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by Greg Kuhs, CPRP, and Tony Perry A new golf entertainment experience for golfers and a new opportunity for a park district. 28 I l l i n o i s P a r k s & R e c r e a t i o n www.ILipra.org
www.ILparks.org M a r c h / A p r i l 2008 29 The innovative game - and the innovative relationship between the Wood Dale Park District and TopGolf USA - isn't designed to replace any aspect of the district's golf offerings. Rather, the idea is to complement the existing golf facility. The Wood Dale Park District sees its cooperative agreement with TopGolf USA as an opportunity to work together as a means of securing added revenue through the 30-year lease agreement. By cross-marketing both facilities, the joint venture will boost golf rounds and banquet business by introducing new and existing golfers to the nearby Salt Creek Golf Club. A Great Opportunity for a Public-Private Partnership Several years ago, TopGolf USA approached Wood Dale Park District and expressed interest in building one of its facilities adjacent to the district's Salt Creek Golf Club. The district facility offers two nine-hole executive courses, a restaurant, deluxe indoor and outdoor banquet accommodations, a pro shop, and, of course, leagues, golf outings and special events. While Salt Creek Golf Club enjoyed great local popularity, park agency officials saw that, as with many courses across the country, innovative programs and services were required to counteract the downturn in the number of rounds. (In this respect, the club mirrored an industry-wide trend.) TopGolf USA believed the Salt Creek Golf Club location was a great choice to build its first facility in the Midwest, based on a variety of desirable demographics, including proximity to Chicago's O'Hare Airport and Woodfield Mall and area convention traffic. This location also provides the benefit of having more than 40,000 vehicles travel along the Thorndale Avenue corridor on a daily basis. Although TopGolf Wood Dale opened to the public in October 2007, a grand opening extravaganza is planned for spring 2008 and will coincide with special events and various promotions offered at Salt Creek Golf Club.
What is TopGolf? TopGolf Wood Dale features a state-of-the-art driving range, a teaching academy and a miniature golf course (slated to open in spring 2008) all located next to the Salt Creek Golf Club, at the corner of Thorndale and Prospect Avenues in Wood Dale. TopGolf is a new game of golf with breakthrough technology that allows each ball to be personalized to each player. Computer technology allows the tracking of each ball hit and displays points based on accuracy for an individual player or teams of players. TopGolf can be enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels, while accommodating up to five people per hitting bay. The TopGolf game itself is quite simple. Think of it like 10-pin bowling, but for golf. Players hit a regulation golf ball that has been approved and promoted by Callaway Golf that just happens to contain an imbedded microchip. To play the game, each golfer gets a preselected number of golf balls with microchips. Players hit one of their golf balls, aiming for one of the 11 recessed target greens in the driving range, located from 25 to 250 yards away. When a golf ball lands inside one of the targets, players receive immediate personalized feedback sent to the electronic monitor screen located inside their hitting bay. The monitor screen shows players exactly how far each ball was hit and how close it came to the center flag-pin. These two components (accuracy and distance) are then used to award a point value for that ball. A unique and enjoyable aspect of TopGolf is that the technology allows players to compete against themselves or up to four other players in their hitting bay. After playing three games, handicaps are established for each player to ensure fair point scoring. continued on page 32 30 I l l i n o i s P a r k s & R e c r e a t i o n www.ILipra.org 
The Anatomy of
www.ILparks.org M a r c h / A p r i l 2008 31 
Is TopGolf a Virtual or a Real Driving Range? There is nothing virtual about TopGolf. TopGolf takes place at a full-size driving range with real clubs, real balls and a landscaped 270+ yard outfield with The targets range from 25 to 250 yards. The more distant targets are 25 yards in diameter, the size of an average golf green. Each target is divided into several different subsections, each containing an ID ball scanner, which registers back to the appropriate computer monitor screen in the hitting bay every time a ball lands inside that section. The ID ball system tracks each ball to the specific hitting bay and player. The hitting bays are outdoors but are under cover and sheltered from rain, snow, heavy winds and the direct heat of the sun. The bays are heated during the winter for added comfort. Beverage and snack delivery service is also available to the hitting bays. 32 I l l i n o i s P a r k s & R e c r e a t i o n www.ILipra.org
Who Can Play TopGolf? Anyone who can physically swing a golf club can play TopGolf. TopGolf is a fun, interactive and competitive activity for experienced golfers, beginning golfers and people interested in learning the game. Expert professional teaching staff will frequently visit each bay to offer free advice on how to hold and swing a golf club. Their efforts will reinforce that lessons or independent play can be enjoyed at Salt Creek Golf Club on the beautifully landscaped adjacent nine-hole course. What Types of Games May be Played at TopGolf? TopGolf is the flagship game and is the one that is most commonly played at the facility. However, there are several other games that are designed to test and perfect skill levels and increase enjoyment. Some of the additional games require players to hit at specific targets in a certain order, ideal for the serious golfer who wants to practice and receive valuable feedback for using every club in the bag. Often, more experienced TopGolfers like to play TopPractice, where no points are awarded but each shot is still monitored and exact yardage and placement are displayed on the computer screen in the bay. With this method, players still receive valuable feedback regarding their shot without having to keep score. Who Invented TopGolf? TopGolf was invented by World Golf Systems, a British company based just north of London. World Golf Systems has spent more than $20 million and seven years developing, testing and perfecting the technology, systems and facilities behind TopGolf. Best New Combo The cooperative venture between Salt Creek Golf Club and TopGolf provides a novel way to learn how to play the sport and an alternative to the traditional game of golf. The adjacent facilities offer opportunities for social and recreational events and are perfect for family gatherings or corporate outings. Day camps and park and recreation groups are invited to try out the new and reasonably priced activity. And, the TopGolf facility is open year-round. Individually tailored packages for golf, food and beverage services - ranging from individual and small group functions to large scale corporate events, weddings and banquets are available. The Salt Creek Golf Club and TopGolf Wood Dale are planning to collaborate on a number of these activities. Special golf outing packages using both facilities are available. One example of creative cooperative planning is an upcoming wedding rehearsal dinner booked at Salt Creek Golf Club's banquet facility, followed by a short walk over to the TopGolf facility where the wedding party, out-of-towners, family and friends will be invited to enjoy rounds of TopGolf. This is just one of many options and packages that will allow customization of joint facility usage at both Salt Creek Golf Club and TopGolf Wood Dale. Greg Kuhs Tony Perry Find Out 
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real, live targets. TopGolf provides the ideal practice facility for both the serious and aspiring golfer, with real-time accurate feedback on shots. Golf clubs are loaned to each customer free of charge. Men's, ladies' and junior clubs are available, as well as left- and right-handed sets. Premium club sets are also available for a leaner fee. Golfers are allowed to bring their own clubs if they choose to do so. TopGolf only uses official tour quality golf balls, as opposed to the lesser quality range balls. Extensive testing of the golf balls proves Top Golf's premium golf balls behave exactly the same as golf balls used by top golfers all over the world.