I had seen the 170 foot tall mesh fences in several cities. I just did not want to show off my poor game at those TopGolf locations which are sprouting up around the country and around the world (the company was founded in the UK).
So, I grudgingly accepted the invite from ASUG during SAP Sapphire week for a reception at the Orlando location. Turns out there is way more than golf at these venues. They are hives of social activity often with as many as 1,500 customers. There is a 50 table restaurant. A 3,000 sq. ft roof terrace. A room with several pool tables. Nearly 300 flat screen TVs. The whole space covers 65,000 square feet. On this evening, one of the sponsors, SNP publicized its Bluefield approach to S/4HANA migrations by serving a drink made with Blue Curacao. And donuts you could inject with sugary fluids. The video below describes the syringes and the location in more detail.
The place is not just for grown ups. Don't take my word for it. Kyle Fish, a 6th grader says "I love Top Golf because I'm able to hang out with my family & friends and they have great food."
He took his mom, Stacey Fish and his sister Audrey, a 8th grader to TopGolf for Mother's Day.
Most patrons, of course, are there for the golf. They are hitting balls from over hundred bays. Each bay can hold 6 players. 600 players hitting balls at the same time calls for a lot of technology. Each specially designed golf ball has a RFID chip which ties it to each player. The field has circular zones with nets and RFID readers. The distance of the shot (the zones are 20 feet to over 200 feet ahead of you) and how close you get to the center of a zone determines the points you earn. No scorecards or pencils required - the scores are reported to your console and recorded on your digital membership. Instant feedback. No cheating.
This location was open till midnight. Others are open till 2 am. You can play rain or shine from the comfort of your bay. Who needs golf courses and waiting impatiently for others to tee off? Who needs to lug the cart in the blazing heat or biting cold?
Of course, Audrey says it even better: "the food at Top Golf is delicious and you don't have to love golf to enjoy the experience."
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