Opinion & Analysis
The Future of Golf Might Not Involve Grass
What if I told you that in the future, golf will not be played on grass? Surely you’d call me crazy, but we’re slowly approaching that reality each day.
For centuries, the golf industry has been defined by green-grass facilities, but that definition is now changing. In 2017, golf is seeing some of its fastest growth from non-green-grass segments, including golf-entertainment venues like Top Golf, training centers like Peak Golf Fitness (Washington, D.C.) and The Golf Lab (Toronto), and private clubs like Golf and Body (New York City).
Although this phenomenon is somewhat new to North America, it has been a part of international golf for decades. In Asia, because of the high level of urbanization and the expense of the game, many golfers have played literally all of their golf at driving ranges and at indoor, simulator-based golf clubs.
“In South Korea, all the ranges are two or three tiers, with 50-75 stalls at each level, much like you would see at a Top Golf,” say E.J. Kim, a Golf Digest Top 40 Under 40 instructor at Axis Golf Academy in Houston. “Golf is extremely popular, despite the fact that many players never play at a course.”
Kim says that public golf is extremely limited in South Korea. It can cost upward of $150 per round plus caddie fees. Private golf facilities have memberships that range from $200,000 to $300,000. Because of this, simulators made by Golfzon, a Korean company, have become so popular that it has grown into a billion-dollar company.
On U.S. soil, Top Golf has created a course-free experience through multi-level ranges with built-in capabilities to play competitive games. The Top Golf website describes its goal as, “To help you create unforgettable experiences with friends and family.” It does so through interactive games that cater to golfers and non-golfers alike; all skill levels can find enjoyment from the platform.
When players are not physically hitting shots at Top Golf, they are treated to their own HDTV, live music and a multitude of food and beverage options. Instead of waiting for the foursome ahead of you to clear off the green ahead of you, imagine sitting on a couch with your feet up and a beverage in your hand. It’s a bit of a different experience altogether, but it’s one that golfers and non-golfers are gravitating toward.
In another realm, during a recent trip to Washington, D.C., I dropped by Peak Golf Fitness. The company specializes in golf fitness and performance training.
“When you live in an urban environment like D.C., you have so much competition for your time and attention, and with work and commute times it is difficult to get to the golf course and work on your game before it gets dark.” says owner Jason Meisch. “Peak not only simplifies the time component, it also offers our clients the best access to facilities, technologies and expertise. They know when they come they will get a great experience, see some friends, and have a chance to improve.”
Meisch also mentioned that the physical performance aspect of the game is very valuable to his clients because of these time restrictions.
“Our members can now practice and workout in one place,” Meisch said. “It gives our members greater flexibility in their lives, as well as an opportunity to improve, working on a game they love within their schedules.”
With more than half of Americans living in cities, golf is expanding outside traditional green-grass facilities and offering urban players opportunities to interact with the game. New companies are filling these voids by offering players in their markets access to top facilities loaded with the latest technology and world class experts. Are theses facilities the future of the game? Maybe not the entire future, but they’re certainly an area of growing importance. Years down the line, “playing golf” may not mean exactly the same thing it does now.
This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.
I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.
View this post on Instagram
Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.
With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.
Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!
Club Junkie
Building my 2026 gamer WITB: Ranking the contenders and new putter projects – Club Junkie Podcast
The annual What’s In The Bag build is underway, and on this episode of Club Junkie, Brian breaks down the clubs currently leading the race for a spot in his 2026 gamer setup. From drivers and fairway woods to irons, wedges, and shafts, he ranks the equipment that’s performing best and explains what’s separating the front runners from the rest of the field.
Brian also heads into the workshop to discuss several putter projects currently on the bench. From head options and shaft choices to build ideas and testing plans, he shares what he’s working on and which putters could become serious contenders for the bag this season.
If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.
Follow Club Junkie:
Instagram: @clubjunkiepod
TikTok: @clubjunkiepod
Threads: @clubjunkiepod
X: @ClubJunkiePod
Club Junkie
Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie
On this episode of Club Junkie, I put the new Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver to the test and break down the performance, forgiveness, distance, and where it fits compared to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood. If you have been curious about adding a mini driver to the bag, this one is worth a look.
I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.
Justin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
Memorial Tournament Tour Report: Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young switch up drivers, and more
Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
J.T. Poston’s winning WITB: 2026 Memorial Tournament
Best irons 2026: Best irons overall, most forgiving irons, and more
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
Bud Cauley WITB 2026 (June)
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament. Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura...
