As a former PGA member I was invited to one of the first venues and given some
of the sales numbers. Impressive stats. But as time went on and I watched the growth curve, I expressed concern precisely as is being experienced. Too much, too soon. A symptom of other businesses that have had severe financial challenges as a result, and complete failures with some. Still like the concept of introducing golf to the mainstream and movement from this to the actual game.
The Top Golf near me (Spring, Texas - Houston area) has a constant 2 hour wait on a Friday night. I've met people that work there and they have told me that the bar/restaurant area is always packed on the weekends, regardless if anyone is playing golf or not.
I've been a handful of times and I think it's a great concept but I also find it kinda expensive, meeting a friend and having an overpriced burger and beer in our 2 our time slot works out being more expensive than playing a regular round of golf.
So now it's only something I'd do if I had friends or family visiting from out of town and it's something they wanted to try out.
I would imagine our local Top Golf is down over same year in some part because it was closed for renovations for several weeks. I wonder if this is true for other venues? Anecdotally, I find wait times less when I go with my daughter (my son and I play on course golf). I usually go with her on a weeknight.
Top Golf is a one trick pony. Once a customer experiences it, they return sparingly and if their appreciation for golf advances, they take it to range or course. Even if a customer comes back 2x, the thrill of the experience wanes considerably after that. Very little is fresh or different and does little if anything to differentiate itself and increase customer attraction.
TopGolf has done a dismal job at marketing. Can’t say I’ve ever seen an ad from them when it would be so easy to target golfers via digital media and other means. They’re simply not top-of-mind.
As a former PGA member I was invited to one of the first venues and given some
of the sales numbers. Impressive stats. But as time went on and I watched the growth curve, I expressed concern precisely as is being experienced. Too much, too soon. A symptom of other businesses that have had severe financial challenges as a result, and complete failures with some. Still like the concept of introducing golf to the mainstream and movement from this to the actual game.
The Top Golf near me (Spring, Texas - Houston area) has a constant 2 hour wait on a Friday night. I've met people that work there and they have told me that the bar/restaurant area is always packed on the weekends, regardless if anyone is playing golf or not.
I've been a handful of times and I think it's a great concept but I also find it kinda expensive, meeting a friend and having an overpriced burger and beer in our 2 our time slot works out being more expensive than playing a regular round of golf.
So now it's only something I'd do if I had friends or family visiting from out of town and it's something they wanted to try out.
I would imagine our local Top Golf is down over same year in some part because it was closed for renovations for several weeks. I wonder if this is true for other venues? Anecdotally, I find wait times less when I go with my daughter (my son and I play on course golf). I usually go with her on a weeknight.
Top Golf is a one trick pony. Once a customer experiences it, they return sparingly and if their appreciation for golf advances, they take it to range or course. Even if a customer comes back 2x, the thrill of the experience wanes considerably after that. Very little is fresh or different and does little if anything to differentiate itself and increase customer attraction.
TopGolf has done a dismal job at marketing. Can’t say I’ve ever seen an ad from them when it would be so easy to target golfers via digital media and other means. They’re simply not top-of-mind.