Millennial Golf

[MountainGoat]

Very interesting article in the Washington Post about the Topgolf facilities popping up in the DC area: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2017/07/27/golf-for-millennials-fast-arcade-style-and-boozy/?utm_term=.a9edcbae02e7

 

Reminds me of what happened to bowling when Xtreme bowling came briefly into fashion.

[highergr0und]

I like Top Golf. Sure, it's not real golf, but you can take people of all skill levels and have fun without being held up. Only risk is losing to someone you would never lose to on the course :)

[ohioglfr]

My 26 year-old daughter had a girls night out at the Virginia Beach TG. Said she didn't hit too well, but had a lot of fun. The Instagram pics showed them all wearing flip-flops.

 

I can't imagine wearing flip-flops.

[tocino]

I went to the one in Roseville with some friends. 4 of us were golfers, my wife and one of her friends knows how to swing a club but the rest were noobies. We had a blast drinking, snacking on bar food and playing some of the games even though the clubs were crap. We rented 2 bays and played for about 3 hours before heading to thunder valley for more drinks and a little gambling. I mean it's not "real" golf but if you brought your own clubs I could see using it to work on your accuracy in a more "fun" way than you normally would at the range. I'd probably go back again if I went with another big group, just not as an individual though.

[krtgolfing]

I am 31 and enjoy going. Gives me a chance to work on my game. Wife also enjoys going and hitting a few balls as well. Food is pretty good and can have a few drinks while doing it as well. At least I do not have to deal with people on a normal driving range trying to give me tips!

[bauer22]

I went to the one in Las Vegas. I went at 12:30, on a Tuesday. It was jamming. I can't imagine a Friday or Saturday night.

 

I had a great time. My only gripe was that the back fence was only 220. From an elevated level i was hitting the back net with a 3 wood. And I was using Top Golf's clubs! Had I been using my equipment i'm pretty confident i'd have to stick to irons only. I know it's more about target practice, but sometimes you just want to see how far you can hit it.

[Fairway Robbery]

TopGolf is going to give the sport of golf a shot in the arm, although time will tell how dramatic that shot will be. I strongly believe a non-trivial number of first-timers will get hooked and take up the real thing.

 

I thought bringing your own clubs to one (Edison, NJ) would be only a slightly less egregious "violation" than bringing a glove to an MLB game after the age of 12... but there were a LOT of people bringing their own sets. Definitely does well to bring golfers and non-golfers together. I see it like bowling, as a sporting-entertainment venue that pretty much anyone can do. My vehemently non-golfing wife thoroughly enjoyed herself when we went and even bought more time in the bay.

[xxio]

We don't have topgolf overseas. What are the fees like?

[Waterball6]

I really enjoy it, obviously totally different, but still a ton of fun.

 

My buddies and I did a 4 man league over the winter. It was a great way to keep swinging over the winter and have beers.

[dcmidnight]

I live right next to the original US location in Alexandria VA and I know the place has basically been packed since the day it opened. I don't know if they've done any studies on how many non-golfers have gone to TG and converted to actual golfers. But even if that number is small, people always seem to be having fun there.

[tocino]

TopGolf is going to give the sport of golf a shot in the arm, although time will tell how dramatic that shot will be. I strongly believe a non-trivial number of first-timers will get hooked and take up the real thing.

 

I thought bringing your own clubs to one (Edison, NJ) would be only a slightly less egregious "violation" than bringing a glove to an MLB game after the age of 12... but there were a LOT of people bringing their own sets. Definitely does well to bring golfers and non-golfers together. I see it like bowling, as a sporting-entertainment venue that pretty much anyone can do. My vehemently non-golfing wife thoroughly enjoyed herself when we went and even bought more time in the bay.

 

Actually, their was a stall next to us that had 4 guys who brought their own bags/clubs and were pretty much dressed like they had just come or were planning on going to play a round of golf. Like, full blown, matching, major-championship-I-have-a-clothing-script-from-my-sponsor, type of gear. i think most of the guys i was with were just wearing shorts/cargo shorts and t-shirts. I get bringing your clubs... but the clothing stuff was way overboard (and this is from a guy who thinks you should dress the part when playing a round)

[Spicoli]

We don't have topgolf overseas. What are the fees like?

 

At peak hours it's more expensive than playing real golf.

[MtlJeff]

I've been to the TopGolf in Dallas 3 times. Go there when i'm on business.

 

It's a lot of fun. It doesn't matter that it isn't "real golf" it's a great gateway. Decent food, beer, and fun driving range games that people of any skill level can play. I imagine it would be a good date idea too for younger folk.

 

One time i went there with a couple of VPs at one of our vendors, and i wasn't sure how it would go but the guys really got into it. The beer probably helped

[dcmidnight]

I've been to the TopGolf in Dallas 3 times. Go there when i'm on business.

 

It's a lot of fun. It doesn't matter that it isn't "real golf" it's a great gateway. Decent food, beer, and fun driving range games that people of any skill level can play. I imagine it would be a good date idea too for younger folk.

 

One time i went there with a couple of VPs at one of our vendors, and i wasn't sure how it would go but the guys really got into it. The beer probably helped

 

A few years ago when I was in Dallas with a few of the guys from Taylormade, they said that two of the Dallas area Topgolfs were the top two annual beer sales locations in the state - IE more profit/sales than any restaurant or bar in the entire state of Texas.

[MtlJeff]

I've been to the TopGolf in Dallas 3 times. Go there when i'm on business.

 

It's a lot of fun. It doesn't matter that it isn't "real golf" it's a great gateway. Decent food, beer, and fun driving range games that people of any skill level can play. I imagine it would be a good date idea too for younger folk.

 

One time i went there with a couple of VPs at one of our vendors, and i wasn't sure how it would go but the guys really got into it. The beer probably helped

 

A few years ago when I was in Dallas with a few of the guys from Taylormade, they said that two of the Dallas area Topgolfs were the top two annual beer sales locations in the state - IE more profit/sales than any restaurant or bar in the entire state of Texas.

 

I definitely believe it....and contributed to it! LOL

[huskydawg]

Top Golf is too expensive. Although it did help me once because it forced me to hit a 3 iron to the back green, a club I rarely practice with. After a few questionable shots, my swing got into a good groove by correcting a flaw at the top of my swing.

[eHawleywood]

Top Golf is too expensive.

 

Going in a group is about as expensive as going out or bowling IMO.. Primetime prices have dropped to $45/hr for the bay... split 4 ways for 2 hours its $25/ea and 6 over 3 its the same. The food and drinks are pricey, but again, really doesn't come out any more expensive than dinner and a nightclub or other comparable drinking activities. Just stick to splitting apps and buckets of beer and its pretty easy to stay under $50.

[SetTheBarrHigh]

I live in Plano, TX and The Colony location is about 5 miles from our home. I've had friends that go and wanted to start playing because of it.

 

It's mainly about beer though.