Mississippians can now swing by the state’s first Topgolf as the Ridgeland facility celebrated its grand opening on Friday.
After three years of planning and a wave of enthusiastic anticipation from the public, the entertainment venue is up and running off I-55 and Highland Colony Parkway right next to Ridgeland High School.
For those unfamiliar with Topgolf, the company brands itself as a sports entertainment complex with inclusive, high-tech, and points-based golf games everyone can enjoy.
The facility right outside of Jackson features more than 60 climate-controlled bays, lux suites with lounge-style furniture, event spaces, a restaurant and bar, plenty of televisions, and a one-of-a-kind mini golf course to go along with the driving range.
“You don’t have to be a golfer to come here. About 60% of our guests are not dedicated golfers. They come here to have fun,” Ridgeland Topgolf Chief of Operations Jason Sartain said. “We have games specifically designed for non-players to make it easier for them to play and have a great time.”
Topgolf has even designed a club that is guaranteed to give the most inexperienced player a sense of confidence when swinging away. The AI-generated “sure thing” club, available in all sizes, has a gigantic clubhead to ensure contact and 20 degrees of loft to send the ball into the ether.
“When a non-golfer comes and they’re able to hit a ball straight with a high loft, it makes them feel like, ‘Oh my goodness, man, I’m getting good at golf,’” Sartain added, explaining how the new club boosts user experience. “You don’t have to be a pro golfer to get a nice ring off the ball. Everything we do, we do for the entertainment value for everybody to have a great time. We put a lot of science into everything we do.”
Special mats and tees are also available for guests in wheelchairs. For those looking to get to Topgolf without waiting in expected long lines this weekend, prospective visitors can reserve a bay, though a majority of spots have been booked for the opening weekend.
