TopGolf.....at Private Clubs

[Ryan Hillenbrand]

At my parent's club a consultant from the McMahon group is pitching them on the idea of a Top Golf-like facility as part of a master plan, the goal being to make country club membership more attractive to millennials. Anyone know of a club that's done this, and its reception?

Aside from the astounding cost, I don't see the crossover. As a Gen X'er I see myself trying Top Golf a few times and that's it - like bowling. As a real golfer I'd rather be on the course.

What say you?

[Paul Jones]

The people they are trying to attract are not on this website.  I would see this as more of a Social Membership: Tennis, Swim and TopGolf - people who don't want to spend 4 hours playing golf in a cart/walking.  This way, it is easier to get family/kids/spouses to join in at night or late evening or even Saturday morning.

[Rory Connaughton]

I part of the concept to make it part of the winter teaching program as well? We have considered an indoor simulator facility as a tool to keep people engaged with the golf program throughout the winter.

[Josh Tarble]

I'm with you, it would never take place of actual golf.  But if it was a family-friendly atmosphere, could entertain myself and kids for a few hours in evenings, and was open year-round, I'd be all for it.  I could easily see the concept being a very appealing option if you were looking into clubs, however, I can also see it being very, very expensive.  Part of TopGolf's appeal is it's pricing. 

[corey miller]

Where is the club located Ryan?

The McMahon group charges for this type of advice?

[Kalen Braley]

I'm with you, it would never take place of actual golf.  But if it was a family-friendly atmosphere, could entertain myself and kids for a few hours in evenings, and was open year-round, I'd be all for it.  I could easily see the concept being a very appealing option if you were looking into clubs, however, I can also see it being very, very expensive.  Part of TopGolf's appeal is it's pricing.

Josh,


When you factor in horse play, glitches, drinking beer, setup time between games, taking food orders, etc....its far less efficient than advertised.  I hate to say it but the people who its meant for are the worst ones to go with.  Taking 5 practice swings, laughing in between each one before 2 minutes later they finally dribble one 50 yards ....

[BHoover]

I'm with you, it would never take place of actual golf.  But if it was a family-friendly atmosphere, could entertain myself and kids for a few hours in evenings, and was open year-round, I'd be all for it.  I could easily see the concept being a very appealing option if you were looking into clubs, however, I can also see it being very, very expensive.  Part of TopGolf's appeal is it's pricing.

Josh,


When you factor in horse play, glitches, drinking beer, setup time between games, taking food orders, etc....its far less efficient than advertised.  I hate to say it but the people who its meant for are the worst ones to go with.  Taking 5 practice swings, laughing in between each one before 2 minutes later they finally dribble one 50 yards ....

Great point. How dare people attempt to have fun and enjoy themselves.

[PCCraig]

At my parent's club a consultant from the McMahon group is pitching them on the idea of a Top Golf-like facility as part of a master plan, the goal being to make country club membership more attractive to millennials. Anyone know of a club that's done this, and its reception?

Aside from the astounding cost, I don't see the crossover. As a Gen X'er I see myself trying Top Golf a few times and that's it - like bowling. As a real golfer I'd rather be on the course.

What say you?

The people at McMahon Group are complete morons.

[Josh Tarble]

I'm with you, it would never take place of actual golf.  But if it was a family-friendly atmosphere, could entertain myself and kids for a few hours in evenings, and was open year-round, I'd be all for it.  I could easily see the concept being a very appealing option if you were looking into clubs, however, I can also see it being very, very expensive.  Part of TopGolf's appeal is it's pricing.

Josh,


When you factor in horse play, glitches, drinking beer, setup time between games, taking food orders, etc....its far less efficient than advertised.  I hate to say it but the people who its meant for are the worst ones to go with.  Taking 5 practice swings, laughing in between each one before 2 minutes later they finally dribble one 50 yards ....

I don't go to TopGolf for efficient golf.  If I wanted to practice I'd go to a real range.  I go to TopGolf to incorporate golf into hanging out with people that don't like golf.  It's amazing.  I've never had any semblance of a bad time at a TopGolf.

[Kalen Braley]

Josh and Brian,


No offense guys, I just didn't agree with TopGolfs appeal being its pricing.


P.S.  To date, I've played with 4 people who are non-golfers, and they still have zero interest in actual golf, but I won't give up on them. 

[Jason Thurman]

When you factor in horse play, glitches, drinking beer, setup time between games, taking food orders, etc....its far less efficient than advertised.  I hate to say it but the people who its meant for are the worst ones to go with.  Taking 5 practice swings, laughing in between each one before 2 minutes later they finally dribble one 50 yards ....

I've been to TopGolf many times. I've had no issues with horse play, have found it very easy to correct scoring errors using the game's simple touchscreen interface, and have never played with anyone who had trouble with the "drink beer between turns, and be ready when it's your turn" rule of ready-TopGolf. Setup time between games takes about 10 seconds, and ordering food is as simple as saying "I'll have the chicken and waffle sliders and an ice cold glass of craft." Maybe you need new friends?


