Ava AbbottTopgolf is a global sports and entertainment company based in Dallas, Texas. The company also operates an online marketplace for sales and auctions that connects sellers of new and used products with their buyers.
Topgolf’s history goes back to 2000 when Steve and Dave Jolliffe realized the lack of a good golf place in town. The twin brothers joined forces with Mark Murray and Barry Cumbie to establish Topgolf, bringing together nearly a hundred million fans.
There are 58 Topgolf venues in the US and five in the UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, and Mexico, attracting 23 million visits. Topgolf has 6,295 employees and generates over a $1 billion in revenue. [1]
Topgolf is more than a sports club. Its venues create the best experience by combining different sports, good food, shopping, and other thrills. Topgolf locations hosted two events in 2018 and 2019 that broke Guinness World Records.
In Mar 2021, Callaway Golf acquired Topgolf. The deal valued Topgolf at $2 billion and increased its competitive advantage. Topgolf brought in $418 million in revenue in the first six months of 2021, more than it did during the same period in 2020.
Topgolf’s unique offering guarantees its place as one of the best golf entertainment companies globally. Topgolf has to fend off strong competitors like Drive Shack, Bigshot Golf, Game Golf, and Diamond Resorts to protect its market share. [2]
Here is an in-depth analysis of top Topgolf’s competitors and alternatives:
1. Diamond Resorts
Year founded: 1992
Headquarter: Las Vegas, Nevada
Diamond Resorts is a timeshare company that offers destinations, events, and experiences, such as golfing. The company has more than 379 vacation destinations in its network across 35 countries globally.
In the first half of 2021, Diamond Resorts generated $184 million in revenue. The firm makes over $300 million annually and employs around 1,000 people.
In Mar 2021, Hilton Grand Vacations agreed to acquire Diamond Resorts for $1.4 billion. The deal combines Diamond’s 92 leisure resorts and nearly 400,000 owners with HGV’s 62 properties, creating the premier vacation ownership company.
It will generate over $125 million in run-rate cost synergies and expand Diamond Resorts’ reach into 20 new markets. With HGV’s financial capability, Diamond Resort has a significant competitive advantage over Topgolf. [3]
2. Drive Shack
Year founded: 2002
Headquarter: Dallas, Texas
Drive Shack is a country club that offers golf-related activities, leisure, and entertainment. Both Drive Shack and Top Golf offer semi-indoor driving ranges, food and drinks, and family-friendly games. But Drive Shack is less crowded and cheaper than Topgolf. In 2021, Drive Shack earned nearly $300 million in revenue. [4]
Drive Shack customers pay between $25 and $45 per hour for a bay that holds up to six guests, while Topgolf charges $50 per bay. In 2021, Symphony Ventures, owned by golf superstar Rory McIlroy, invested $10 million in Drive Shack to expand its presence.
The company has four locations, with several venues scheduled to open in early 2022. Drive Shack is a top Topgolf competitor. [5]
3. ClubCorp
Year founded: 1957
Headquarter: Dallas, Texas
ClubCorp is America’s largest owner and operator of private golf and country clubs. The company operates more than 200 golf and country clubs, city clubs, sports clubs, and stadiums in 27 states. In 2021, ClubCorp had about 17,000 employees and made over $1.1 billion.
ClubCorp combines different strategies to deliver extraordinary experiences, connections, shared passions, and memorable moments.
The company owns several world-class championship golf courses and lounges, resort-style pools, tennis facilities, and fitness centers. With over 414,000 members, ClubCorp is the largest TopGolf competitor. [6]
4. Salamander Innisbrook
Year founded: 2005
Headquarter: Middleburg, Virginia
Salamander Innisbrook is a sports entertainment company that operates a luxurious golf and spa resort. Its venues offer golf courses, tennis courts, hiking trails, spas, pools, and water parks. The company has 155 employees across all of its locations and generates $22.37 million in revenue.
Like Topgolf, Salamander Innisbrook provides full-service management in luxury properties. The company’s portfolio includes Innisbrook Resort in Tampa Bay that hosts PGA TOUR’s Valspar Championship. Other notable venues include Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, Half Moon in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Henderson beach resort in Florida.
These properties provide the ultimate golf experience. Salamander Innisbrook is one of the top Topgolf competitors. [7]
5. The Trump Organization
Year founded: 1927
Headquarter: New York, NY
The Trump Organization is a real estate development and property management company owned by former US President Donald Trump. The company consists of 500 business entities, including several golf clubs in North America, Europe, and Asia.
In 2020, the Trump Organization employed about 22,540 people and earned around $400 million in revenue. The organization’s golf resorts like Trump National Doral Miami compete against Topgolf. In the past few years, the company expanded its offering to include food, beverages, and video games.
However, Trump Organization is facing a criminal tax fraud case. CFO Allen Weisselberg was sued for receiving $1.76 million in indirect compensation. These legal issues undercut the organization’s competitive advantage over Topgolf. [8]
6. BigShots Golf
Year founded: 2013
Headquarter: Dallas, Texas
ClubCorp-owned BigShots Golf offers all-in-one sporting venues. Its gaming platform uses Doppler radar, an industry-leading ball-tracking technology. According to ClubCorp’s estimates, BigShots Golf generates around $13 million in revenue annually.
BigShots Golf operates like TopGolf, but it doesn’t go head-to-head with TopGolf. The company opens new locations in underserved areas.
For example, BigShots is constructing a golf driving range in Utah. This tech-driven range will open to the public in early Mar 2022. BigShots Golf is one of the top TopGolf competitors and alternatives. [9]
7. Main Event
Year founded: 1998
Headquarter: Plano, Texas
Main Event is an entertainment company owned and operated by Ardent Leisure. More than 20 million guests visit its venues annually to indulge in indoor and outdoor activities, such as gravity ropes, laser tag, and billiards. In 2020, Main Event had around 1000 employees and made $232 million in revenue.
