my brand about 20+ minutes away. I promise that Carl is losing sleep over Top Golf and Club Champion coming to town.

 

Just a quick follow up Carl has banned me from his store based on this post.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

I guess he doesn't like it when people report his bad behavior online.

This is really disappointing to hear. Not that I spent a lot over time, but why would I want to patronize a business like that. Miles of Golf it is if I need fitting work....

Their business model is a lot different than Carls. Not so much a practice range and more of a grab some drinks and food with friends and hit a few balls. You might get a few people trying it out at first but I don't think it'll really ever be a driving range replacement.

 

Carl doesn't like ANY form of competition. When I opened my small Scratch studio at 11 and Woodward (20+ min away) and then went to Carl's to buy a new Ping driver with my 4 year old son, Carl came out of the back screaming and swearing at me to gtfo of his store. I was his competition now he said and he kills all his competition. Now keep in mind that my family and I have probably spent close to 6 figures in his store over the years and my first job as a 14 year old was picking the range there. That and I was at the register buying a $400 driver. And my Scratch studio was a tiny showroom selling my brand about 20+ minutes away. I promise that Carl is losing sleep over Top Golf and Club Champion coming to town.

 

Just a quick follow up Carl has banned me from his store based on this post.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

I guess he doesn't like it when people report his bad behavior online. ��

 

This is really disappointing to hear. Not that I spent a lot over time, but why would I want to patronize a business like that. Miles of Golf it is if I need fitting work....

Agreed. If this is truly the case, I will not support them anymore in any way.

Their business model is a lot different than Carls. Not so much a practice range and more of a grab some drinks and food with friends and hit a few balls. You might get a few people trying it out at first but I don't think it'll really ever be a driving range replacement.

 

Carl doesn't like ANY form of competition. When I opened my small Scratch studio at 11 and Woodward (20+ min away) and then went to Carl's to buy a new Ping driver with my 4 year old son, Carl came out of the back screaming and swearing at me to gtfo of his store. I was his competition now he said and he kills all his competition. Now keep in mind that my family and I have probably spent close to 6 figures in his store over the years and my first job as a 14 year old was picking the range there. That and I was at the register buying a $400 driver. And my Scratch studio was a tiny showroom selling my brand about 20+ minutes away. I promise that Carl is losing sleep over Top Golf and Club Champion coming to town.

 

Just a quick follow up Carl has banned me from his store based on this post.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

I guess he doesn't like it when people report his bad behavior online. ��

 

This is really disappointing to hear. Not that I spent a lot over time, but why would I want to patronize a business like that. Miles of Golf it is if I need fitting work....

 

Agreed. If this is truly the case, I will not support them anymore in any way.

Carl called me today (I am out of town) he said the message conveyed to me the other day when I was in the store was not as he intended, that he wanted to talk to me in person and he was not there. And to be fair he was not there when this happened. I was told by a top manager that I could not buy anything when I attempted to purchase a driver because of my post above. Maybe it was a misunderstanding on their part. To be fair I have always had alot of respect for Carl as a businessman.

I have known him a long time and have been very disappointed by any less than positive interaction I've had in his store. I'm going to talk to him more when I get back home. I do respect the fact that he called me after what happened.

Hey Ari, how did things play out? Have to admit, how he handles this situation will determine whether I make the trek over in a couple of weeks when we are in Auburn Hills.

I have not had a chance to reach out yet. I am home for only 3 days in between trips and I live a little over an hour away. I am gone again tomorrow until late Wednesday and I didn't have a chance to go all the way over there in the few days I was home. I will get over there end of next week when I get back.