As for the idea of TopGolf at a private club, I agree with Pat. Only in the golf industry would somebody see a casual and affordable entertainment experience and decide to try to sell a stuffier, shittier version of it for about 30x the price. You guys know the old saying: Why pay a $20,000 initiation fee and $500 a month for the cow when you can get the milk for $40 once every few weeks?

[Ian Mackenzie]

At my parent's club a consultant from the McMahon group is pitching them on the idea of a Top Golf-like facility as part of a master plan, the goal being to make country club membership more attractive to millennials. Anyone know of a club that's done this, and its reception?

Aside from the astounding cost, I don't see the crossover. As a Gen X'er I see myself trying Top Golf a few times and that's it - like bowling. As a real golfer I'd rather be on the course.

What say you?

An interesting question would be to ask the McMahon Group if Top Golf pays them at all for the ...ah...."distribution help"...?...

[Ryan Hillenbrand]

Where is the club located Ryan?

The McMahon group charges for this type of advice?

St. Louis. Needless to say my 70 yr old parents aren't sold on it

[PCCraig]

Where is the club located Ryan?

The McMahon group charges for this type of advice?

St. Louis. Needless to say my 70 yr old parents aren't sold on it

One of the McMahon's came to my club last year and gave a presentation and noted that "golf is dying", and the main point of reason was that he personally only has time for a few rounds a year at Bellerive. If the guy had looked at the stats from the Golf Operation, he would have seen huge growth in rounds played over the past 10 years at the Club. He thought the club really needed a huge fitness center and a bunch of space for millennials to sip cappuccinos and work a la an in-club Starbucks.


You really can't make this stuff up... To think that clubs waste even a cent on these people is unbelievable.

[Carl Johnson]

My advice to the club, and this is free advice, is to go instead for one of those miniature golf set-ups like you see at Myrtle Beach (and other places, I suppose).  Maybe it could have a "meet me at the fair" theme, or a beer theme, or whatever (St. Louis appropriate).  You are welcome.

[Mike_Trenham]

McMahon Group is anti-golf and pro-f&b.  Buyer beware.

[Mike_Young]

At my parent's club a consultant from the McMahon group is pitching them on the idea of a Top Golf-like facility as part of a master plan, the goal being to make country club membership more attractive to millennials. Anyone know of a club that's done this, and its reception?

Aside from the astounding cost, I don't see the crossover. As a Gen X'er I see myself trying Top Golf a few times and that's it - like bowling. As a real golfer I'd rather be on the course.

What say you?

The people at McMahon Group are complete morons.

MCMAHON WILL BREAK A PLACE VIA CLUBHOUSE ADDITIONS AND ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE OF GOLF....they advertise mucho with club managers and if not mistaken they own the magazine....

As for a Topgolf type experience at clubs....I do think we will see more bar type areas with TV, sofas and hitting bays and teaching center type atmosphere where people will hang....guys may have an hour or two when they don't have four and if you have evr seen what college football does to golf in the south it would be a good way to mix the two...

[BCowan]

https://youtu.be/uR2TpnuvwLk


There was a Northern Ohio course that used them. New pool and renovated clubhouse. Sprinkler system needed to be replaced as is costing large amounts annually to patch.  Affluent club that has accumulated so much debt and that group might bury them next downturn.  RUN LIKE HELL if they come to your club.

[Dave Doxey]

Did you get any indication of the COST of building a TopGolf facility at your club?  Beyond the means of most clubs, I'd imagine.

[Wade Whitehead]

I know a couple of clubs have simulators.

Is that what they might be talking about?

WW

[Kalen Braley]

This is Topgolf.  Yea shouldn't be too expensive to build with the annual assessment!!   

[Kalen Braley]

In practice, it looks closer to this.


One douchey guy hitting topped balls and everyone else knocking back a few and figuring out who they're gonna hook up with later..

[Ryan Farrow]

Millennials are never going to join country clubs. I thought everyone knew this already. No?

[Ryan Hillenbrand]

I know a couple of clubs have simulators.

Is that what they might be talking about?

WW

From what I understand the plan is to take a portion of the driving range and build heated bays with couches, TVs, its own bar area and cocktail servers. Not so sure it involves the actual target devices and such. Definitely sold as a target to millennials as a place to hang outside the norm of conventional club life.

To echo earlier comments. if I was interested in Top Golf I'd just go there.

[Michael George]

Not sure that the Top Golf concept will be copied at private clubs. 

However, parts of its concept may be incorporated, especially at a club's golf range.  See Pikewood National's range.  They have tables and chairs behind the range where you can eat/drink.  They have 70s rock playing at the range.  Very laid back atmosphere where some can practice while others just eat and drink and listen to music.