As you probably know, TopGolf is the the new and improved bowling alley. It’s hip and fun; best of all, you can eat and drink (lots) with your friends and have a great time.

My opinion might be biased, because this place is like heaven to me, but I think it is the best weekend activity for singles, couples, and families alike.

Considering the cost for renting the bay for an hour or two divided by the number of people that you can bring, it’s relatively cheap compared to bowling or going to the movies.

If you have never been, you are in for a great experience, and will probably find yourself going back quite often.

Before we start: If you wouldn’t mind, please click on the picture to your right (——–>) to see the best golf deal for the day. It’s updated daily, and I’ll get a percentage of the proceeds if you buy anything. It will help me to continue to make helpful articles like this one. Thanks and I hope you enjoy!

 

How to Win at TopGolf

If you are like me, you hate to lose. Doesn’t matter what it is. There is just something about smack talking and whipping up on your friends in a competitive environment.

So, if you really are like me, you might be looking for any advantage that you can get.

What’s that saying, “Knowledge is power”? Well you gonna learn today.

A few quick notes:

• Let’s be real. If you are playing with an incredible golfer, you have nearly 0 odds at winning, as long as he or she even somewhat understands the scoring. Just like if you went bowling with an incredible bowler. They will always have the huge upper hand.
• You need to decide now if you want to have fun and hit to lots of targets or if you are serious about winning. If you really want to win, I’d suggest picking one target and sticking to it. I’ll help you pick that target below.
• Friendships might be on the line here. Beat someone that plays golf regularly and you might lose a friend. But if you are like me, the win is more important. Obviously just kidding.
• This article has some satire in it.
• More importantly than anything else, have fun. Topgolf is my favorite place to go to hang out and goof off with friends.

 

What Type of Golfer are You?

To begin with, we need to determine what type of golfer you are. I’m going to stereotype you with no shame. To make this guide as effective as possible, just accept the truth and go along with it.

• Complete Beginner: You are a complete beginner, or you might as well be. You fit this title if you a) haven’t picked up a club before or b) play as if you have never picked up a club before. You have god awful hand coordination skills and you probably haven’t played many sports in your life, for good reason. I know, I’m being harsh. You swing and miss at times and you are happy if you just get it off the tee.
• Non-golfer Athlete: You, too are a beginner, but you played a few years of softball, basketball, baseball, maybe football. You consider yourself pretty talented athletically, and you have a good feeling you can hit the ball decently far compared to other beginners. You can probably somewhat dictate  where the ball goes.
• Weekend Duffer: No, not Dufner, as in Jason Dufner. You play golf sometimes, anywhere from 10-30 times a year. You probably shoot anywhere from 90-110, but you like to consider yourself a golfer. Hell, you might even bring your golf bag to intimidate people. The truth is, though, that you are glad if you get it in any part of the target you are trying to hit at TopGolf. You can only hit the back target after a few rolls and bounces. You like to stick to your 150 yard club.
• Mid Handicapper: You have your days. You shoot in the 80’s typically, but you have seen the 70’s and 90’s as well lately. You consider yourself a pretty good ball striker and don’t plan to get beat by anyone unless you are playing with a serious golfer. The mom’s think you are the cool guy because you have a good golf swing and kids like to watch you hit. You can hit it into the far back wall with one bounce or in the air if you catch it right.
• Serious Golfer: You don’t mess around. You shoot in the 70’s or lower, and everyone knows it. You are probably the “golf guy” at school or work, and you are going to be visually upset if you hit a bad shot, so that everyone knows you don’t mess up often. When people see your first golf swing, they will find a way to watch each one after that. People that walk to the bathroom and pass by your hitting bay? Yeah, they slow down a little. You can hit to the back fence (215ish yards away) in the air without any bounces. People probably joke and ask if you can hit it outside of the entire facility (you can’t).

Alright, now I can help you determine what your strategy should be and which games you should play, based on your stereotype. Man, stereotyping is really a powerful thing.

This article is going to be EXTREMELY LONG, but from now on, I am going to put TL/DR’s (too long, didn’t read) or summaries at the end of each section. Read those if you are at TopGolf right now (I’m jealous) and need to know which game to play!

 

Best TopGolf Game and Strategy for a Complete Beginner

I am going to assume that, on average, the people you are playing with are better than you. With that being said, if you read this section, YOU will be more knowledgeable than them if go in with a strategy.

When you are picking which game to play, someone will say “should we just start out with the basic game?” You will say “No, I’ve heard that (insert one of the three games below) is way more fun!”

If you think they will disagree, just pick the game and start it as soon as possible. They probably won’t want to go through the hassel of arguing and changing the game. I know, I should be ashamed.

As a general strategy, pick group games (two mentioned below) if you want to best odds to win. But if you want to show everyone off by yourself, I’ve got one for you too.

