One of the main reasons we go to the driving range is to practice and work on different aspects of our golf game when we are not playing a round of golf. What you typically find at your local driving range is either artificial grass mats and grass tees, some flag sticks at different distances, but that’s about it. Nothing special at all.
What if there was a driving range that offered more than just what your typical driving range has to offer? A place where you can go hang out, grab a bite to eat, get fitted for golf clubs, and track each of your shots to give you a accurate measurement. Sounds too good to be true? It’s called TopGolf and their are three across the U.S. (Chicago, Dallas, Alexandria) and three in the United Kingdom (Chigwell, Surrey, Watford). I had the opportunity to check out TopGolf Chicago, right in my backyard to find out what it’s all about.
More Than Just a Driving Range
TopGolf is more than just a driving range-it’s a sports entertainment complex that combines games and great food for year-round enjoyment with your friends and family. What sets TopGolf apart from your local driving range is that each golf ball has an embedded microchip in it that is assigned to you, so you can keep track of how far and accurate your shots went, while playing any of their golf games, which earn you points for hitting the specified targets.
In order to to take advantage of this amazing technology you need to get a Membership ID card from the front desk so you can then get your golf balls from the ball dispenser. When you insert your card into the ball dispenser machine, you select how many games (20 balls for a game) you want to play and each ball gets scanned with your information. The cost to play one game of TopGolf is anywhere from $3.50 – $6 per game for 20 golf balls, depending on the time of day. This is a little pricey, compared to the number of golf balls you get at your local driving range, but none them will provide you with the amount of shot information (tracking and accuracy), like at TopGolf. What’s really cool is that the system keeps track of your scoring accuracy and handicap at TopGolf over the lifetime of your card. Now your ready to play one of the many fun games at TopGolf!
Top Pressure
One of my favorite games you can play is called Top Pressure, which is similar to the dart game Cricket. Each player is Top Pressure hits five golf balls into a a recessed target (25 yards in diameter) that is 50 yards away, with the goal of trying to close out all nine slots/subsections the quickest. The great thing about this game is that it really forces you to work on your short game accuracy and distance control, which is something you probably don’t do when you go to your normal driving range. Let’s face it practicing your 50 yard wedges shots can become very monotonous after ten or so balls, and Top Pressure makes it entertaining without realizing your getting practice in.
What if you just want to practice and not play any games? The more serious golfer who wants to practice without scoring points, but wants to track distance and accuracy can play “Top Practice”. This is a great for when your going to the range by yourself.
The Technology Behind The Targets
Each target is 25 yards in diameter, about the size of your typical golf green which vary in distance from 25-250 yards. The targets are then sectioned into quadrants similar to a dart board that each have a ID Ball Scanner, which registers back to the computer screen in the golf suite, every time your ball lands into the quadrant. The ID Ball Scanner also tracks each ball to the specific hitting bay and player. This is a very highly sophisticated system, that you won’t find at your local driving range.
Full Service Driving Range and Entertainment Complex
TopGolf Chicago has a lot to offer than just playing golf games and practice facility, it also has a full service golf pro shop carrying the latest equipment and apparel from Nike Golf, Callaway Golf, TaylorMade Golf, Ping Golf, and more. You’d be very hard pressed to find a driving range that offers such a great selection on equipment.
Golf Lessons
TopGolf Chicago also offers a golf academy that provides private lessons that utilize Trackman technology a groundbreaking golf ball tracking system which shows the exact path of your shot and gives you instant feedback such as spin rate, launch angle, club speed and much more at reasonable pricing. Rates vary based on number of lessons starting at $115 and up. If your not ready for private instruction, TopGolf does offer group classes from $10-$25 that meet daily that include instruction from TopGolf Academy Professional.
Club Fitting
It’s vary rare to be able to buy a set of golf clubs that fit your swing without any customization to the manufacturers stock setup. TopGolf can assist you in the process of getting fit into the right set of golf clubs with their full service club fitting. Getting fit at TopGolf includes being able to see your entire ball flight and being able to test out clubs from their massive demo inventory and fitting carts from TaylorMade, Nike, Ping, Callaway, and Tour Edge. TopGolf utilizes the latest in club fitting technology like Trackman. One of the best features of Trackman is the ability to go through a fitting or practice session and produce a report that showcases the shots you have hit in a very user friendly format.
Food & Entertainment
TopGolf has quite a few other unique features, like a full service restaurant Fore Seasons Bar & Grill where you can order from a great selection of food and beverages and have it delivered to your golf suite. The food is really good and very reasonable for the money and I loved the fact that I didn’t have to leave the golf suite to enjoy the amazing food, like the Grilled Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Fries. If you’re done playing or practicing for the day you can head over to one of the bar or lounge and watch sports on one of the many flat screen televisions.
If your looking to entertain an important client or have a holiday party, TopGolf has private party space available to rent out. One space is the Executive Suites that has a private climate controlled hitting bays, lounge chairs, and fireplace that can be used year-round.
Miniature Golf
Not up for playing TopGolf, you can always practice your putting skills at the TopRocks 18-Hole miniature golf course that features several waterfalls and water features, fun for the entire family.
Events
TopGolf Chicago also has daily and weekly events. Every Wednesday night in September from 7Pm-9PM is Girls Night Out that includes a membership card, several games of TopGolf, golf tips, and three drink tickets, and more for only $30. There always seem to be a lot going on at TopGolf, so you want check out their monthly calendar for these awesome events and more.
Overall, I was really blown away by the amount of services and amenities offered at one location and wish I had checked out TopGolf Chicago sooner. If your not lucky enough to live in a part of the country that has a TopGolf facility, more being scheduled to be built. So you’ll be able to experience what is what I consider to be the ultimate golf driving range and entertainment facility based around golf.
Visit TopGolf Chicago for more information.
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