Building on Par

Projected to start business this spring, TopGolf International Inc. will open their first golf center in Overland Park. It is known for its climate-controlled driving ranges that allow players to shoot into an outfield of targets. The more accurate a drive is, the more points players are awarded.  It will cost each customer $20 an hour to play on weekdays and $40 during weekends and nights. Customers can also pay for a membership which will cut the price down to $5 per time. TopGolf is the only entertainment center in the area  to offer this unique golf experience.

“TopGolf is a golf entertainment facility that can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels, all year round,” director of TopGolf corporate communications Adrienne Chance, said.

TopGolf is located off of Nall Avenue and Indian Creek Road, east of SM South, in a highly-populated residential area. Because of the potential danger of stray golf balls, 160 to 180 foot poles were installed to hold netting around the outfield.  The poles are about as tall as a 15 story building.

“I’m excited about [TopGolf] because it will be a nice driving range that is close to home,”  senior golfer Lucas Jones said.

In addition to driving ranges, TopGolf will house 3,000 square feet of private event space for corporate, birthday or bachelor or bachelorette parties. The facility will feature multiple bars and a full service restaurant including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

TopGolf was established in 2000 and is based in Dallas, Texas. It serves over 2.7 million customers per year, although nearly half of their customers do not consider themselves golfers, according to Chance.

“Our goal is to really be an entertainment destination and community amenity that anyone can enjoy,” Chance said. “Whether you’re having a date night, you’re bringing your kids for a fun day out or you’re looking for a nightlife scene, we really cater to all audiences.”

The three-level, 65,000 square foot facility will have as many as 102 climate-controlled hitting bays that can each hold up to six players at once. TopGolf provides special golf balls containing computer microchips that track a player’s shot accuracy and distance hit.

“The [microchipped balls] may affect the ball flight and distance of your shot, but shouldn’t affect how you play,” Jones said.

Players hit golf balls into an outfield containing multiple targets. They are awarded different amounts of points  for each section of the target hit. There are also multiple types of games and skill levels players can choose from. Players can choose from a team game, scoring based distance or an individual game. The player with the most points wins. Golf pros will also be available to offer tips and help customers with their technique.

“It’s going to be a fun way to play golf a little more realistically during the winter and when the course is closed because of all the technology they will have involved,” freshman Cal Knabe said.