As a Seattle-area golfer, I have to admit to suffering a bit of FOMO when it comes to the increasingly popular high-tech Topgolf driving ranges springing up around the country. For those unfamiliar, they’re like glitzy bowling alleys with flashy targets, RFID-enabled balls and computer screens to track their flight, all letting you play a variety of games along with monitoring all sorts of stats like driving distance. But my fear of missing out has been a bit allayed thanks to the new Toptracer Range system that quietly debuted at Seattle’s Puetz Golf Superstore this week. Toptracer Range, owned by… Read More
Golf isn’t the most popular sport, but Topgolf is certainly doing its part to change that perception. The growing sports entertainment company operates more than 30 driving-range-meets-bowling-alley entertainment facilities — with 11 more soon to open — that feature 6-person hitting bays with microchipped trackable golf balls, along with food, drink, TV screens, free WiFi, and much more. Technology is a key part of the Topgolf experience — from the balls with RFID chips to the Protracer cameras — and that’s why we’re excited to hear from Topgolf co-chairman and CEO Erik Anderson at the GeekWire Sports Tech Summit on June 21-22 in Seattle at CenturyLink Field. Anderson, who… Read More
A leading NFL executive; a mobile ticketing guru; an eSports innovator; a sports science expert; a women’s basketball legend; the CEO of a sports media entertainment company; a top football reporter; and much more. The second annual GeekWire Sports Tech Summit is shaping up to be another action-packed event that brings together leaders across the sports technology landscape — ranging from data science to sports marketing to virtual reality to fan engagement to wearables and more — on June 21-22 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. There are only 350 tickets available for this much-anticipated event, which also includes fantastic networking opportunities from attendees… Read More
Seattleites got a taste of Topgolf this weekend at Safeco Field. Topgolf, the high-tech golf entertainment complex operator, brought a “pop-up” version of its driving range-meets-bowling-alley concept to Seattle on President’s Day weekend. It is the company’s first-ever “Crush” event, which lets people experience what Topgolf is all about in cities that don’t have a permanent Topgolf facility. GeekWire checked out the action on Friday evening. We entered Safeco Field, home of the Seattle Mariners, on the 200-level at the First Base Terrace Club, where Topgolf set up several pods on top of the stadium seats for attendees to take golf shots and aim at six… Read More
Topgolf is coming to Seattle — but only temporarily. The fast-growing high-tech golf entertainment complex operator will take over Safeco Field next month with its first-ever “Crush” event that will give Seattleites a taste of Topgolf. Akin to retailers opening temporary “pop-up” stores often used to test new concepts or new markets, Topgolf Crush will give customers an idea of the full Topgolf experience. Topgolf operates more than 30 facilities across the country that are built around a driving range-meets-bowling-alley concept with microchipped golf balls, allowing people to aim at targets and earn points while enjoying drinks and food. From Feb. 17-20, Topgolf will set up… Read More