Hannah Green WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Titleist GTS3 (10 degrees, D4 SureFit setting) Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana RB 53 S 3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees,...
Asterisk Talley WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 S 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (16.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
Brianna Do WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (9 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 3-wood: Callaway Elyte Titanium (15 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 5-wood:...
-
Equipment6 days agoMemorial Tournament Tour Report: Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young switch up drivers, and more
-
News2 weeks agoRussell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
-
Whats in the Bag4 days agoJ.T. Poston’s winning WITB: 2026 Memorial Tournament
-
Equipment3 days agoBest irons 2026: Best irons overall, most forgiving irons, and more
-
Equipment1 week agoDetails on Jason Day’s latest prototype Avoda iron setup
-
Equipment3 weeks agoCJ Cup Byron Nelson Tour Report: Koepka and Kim’s newest putters finally get hot
-
News2 weeks agoCharles Schwab Challenge Tour Report: MacIntyre, Åberg and Spaun all switch putters, TaylorMade launches new Spider
-
Equipment2 weeks agoDetails on J.J. Spaun’s surprise putter switch
Peter Schmitt
Jul 10, 2017 at 4:25 pm
Even if this article loses me in some places, I can appreciate the spirit of the message here. Golf is a game which requires hours upon hours of devotion to even be marginally good. The majority of people in today’s society don’t have 4 to 6 hour blocks of free time on multiple days in the same week. How does golf fit in your life if you only have 20 minutes to spare here and there? The answer is debatable, but we have to agree it’s something other than a traditional round of 18 (or even 9) holes…
nyguy
Jul 7, 2017 at 2:55 pm
Top golf is the the golf version of “bowlmor”. It’s corny.
James G
Jul 7, 2017 at 12:49 pm
Top Golf is a current trend and after a few years it will become much less trendy. It’s still relatively new right now. As for simulators, I can recall in the 80s when a driving range installed some simulators indoors for the winter and rainy days. Was busy as anything on them for the first year then it died out. Trendy things come and go.
CB
Jul 5, 2017 at 5:22 am
Ive never seen anything like the Top Golf pic in this article but I think it looks like fun. More like an alternative to bowling than a replacement for outdoor golf.
I also reckon this would be a great way to get more kids involved in golf.
Are the costs similar to bowling?
Art Williams
Jul 3, 2017 at 8:00 pm
Just another way to get non golfers into a game of near golf. Quit worrying about the number of golfers. Unless you’re trying to make your living on golf, no one cares. These new places like Top Golf are fads and we know what happens to them eventually. I remember when people thought putt putt or miniature golf was going to replace real golf. How’d that work out. Unless you’re on vacation with the family in Myrtle Beach miniature golf is a bust. So too will be Top Golf.
Jack Nash
Jul 3, 2017 at 4:01 pm
You guys are funny. Any chance you get, “let’s throw in a pic of Tiger”. How about any other known Pro who’s actually playing golf, tossing up sprigs of grass?
Robert Parsons
Jul 3, 2017 at 1:28 pm
This story is a complete shank.
Sure, I want the hacks to stay at the range.
But the day golf is no longer played on grass, I quit. Simple as that.
Ron
Jul 3, 2017 at 11:24 am
Those who have the urge to play a round of golf will not settle for an indoor simulator, period. There is certainly a place for Top Golf in the industry and I think it’s fantastic what they’re doing. But it will never take away more than a marginal number of golfers from real courses
Tourgrinder
Jul 3, 2017 at 11:01 am
You HAVE to know something’s seriously wrong when the game of golf and the golf industry has to look at bowling for new ideas and ways to play the game. Here’s the jist of the idea — sitting around a half-moon banquet, drinking beer and cajoling. Then every so often you stumble to your feet and hit a shot off a mat and have it recorded by computer. There are people suggesting that’s the future of golf?? Personally, I haven’t played any Topgolf, but I’ve seen it in action. It looks somewhat fun for friends and buddies on a Friday or Saturday night, but for some people (Matt Ginella at Golf Channel is another one), to suggest these kinds of ideas are all contributing to “growing the game” is ludicrous, dangerous, and just plain off the beam. I had a sick feeling when watching Caddyshack II when it came out that someday someone would look at that film and actually think Jackie Mason’s character Jack Hartounian had some very good ideas.
