What if you took the social, group aspect of bowling, mixed it with a great game like golf, threw in a touch of a 1950’s pinball machine – and then placed it all on a golf range with changing colored lights and a fun atmosphere punched up with music, food and drink?
That’s Top Golf!
And it’s a new entertainment venue that opened last weekend in Mid-town Atlanta. An existing Top Golf opened recently in Alpharetta, Georgia. It’s great fun for beginners or experienced golfers.
The new facilities are owned by a Dallas, Texas corporation and bring the excitement of golf to those who might not be experienced in golf, maybe not committed to 18 holes of golf, or who may want to improve their golf game with golf balls containing microchips that reveal the exact distance each ball is shot.
The structure is three stories tall with each floor containing dozens of tee-off booths. Each of the 100 booths has seating for a group, much like bowling, with overhead flat screen TVs that keep track of each player and total yardage each player has accumulated, as well as broadcasts of current golf tournaments around the world.
Participants do not need to bring golf clubs, as each tee-off station has a complete set of wood and iron golf clubs to use. However, if a more seasoned golf player desires to use his or her own clubs, they are welcome to bring them.
The golf range is made up of not only distance markers, but giant circles (that are lighted with different colors after dark) that contain a flag and golf holes. There are holes within a few yards of the tee box for using a pitching wedge, and far away for using the best wood driver. And they supply these for you, too. After each golfer plays, their score is listed on a digital tally panel much like bowling. Balls are ejected slowly from a machine located on each tee box. And while you are enjoying golfing as a group, without walking the greens and fairways, an energetic wait-staff comes by to see if you need food or drink. Tables are made into each tee box for eating and drinks, and watching the action.
Local college student Ranier Lopez, has never played golf before (except miniature golf) and was a little apprehensive at first. “I just selected a really nice looking golf club, stepped up to the tee box, addressed the ball the way I saw in a YouTube video…and swung. Nothing. But on the third attempt the ball went sailing through the air, about 50 yards away.”
Speakers play fun music the whole time you are golfing. It’s a great place for a teenager’s birthday party, a couples or singles night out, or the golf purest who just wants to improve his or her score. Participants pay at each tee box with a credit card, and a machine dispenses the ball as you step up to the golfing area protected by a huge red line reminding others to stay clear of the swing. In other areas of the facility, there are traditional game rooms, meeting rooms, and dining rooms. Top Golf can be free for high school golf teams, when planned in advance by their coach.
Top Golf also provides lessons for really young golfers who are just learning the sport, as well as adults who are taking it up for the first time. That would include this reporter, as I made five attempts to hit my first ball, and when I finally did, patrons from 2 or 3 tee boxes nearby cheered. It’s a great place to learn golf. By the end of our match, student Lopez and I were hitting most balls, surprisingly accurate. Top Golf can be a little pricey, but the cost drops when you purchase a membership, much like a fitness center.
For more information, visit their website: www.topgolf.com. To communicate with the facility its best to send an email message using a form on the website. They answer quickly.
(All Photography courtesy of Michael Baker, copyright 2015, used by permission)
