Ohio Golf Journal September 2017

golfer can earn points and compete against one another or others on the system, by accurately dumping their shot into the appropriate hole. We were on the third floor of the hitting area, which I found a bit disconcerting at first, with just a thin net to prevent falling off and onto the field, about 30 feet below. It was enjoyable chipping balls into the 50 and 100-yard pits, but being 30-feet in the air, I’m not sure it helped my short game. We did chat up other groups on both sides of our hitting bay. Most people, it seemed, were there for a party or event. Topgolf is a social happening! A bachelorette party was consuming about an equal number of adult beverages as golf balls that they were attempting to hit. At another hitting bay, the father was banging out balls, while the kids reclined on the comfortable couches exercising their thumbs on their mobile devices. The modern equivalent of, forced family fun! Plus, while all of this was going on, the helpful waiters and waitresses kept their trays, loaded with goodies moving. Bottom-Line I am for anything that will bring more golfers to the sport, but I am not too sure very many of Topgolf’s 10 million visitors will ever slip on a Foot-Joy, step onto a green-grass golf course, or play an 18-hole round. Topgolf is a great place for a party, social gathering or to hang with the family, but it does not meet my criteria as a golf facility. Reminds one more of a bowling alley, than anything resembling golf. That being said, if Topgolf can entice a junior player or a family to take the leap to visit a real golf course, then get me one of those T-Shirts, I am a TOPGOLF FAN!! Ohio Golf Journal