Why not the normal/standard TopGolf game? Because, no matter what you do, you can’t reach the fence or the two furthest targets, which make your next shot double. So if you play with someone that CAN reach those, they will have a big advantage. So, no, don’t play the standard TopGolf game if you are wanting to win.

If you do get stuck playing the standard TopGolf game, aim for the center of the green and hope to get somewhere in that area. Anything in yellow or green will do a lot of good. Find a club that you are comfortable with, and keep using it. Star with a 7 iron if you need everything handed to you, and remember to always tee it up to make it easier to make good contact.

Choose “Quick Nine Novice” If Everyman for Themselves

If you want to go every man for him/herself, stick with Quick 9 Novice. This game only uses the three closest target colors (typically red, yellow, and green). You can probably reach even the furthest one (green) if you hit it decently well.

Grab that club that simply calls you name. That’s right, listen to your heart. Want the big club (driver)? Great go for it. The 5 iron just sounds right for you? Yes, I love it.

If you drab the driver and are hitting it too far, go down to a hybrid club or even a 5 or 7 iron.

Aim directly in between the yellows. You will probably mishit it severely, but you might end up hitting it into red or yellow, or green if you are lucky.

If you keep missing right or left consistently, simply aim the other way with your feet, body, and club to adjust, and swing the same as before. You are not trying to build a better golf swing, you are trying to win this game.

If someone is trying to tell you how you should fix your swing, don’t listen. They are simply trying to asset their dominance and mess with your head. You don’t care about the golf swing, you care about kicking some BUTT. So keep doing what you are doing and adjust only your aim.

Choose “Top Contender Team” if You Have a Good Partner

If you have a good parter compared to the others you are playing with, go with Top Contender Team. In this game, the best score on each ball within your team counts.

So, if on ball one, you get 3 points and your partner gets 8 points, the 8 points will be the one that counts for ball 1 for your team. Your goal should be to try to contribute as much as possible, but just know that your partner’s score will probably be used the majority of the time.

Those than can hit in a target past the red and before the back fence will get double points on their next shot. But you can do that! And your partner can too if he is any good. This game is great if you are playing against someone that wants to hit it to the back fence, because they might not realize they don’t get double points for that.

For you personally (not your teammate), your best strategy would be to aim right in the middle of the two yellow targets and swing away. You are hoping to hit somewhere in the green but you will be pleased with anywhere in the yellows too.

It doesn’t matter too much which club you use, as the ball rolls a ton anyway. Just find one that you are comfortable with. And if you need more or less distance, adjust to a shorter (Wedge, 9 iron, 8 irons) or longer (driver, 3 wood, hybrid, 5 iron) club.

On the 20th ball, tell your partner to go for the brown, blue, white, or back fence, as they will get triple points. It could all come down to the last shot!

Choose” Top Scramble” If You Have a GREAT Partner

If you have a GREAT partner, play Top Scramble. Similar to the last game, the best score within your team for each ball counts.

You can sit back and relax while your incredible golfing partner (and yourself) will get rewarded highly for long shots that find their way into a target. For example, a good drive in the middle of the back fence will net your team 75 points.

Your best strategy would be to aim in between the yellows. Hopefully you can hit the green, a yellow, or a red. Your score will count if your great partner hits a poor shot on his ball. One point could be the difference between winning and losing! But still, just have some fun.

Tell your partner to hit it to the back fence or at least in the furthest target (white).

TL/DR for absolute beginners at TopGolf:

• playing normal game? Aim in the middle of green
• keep missing one way? adjust aim only
• play Quick 9 novice if you want to play alone
• play Top Contender Team if your partner is pretty good
• play Top Scramble if your partner is incredible
• For the three games above, aim right in the middle of the yellows, hopefully you will find one or even the green if you are lucky.
• If you are right infront of a yellow, aim for the middle of it.

 

Best TopGolf Game for a Non-golfer Athlete

If you have never or hardly never played golf, but you consider yourself pretty athletic, consider one of these two games. Remember, though, you are still a beginner.

I’m going to assume that you are one of the better golfers in your group, but that maybe there are 1 or 2 slightly better ones.

It might take you one warm-up game to determine what you are more comfortable with, medium range shots or short shots.

If you get stuck playing the standard game,  find the club that you hit right in between the yellow and the green target. Try to his that spot as often as possible, as you can find the green and yellow the majority of the time. The ball will often bounce once into the center section of the green.

If you can hit it further than that easily, try to hit it right between the brown and blue targets. That way, you can hopefully find one of them, or it might even run into the furthest white target for a minimum of 7 points. And if you really mishit it, hopefully you will end up in the green or yellow, which are less points but better than nothing.

If you are more comfortable with short shots, play TopPressure. This game only uses the yellow targets. You have to try to hit as many different section of the yellow that you can.