Jack
Jul 3, 2017 at 6:09 am
Could happen. It’s much cheaper to maintain these facilities compared to a standard golf course. Golfzon is very accurate, but it’s still held back by that the matt you hit off of is still way too forgiving. Bunkers and rough shots are too easy as well. The plate does move to provide different lies, but you’ll never have to hit a shot where your feet are in the bunker and the ball is by your chest. Good thing is you don’t ever need to search for your ball, all the data is available to you as well. It’s easier than in real life, no doubt about it. But it’s still decent practice.
Looper
Jul 2, 2017 at 11:12 am
Yawn…
JThunder
Jul 2, 2017 at 4:18 am
No.
The “future of music” isn’t karaoke either.
J T Rap Dat
Jul 2, 2017 at 2:06 pm
I have a black belt in karaoke.
Scott
Jul 3, 2017 at 3:30 pm
Well, unfortunately there is / was American Idol.
Dat
Jul 2, 2017 at 12:51 am
Top Golf is fun, but not real golf. If hipster d bags want to go there and hack it up, I’m all for it. Keeps them off the real courses.
WolfWRX
Jul 1, 2017 at 9:34 pm
If the future of the game no longer involves playing outside on a grass course whilst enjoying nature and the environment, then it’s no longer golf.
SH
Jul 1, 2017 at 7:45 pm
Wait a second guys, realize this:
For us real golfers who want to play on a real golf course by spending 4, 5, 6 hours or more outside on a real golf course on real grass –
This is a great thing. It will keep the lazy hackers off the real courses for us real golfers to have to not have to deal with the hacks who would prefer to sit there and treat it like bowling guzzling jugs of beer and eating extra large pizzas getting fat and going nowhere, listening to loud music yelling at each other and having no respect for anything or anybody around them.
So lets not mock it. For us real golfers, this is a real benefit. The short-attention-span kids will programme themselves to be even more short-attention, and won’t have any patience for the real sport on a real course that takes patience, courtesy and manners and respect to play it properly. Let them destroy themselves at these pseudo-video game venues and let’s keep them there and off our beautiful courses!
Yeah!
Was
Jul 3, 2017 at 1:29 pm
They ain’t gonna be awake when they’re face-down in their leftover pizza after a dozen jugs of beer and, a only couple of bad swings because that’s all the exercise their fat bodies can handle
Steve
Jul 4, 2017 at 5:32 pm
Real golfers? LOL.
Mat
Jul 1, 2017 at 7:06 pm
A better assessment here might be that industry revenue is growing much faster outside traditional courses. That’s a fact. However, it’s a bit disingenuous to say it’s “the future”. Rather, when people complain about golf as a “shrinking sport”, they would be incorrect if they included this type of growth.
Grits
Jul 1, 2017 at 6:31 pm
Video game golf eliminates courses, clubs, walking and waiting, and is the next phase of golf development for the future.
setter02
Jul 3, 2017 at 3:19 pm
No its not, just as being a driving range pro doesn’t equate to good play actually on the course. It’s just another avenue within this industry that can’t actually replace the real thing.
Matt
Jul 1, 2017 at 3:08 pm
To clarify, what about players outside of main centres and small countries? Our small town country club doesn’t even have a driving range or practice area other than a tiny warm up green next to the car park, and only the most obsessed player would fork out for a virtual course in their garage. On the upside, at least hitting balls (baseball, softball, golf) in a room or range is a lot more fun than treadmills, gyms and stationery bikes.
Matt
Jul 1, 2017 at 2:42 pm
What sort of reporting is this? Shank.
Em-Smizle
Jul 1, 2017 at 1:56 pm
More millennial bs
Ward Wayne
Jul 1, 2017 at 12:12 pm
Golf is about the outdoors and nature, despite the problem the environment brings. TopGolf is fun but it is just practice. Despite my recent round with some uneven tee boxes, horrible lies in the fairway, bunkers with a mixture of hard and soft sand with small rocks and pebbles, leaves all over the green and the bug that few in my face when I was about to putt my par save … it is all part of the game!
Bruce Ferguson
Jul 1, 2017 at 11:16 am
Although Top Golf and indoor venues are fun, nothing can replace being outdoors for me. Hopefully, urban sprawl and economics don’t deny outdoor course play for future generations.
Philip
Jul 1, 2017 at 9:59 am
What is the point of it then – might as well attach yourself to some VR glasses, guzzle beer and be just like the pros without hardly any effort. Or maybe show your moves on some VR downhill boarding with a real board attached to a simulator (with cushioning all around in case you wipe out on the virtual mountain) … don’t even have to worry about the cold … can wear shorts.