There is a new kind of golf in Scottsdale that is changing the way people see the driving range. TopGolf, an upscale golf entertainment facility that incorporates gaming and golf, is officially open.
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The international company celebrated the grand opening of TopGolf at Riverwalk, its first location in Arizona, with a party Monday, June 9. The party gave guests a chance to try the games as well as the food and experience the atmosphere. TopGolf pulled out all the stops to make it a five star affair. From celebrities including Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald to freshly prepared items off the menu to skydivers landing on the course, TopGolf showed off its fun, upscale atmosphere.
TopGolf uses technology to enhance the game of golf with specific games that focus on different skills. The three-story facility has hundreds of bays, each one with its own equipment, similar to the set-up of a bowling alley. The bays look out onto the course, which contains different colored flags surrounded by circular targets. Using golf balls that are imbedded with microchips, the system can track and record where each ball lands. Each bay is also equipped with golf clubs, touch screens that show the current status of the game, comfortable seating with high-top tables, and a TV with sports on.
There are nine games guests can choose from including TopGolf, the most popular game, in which players score points based on which target they hit or get closest to. The course is set with targets at different increments starting at four targets at 25 yards and going all the way to the back trench at 215 yards. Some of the games are progressive, meaning players start off aiming at the closest targets and work their way to the back targets. While a couple of the games are aimed at practiced golfers, many of the games are designed for both experienced players and those who have never picked up a club to be able to play at the same time.
On the bottom level of the facility is a lounge area with pool tables, couches, and TVs with Xbox Kinect games in which guests can control the animated games, such as golf, using their body without the need for a controller. The second level, which also houses the main entrance, includes a bar and seating area as well as a spacious banquet room and fully equipped kitchen. The top level has a bar and a patio that looks out to the mountains.
Each TopGolf around the world has a common thread but the director of operations work hard to have the surrounding area influence the facility. TopGolf at Riverwalk is the first of the modern facilities to have a slightly different architecture and it will be used as a model for future locations, which are quickly popping up around the country.
TopGolf offers a variety of rates depending on the time of day. The rates are per bay, not on how many people are in the party, making it the perfect outing for a group. The company also has a Lifetime Membership Card for $5 that gives players complimentary club rentals and allows them to track their scores through an online account.
TopGolf is open from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Monday-Thursday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday, and 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday. On Sunday, June 15, TopGolf will be opening early at 8 a.m. For more information on TopGolf, call 480-240-2402 or visit topgolf.com.