Considering the size of the section, and considering your athletic ability, I think this is your best bet at beating the better golfers in your group. I would start with a 9 iron and adjust as needed. Go to a wedge or make a smaller swing if you are hitting it too far.

Unless your friends are CRAZY good, they won’t be able to pick and choose exactly which portion of the yellow target they are hitting, so it leaves much more room for luck.

I consider myself a serious golfer, and I’ve even been beaten by some complete novices at this game due to a few bad shots on my part and some luck for them.

Aim for the very center of the yellow and hope that you don’t hit the same section twice, because you only get points for hitting different sections.Don’t be afraid to let it roll or bounce into a few sections. This can often times be a great strategy.

If you are more comfortable with longer shots (you think you can hit the green target consistently), play the Quick 9 Novice game. As long as you can find the yellow and green the majority of the time, it should be a relatively close game.

Aim for the middle of the green target, as the ball should find its way in a yellow or green if you hit it decently. Hit whatever you are comfortable with. If you are pretty long off the tee, hit just an iron (7 iron is a good one to start with). If you keep hitting it too long, go down to a shorter club. Thanks, Captain Obvious!

TL/DR for non-golfer athletes:

• playing standard game? aim in between the yellows or at the center of the green target
• if you can hit it further, aim between blue and brown
• if you like shorter shots like to the yellow, play Top Pressure
• if you like longer shots like to the green, play Quick 9 Novice

 

Best TopGolf Game for a Weekend Duffer

Alright, guy-that-wears-a-glove-and-brings-his-clubs-to-TopGolf, if you really want to win, I’ve got some tips for you.

The normal TopGolf game is actually a great pick for you. If you can hit it to the brown, blue, and while targets easily, then this is the best bet for winning.

I would stick with the blue or brown target (or right in between them) and really try to dial it in.

For whichever one you choose, find the club that you hit on average to the center and find a rhythm.

Hopefully, you are playing with a guy that is trying to rip it to the back fence that keeps on missing and getting 0 points. It’s not worth trying to rip it back there, because there is a negligible benefit of the back fence versus a blue or white target. The risk is not worth it.

If you come to a situation where you can pick the game, pick Top Shot Intermediate. It is a game that includes only medium ranged targets, but you get penalized for hitting it in the wrong target. You, as a weekend duffer, can probably pick and hit these large targets pretty consistently. Your friends, however, probably can’t choose exactly which target they hit, as they rely on the ball luckily rolling into one.

TL/DR for weekend duffer:

• normal game is good for you
• 1) stick to either the brown or blue target or 2) aim right in between
• dial it in
• pick Top Shot Intermediate if you want to kick some tail

 

Best TopGolf Game for a Mid Handicapper

Similar to the weekend duffer, the normal TopGolf game is pretty good for you, too. I’d skip out on trying to hit it to the back fence, even though you can. Stick with the white or blue target, whichever on you are most comfortable with. That way, even when you hit a few bad shots, the ball should find one target or another. Your buddy swinging for the fences will definitely miss a good bit and end up with 0 points for those balls.

The key for you to win is to keep racking up the number of “your next shot is worth double”. Do this by hitting anywhere in the blue or white. You can get double points for other spots too, but stick to these for the most points. Just find the right club and dial it in.

If you want to win for sure, play TopScore. It rewards hitting the ball far. I would aim for the white target the whole time. However, if you feel confident with your driver, feel free to try to hit the center back fence for 75 points.

If you really just want to demolish your friends and make them feel bad, play TopDrive. This game penalizes shots that end up in targets shorter than the white target. You can only get points for hitting the white or back fence targets. Warning: this is a huge douche move. Wouldn’t suggest unless you want there to be some tension in the group.

TL/DR for a middle handicap golfer:

• normal TopGolf is fine for you
• stick with the white or blue target only
• Like hitting it far? play TopScore
• Want to make your friends cry? Play TopDrive

 

Best TopGolf Game for a Serious Golfer

Any game. That’s right. If you are a TRUE serious golfer, and somewhat pay attention to which game you are playing, you shouldn’t have any trouble, no matter which game you play. If you hit targets pretty consistently, especially ones further away, you’ll win in practically every game except the ones that only deal with short targets.

If you are playing the normal game, aim at the white or blue target, which ever one you are more comfortable with. If you are feeling solid with your driver, feel free to rip some to the back fence for maximum points and cool factor.

The absolute best game for you would be TopShot Advanced, as it requires you to hit different targets that are far away. If you hit the wrong target, you get penalized. Not many golfers can do this, so you have a large advantage.

TL/DR for Serious Golfers:

• any game is fine
• stick with blue, white, and back fence targets
• do what you are most comfortable doing.
• Solid driver of the ball? Stick with back fence. Better iron player? Stick with white.
• Want to absolutely kick butt? Play TopShot Advanced

Thanks for reading! If you have any comments please leave them below. I’d love to hear about your strategy when you play TopGolf!