Topgolf
Not even the pandemic could slow down the momentum of Topgolf. Topgolf’s popularity has led to the building of 74 facilities all across the globe for the last two decades, with 67 of them being in the United States. The growth shows several signs of slowing down. Topgolf opened 10 new facilities last year, and the company currently has 9 more under construction in destinations Colorado Springs, Colo.; St. Petersburg, Fla.; and Baltimore.
The National Golf Foundation has credited Topgolf for bringing millions of golfers to the game and helping make it appear more fun, relaxed, and enjoyable. You can do Topgolf casual, which involves whacking balls with your non-golfing friends – or serious ones – by bringing your sticks or taking lessons. The music, food, and drinks help keep the energy up either way. Grab yourself many colors of glow in the dark golf balls and have a great time!
Indoor Simulator Golf
Indoor simulators have been coming up nearly everywhere: gyms, golf clubhouses, casinos, youth sports facilities, bars, and resorts, usually in cooler climates when it’s gloomy and dark throughout the winter.
Some of the most popular brands are X-Golf America and Topgolf Swing Suite. Currently, X-Golf America boasts over 55 locations in more than 30 states with 25 potentially opening up before the end of the year. All of them provide a bar-like experience with food, drinks, and multiple simulators. Party rentals and lessons are available.
Topgolf Swing Suite provides a comfy lounge with a massive screen and multiple games. However, golf is the draw, but throwing footballs and baseballs, blasting hockey slap shots, kicking soccer balls, and playing zombie dodgeballs are too. There are over 75 locations all over America, and many integrate into hotels, bars, resorts, and casinos.
Glow Golf
There are golf clubs of every distinction, from elite private clubs to scruffy munis that host glow golf events annually. They are always good fun. Some of the best experiences involve pins and green lit-up glow sticks, glow balls, short holes that only require walking, and a cocktail. Adding longer clubs and carts only invites potential crashes, injuries, and lost balls into the equation.
Shots in the Night
This is a unique experience situated at Indian Wells Golf Resort in the California desert. It’s what some people would call “destination night golf”. Nights are usually a perfect time to tee up during summer at the Coachella Valley.
The experience in this destination is two-fold: golfers have the option of using the range to swing away in an expansive putting course for mini-golf. While on the range, golfers hit balls designed to glow on contact, aiming at different targets like beach balls and bowling pins that also light up when they are hit. The putting green also comes with an interactive putting course which is created by lasers. A truck serving food and drinks and music help keep the party going.
Lighted driving ranges
Lighted driving ranges are quite popular hangouts for golfers at the night, particularly in warmer locations like Houston, Sacramento, Phoenix where it might get too steamy to play during summer days. However, pleasant evening temperatures in the summer in the Midwest also attract night owls with clubs. If you’re having a bad week, dying to get out, a good session in the after-hours could be a terrific stress reliever. It’s much faster and cheaper than playing nine holes.
Lighted putting greens
With some exceptions, different resorts around the country are investing in new regulation courses. They’re developing large putting short courses and greens for fun, faster, and more affordable golf experiences. Some of the putting greens are usually lit for night play and are a great way to entertain golf enthusiasts of any kind.
This trend seems to have caught on in Wisconsin. The lighted Drumlin course was opened in 2019. This summer, the Geneva National Resort and Club 54-hole course in Lake Geneva is following along, with their debut of the “Dance Floor”. This is a lighted Himalayas-style course that was designed by Craig Haltom with fire features, 27 holes, a bocce ball, an onsite cantina & taco bar, and surround sound speakers.
