Top Golf has been around for a few years now and there is no argument their driving range happy hour environment is becoming very popular with Non-Golfers.
But is Top Golf helping to elevate the interest amongst non-golfers to playing REAL Golf? The answer seems to be No!
As far a business plan Top Golf does seem to have a corner on the golf entertainment market. However, does what Top Golf offer to the general public as a substitute to playing golf make one want to go play real golf, or does what Top Golf offer to avid golfers enhance their interest in playing golf. Again the answer is No.
I have visited several times to two of the Top Golf location here in North Texas and found bought experiences the same..very lacking the feel of hitting a Real Golf.
As far as a training center or a place to go to work on your swing, Top Golf is just a tad off being worth using since they do use limited flight golf balls.
Why do they use Limited Flight Golf Balls?
Business Golf at Top Golf
As far as a place to play business golf..well…the verdict has not come in on that. One of the main reason you play business golf on a real golf course is to get away from a business environment so you can witness a person’s true personality. Yes, a demonstration of bad character could develop at Top Golf, but can you distinguish a bad character trait from the emotion a golfer would experience from hitting limited flight golf ball? More than likely not.
As far a place to sit and have drinks, Top Golf is OK.
Improving Interest in Real Golf
Maybe one day the golf ball manufacturers will create a Pro Line of golf balls a real golfer can use to track the flight and distances of the ball. A golf ball that records all the data of how you hit the ball so a professional instructor can offer suggestions on improvement. Now that would help the game of golf.
Golf is in need of making a change to keep it relevant, but not sure Top Golf is the change that helps Golf. People who have never played on a golf course or hit a real golf ball are not getting a very good simulation of what hitting a real golf ball would be like.
Now, if Top Golf was located at a golf course where you could hit a few balls to warm up and then hit the tee..then after the round of real golf step back into the Top Golf facility to work out a few problems and enjoy a cold beer… This would be how I could see Top Golf help the game of Golf.
Until then, let me know how I can help.
