By: Troy Aubut
A Topgolf entertainment complex will be opening this winter just 10 minutes away from campus. Located on 5444 Greenwich Road, the range will offer fun job opportunities and a new experience
to anyone interested. But what exactly is Topgolf?
Topgolf is pretty much golf with a twist. Instead of spending a whole day driving around a range hitting golf balls around, you spend time with friends and family in a personal bay hitting golf balls at targets. Think of darts, except you’re using golf balls and a field with several targets from 20 yards to 240 yards out. It’s a combination of a bowling atmosphere and a driving range complete with games and challenges.
The idea came from two brothers in North London, England. Since a typical range is unable to tell you how close or how far away your golf ball is from the flag, the brothers found a method of doing so. With the help of technology, all the golf balls at the complex have microchips that allow the targets to read the distance and accuracy of your shot. Because of this, Topgolf has helped professional golf players to practice their hits and improve on their game while helping amateurs learn to hit better or just have a great time.
There are 7 unique games to play alone or with others that challenge you to secure the highest score, have the best accuracy, hit the farthest, etc. The different types of games utilize each target’s distance and can either make a game go by quickly and easily or be long and challenging. The best part about Topgolf is that it’s for any skill level and it can be played during any time of the year.
There is a mandatory, one-time fee of $5 to have a lifetime membership to play. The membership also provides you with a playing card and free golf club rentals, or you can opt to bring your own clubs if you want. You will also be able to play at almost every Topgolf complex around the U.S. and in the U.K. with the membership. The card is necessary as it tracks your score history from all of the games that you’ve played.
There are two levels of bays in the complex that are paid for at an hourly rate. Each climate-controlled bay includes up to six players, with prices starting at $25 from opening to noon,
$35 from noon to 5 p.m. and $45 from 5 p.m to closing. So, if you decide to go with five other friends and split the cost, the whole price will come out to less than $10 a person no matter the time of day.
Because of the new location in Virginia Beach, Topgolf is offering a pre-opening Platinum Membership that comes with a plethora of benefits if the membership is paid for before Dec. 20, 2015. For $250 a month, the Platinum Membership provides the buyer with unlimited play at certain times during the week, a grand opening party and a 10 percent discount on food and non-alcoholic drinks, among many other benefits. You can also purchase gift cards which are perfect for the holiday season.
Even if your company isn’t interested in hitting golf balls, the atmospheres of the bays are meant to be used as social gatherings and hangout spots. There will also be pool tables, interactive games and other activities in the complex to keep most entertained.
The foods and drinks on the menu are offered at reasonable prices, with most meals ranging from $7 to $15 at the most. There is a wide selection of meals to choose from within various categories of appetizers, snacks, salads, flatbreads, burgers, sliders and desserts.
When the new complex opens, there will likely be more information on the website regarding tournaments, events and golf lessons, most of which are offered at other locations. If you are interested in a career opportunity, you can visit the website at topgolf.com/us/company/careers/ and apply for various open positions. You can also sign up for some recruitment events as well.
Topgolf will be a place to go to and enjoy with family and friends this holiday season when it finally opens up. It will definitely be a place to check out, and it will offer a one-of-a-kind experience for people of all ages and skill-levels.
