Many people know the popular sport: golf and although many aren’t as skilled to play in serious games, a certain outdoor golf center gives a new experience to golf. 

In 1997, twin brothers Steve and Dave Jolliffe had sold their mystery shopping business and were looking for a new project in Watford, United Kingdom. Both being golfers, they began complaining about golf’s issues such as the time factor and lackluster driving ranges. Looking to improve the game, Jolliffes looked to the then-new commercial microchip technology and placed it in the golf ball. From this, they designed a new game: TopGolf. 

Once starting to be created, the first TopGolf facility was opened just outside of London in 2000. Once the business started to become popular in the area, the brothers decided to continue opening TopGolfs but outside of their hometown. TopGolf was spread to the United States, Canada and Australia. 

The TopGolf games are played by all ages and skill levels. The golf balls have a microchip which provides players with an instant feedback on their shot’s accuracy and distance. There are multiple games you are able to play. First is TopGolf. Players aim for 11 giant dartboard-like targets. The further the shot goes and the closer to the pin, the more points the player receives. Next, Top Break is where players must hit a red target then a colored target. The higher value colors, the more points awarded. In Top Chip, players hit a red, yellow and green target. Each color has a different point number, but if a player hits the wrong color, points are deducted. Top Shot is similar to Top Chip. You have to hit targets at four consecutive distances (5 points each). Whichever starting target you choose (red, yellow, green or brown) determines the game’s level of difficulty. Lastly, there is Top Pressure. It is an accuracy game in which you need to hit all nine sections within a yellow target. Then, you move on to the second and third level to see the value of points multiply, hit the same section twice on level two and three and points will be deducted from players’ score. 

Cost depends on the times you go. If you go from opening time ( 10 a.m.) to 12 p.m, it is $25/ hour per bay. It is $35 from 12  p.m. to 5 p.m. and $45 from 5 p.m. to closing. Friday and Saturdays are open till 12 a.m. The rest of the week days close at 11 p.m. Their feature amenities are full-service restaurants and bars, over 200 HDTVs, fire pits on rooftops, private event spaces, free Wi-Fi and more than 70 climate controlled hitting bays. To reserve a bay, you visit the TopGolf website and on the top you are given options on what to view. You select “reserve a bay” where you are taken to another page where you are asked what TopGolf location you will be attending. After, it asks the number of people (max capacity of six) that will be playing and date of playing. After that, you are taken to the next page where it asks to reserve 1 bay and you continue from there. They also allow walk-ins but note that there is a possibility for longer waits as they are currently experiencing high demand for reservations due to COVID-19.

I think TopGolf is an extremely enjoyable place to visit. I think the environment is great as well as the workers there. They give you everything you need and want. I think it’s great that they are playing music that current generations enjoy to make it more of a fun activity. Earlier in the year, my friends and I set a reservation for five of us to go golfing. Because of COVID-19, it was canceled for that date. We tried to go on another day because the tickets were already paid for, but we never got to go when we wanted. We tried to get a refund, but we never did. Therefore, I think they should work on their refund policy because I am sure many experienced the same problem as I did and are waiting for their refunds as well 

As you can see, TopGolf is absolutely one of the best places to attend when wanting to have a nice outing. Yes, you can go to a golf court or play putt putt, but I think it is helpful when it scores you without you having to. It’s quite pricey but depending what time you go, you can get cheaper tickets as well as discounts. You can also receive delicious food and drinks and watch tv. I ten out of ten would definitely recommend TopGolf.