Frigid February weekend mornings are when we miss hitting the links the most. Thankfully, indoor-outdoor golf megaplex Topgolf’s new Cleveland location gives us the chance to shake the winter rust off with 11 driving range-based games, a full bar and kitchen and a lot of fun. Topgolf Cleveland director of operations John Lesieutre gives us the play-by-play on a few of the location’s can’t-miss features.
Games
This isn’t your old man’s driving range. Tee off from one of Topgolf’s 102 bays and take aim at targets that are between 25 and 215 yards away. Based on which of the 11 games you play, there’s something for every skill level; standard Topgolf gives you points for any target you hit, while Topshot requires you to hit targets in ascending order of distance. “We want it to be everybody’s game,” says Lesieutre. “Your 3-year-old can poke that ball into a target, and it’s like the coolest thing ever.”
Leagues
Think you’re a pro? Gather your group and test your mettle in one of Topgolf’s two weekly league formats in teams of two, or four to six. Teams play two to three of Topgolf’s 11 games each week for six weeks, which is followed by a two-week playoff. “It’s getting people to do something every week to get together,” says Lesieutre. “It’s competitive, but it’s also fun.”
Lessons
Whether you’re a novice or would-be John Daly, Topgolf offers lessons. From individual to group sessions (which include a shareable appetizer and a drink for each person), the pros at Topgolf will (at least attempt) to get you ready to dominate, whether you’re looking to get better on the real course or in one of the spot’s driving games. “We want people to feel that golf is not intimidating,” says Lesieutre. “It can be if you’re trying to play nine holes for the first time in your life. Here, you can learn how to swing a club properly.”