Main Event operates around 44 locations in 17 states across the US, with several centers under construction. The company caters to thrill-seekers and adventurous souls of all ages, while Topgolf offers sports entertainment.
In Apr 2021, Main Event launched the “Above and Beyonders” campaign to celebrate families who make lives better in their communities. Main Event’s fun-filled venues offer an alternative to Topgolf for friends and families. [10]
8. Dave & Buster’s Entertainment
Year founded: 1982
Headquarter: Cayman Islands
Dave & Buster’s is a restaurant and entertainment business. Its venues have video arcade sections with stimulators and interactive games. In 2021, Dave & Buster’s generated around $400 million in revenue annually.
As of Oct 2021, Dave & Buster’s had 141 locations in the US and 2 in Canada. Each venue offers customers the opportunity to “Eat, Drink, Play, and Watch.” Visitors have access to a full-service restaurant with entrées and appetizers, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and entertainment attractions. Dave & Buster’s is one of the fastest-growing Topgolf competitors. [11]
9. Round One Entertainment
Year founded: 1980
Headquarter: Osaka, Japan
Round One is a Japan-based amusement company. Its amusement centers offer Sports Challenge, bowling alleys, ping pong, darts, karaoke, billiards, and exclusive Japanese arcade games. In 2021, Round One made $60.97 billion in revenue and operated over 40 locations in the US. [12]
In 2008, the company expanded to the US as Round One Entertainment and opened its first venue in California two years later. In Dec 2021, the company announced its first multi-entertainment facility in San Antonio. Round One Entertainment’s unique offering makes it a worthy Topgolf competitor.
10. Game Golf
Year founded: 2014
Headquarter: San Francisco, California
Game Golf is a performance analytics firm that helps golfers shoot lower scores. The company pioneered golf GPS shot tracking with the first-ever wearable for tracking golfers’ on-course performance. In 2021, indoor intelligence company Inpixon acquired Game Golf. Inpixon makes over $9 million in revenue annually.
Since its founding, Game Golf has developed products and apps to help golf players, students, instructors, and course managers. Its golfing technology has been used in more than 125 countries worldwide, enabling over 3 million rounds of golf and 300 plus million shots. With Inpixon’s backing, Game Golf now has the resources to compete against Topgolf. [13]
11. X-Golf America
Year founded: 2010
Headquarter: Los Angeles, California
X-Golf America is virtual golf and bar-restaurant concept, with multiple bays and a full bar. The golf entertainment franchise offers lessons, leagues, and club fitting services. In 2020, X-Golf had around 23 employees. Its franchises make about $574,482 in revenue annually.
X-Golf offers simulators that perform over 6,000 calculations per second, measuring performance metrics like club path, ball speed, and smash factor. South Korea’s RD-Tek has been perfecting this simulator technology since 2005.
After splitting from RD-Tek in 2010, X-Golf refined this concept to provide a more relaxed and entertainment-focused experience. Currently, X-Golf has more than 50 locations across the US. X-Golf’s innovative simulator technology sets it apart from Topgolf and other competitors. [14]
12. American Golf
Year founded: 1978
Headquarter: Ashton, UK
American Golf is a leading golf retailer owned by Drive Shack. The company operates around 60 golf courses and provides a full range of golf equipment, including irons, drivers, putters, balls, and more. In 2020, American Golf’s parent company Drive Shack generated $220 million in revenue.
Both Topgolf and American Golf offer golf equipment and merchandise in-store and online. But American Golf is more experienced in this sector than Topgolf. The company has a team of experts in its 90 stores to help answer customers’ golfing questions.
Due to its expertise in golfing equipment, American Golf has a strategic partnership with several golf tournaments like ISPS Handa World Invitational. The company advocates for inclusivity in golf and equal prize values for competing female and male players. American Golf is one of the best Topgolf alternatives. [15]
13. GolfTec
Year founded: 1995
Headquarter: Denver, Colorado
GolfTec offers indoor golf simulator technology and more than one million golf lessons annually. Golf students can choose between GolfTec and Topgolf. Currently, GolfTec has around 200 locations in six countries.
Both GolfTec and Topgolf offer individual golfing lessons. GolfTec’s swing evaluations start at $100 for 60 minutes, while Topgolf Coach charges $59 for juniors and $89 for adults.
Topgolf Coach also provides a 60-minute group class starting at $29. But GolfTec allows students to go to its green-grass facility for playing lessons. GolfTec is one of the best Topgolf alternatives for golf students and beginners. [16]
14. Golf Channel
Year founded: 1995
Headquarter: Stamford, Connecticut
Golf Channel is a golf television network owned by the NBC Sports Group. The channel covers golf tournaments and provides factual and instructional programming. Currently, Golf Channel is available to over 70.3 million pay television households and makes around $220 million annually.
Golf Channel is the go-to platform for golf entertainment, making it one of Topgolf’s competitors. The company owns GolfNow, an online booking service for over 9,000 golf courses.
In Nov 2021, NBC Sports and the US Army signed a deal to allow golfers to book tee times at 33 Army bases via GolfNow. Golf Channel’s programming and GolfNow offering can poach some customers from Topgolf. [17]
15. GolfSuites
Year founded: 2016
Headquarter: Miami, Florida
GolfSuites is a Florida-based golf company. The company operates two golf courses in Oklahoma and Texas. In 2021, GolfSuites made around $5 million in revenue.
GolfSuites is investing heavily in its expansion across the US. In Feb 2021, the company started developing its high-tech driving range in Baton Rouge. This new golfing venue is just two miles from the Topgolf location. GolfSuites is one of the fastest-growing Topgolf competitors. [18]
References & more information
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