Someone should take the boozy, collegial atmosphere of a bowling alley, pipe in music as if it is a Huntington Beach surf event, toss in enough big screens TVs to put any sports bar to shame, and overlay it all with a high-tech driving range.
What’s that, you say, it’s been done?
Well then, fine, put it in Vegas.
Dang, that, too?
That, too.
Such was the backdrop for the PGA of America’s Fashion & Demo Experience, with Topgolf Las Vegas kicking off on Monday the every-August ode to things golf coming soon to a pro shop or store near you. Bar service and the coolest driving range setup this side of anywhere are the trademark of Topgolf’s 33 – and counting rapidly – facilities. Show-goers had the added bonus of whacking the latest and greatest from the likes of, among others, Callaway, Cobra, Miura, Srixon/Cleveland, TaylorMade and Wilson, checking out other trade goods and competing in a skills challenge.
Though previously launched, PING’s G400s received a lot of attention, and what likely proved the first hits of the new game-improvement series for most of the attendees. And Titleist unveiled its just announced 718 AP3 irons, an addition to the renowned AP franchise. Slotting into the lineup between the game-improvement AP1s and better-player AP2s, the AP3s can best be considered improved-player clubs, providing the respective workability and feedback, and launch and forgiveness, of its two siblings, though Titliest reps indicated that some of the company’s tour players decided following testing the past week to put the new irons into their backs, either the full run or as long-iron replacements.