There‘s a lot of cool gear in the golf world that doesn’t at all times match into Most Needed Exams or Purchaser’s Guides. You continue to need to know the way it performs. In our We Tried It collection, we put gear to the check and allow you to know if it really works as marketed.
What We Tried
Enjoying rounds of miniature golf at PopStroke and Puttshack, two trendy takes on a traditional household exercise.
Your Reviewer
Sean Fairholm, mini golf scorekeeper and self-appointed head of the competitors integrity committee.
We Tried It: PopStroke
I’ll begin my assessment with PopStroke, the Tiger Woods-owned mini golf that opened its doorways in 2019.
As of this writing, PopStroke has 17 areas throughout six states (Florida, Texas, Alabama, Arizona, Nevada, South Carolina). Eight are in Florida.
The PopStroke idea is much like Topgolf in that it’s an off-the-cuff place for mini golf that additionally presents a sturdy food and drinks operation.
One other differentiator between PopStroke and your normal mini golf is that PopStroke seems like a small model of an actual golf course. The bogus turf, which incorporates white areas for the “bunkers” (no sand is concerned, don’t fear), is top quality and vibrant by comparability to most mini golf programs. There are not any windmills or clown mouths right here. The truth is, there’s not a single impediment aside from the slope of the turf.
Every PopStroke location has two 18-hole programs with one structure being more durable than the opposite. The traditional really feel of a PopStroke is an out of doors patio/bar space—full with video games like cornhole and pingpong—searching to the mini golf programs, which aren’t underneath cowl.
My spherical happened final month on the Orlando location. It’s about 20 minutes due east of downtown within the Union Park space, surrounded by your regular suburban sprawl like Purple Lobster and Kohl’s. I’m certain there’s a Bar Louie inside strolling distance.
Setting the scene
The very first thing you discover strolling into PopStroke is … an ice cream store? Sure, there’s the choice to get ice cream as a handful of flavors are trying to lure you over to strive them.
The second factor I observed was the value level. After I first noticed $25 per grownup, I assumed it was slightly steep. That is simply mini golf. You’ll be able to play for $12 at my native course. After which I observed that it was $25 with limitless play—and I used to be there on a Sunday afternoon as NFL video games have been in full power.
That’s a reasonably honest deal, particularly contemplating that each individual will get an precise golf ball. You know the way you go play mini golf and so they provide you with a plastic ball that will most likely explode at influence if somebody hit it with a driver? No such fear right here. You get a professional TaylorMade Distance+ golf ball with the PopStroke brand.
It’s not successful our testing however attending to play mini golf with an actual golf ball? That may be a large step up. And also you get to maintain it!
The putters are normal fare for mini golf. Nothing you’ll need to be caught utilizing on an precise golf course however they do the trick for a day.
A fast phrase on the meals operation earlier than I get into the mini golf. There are not any waiters at PopStroke—or at the least there have been none at this location. You get to an empty desk, scan a QR code after which order in your telephone. They know the place your desk is so that you simply watch for the meals. You pay for it electronically—no signing receipts or something. You barely discuss to any server. I perceive why they do this nevertheless it does really feel slightly impersonal. Our meals took a very long time after which we needed to hunt somebody all the way down to ask the place it was as a result of there was no waiter.
The meals was tremendous. Unmemorable however nothing worse.
It’s not a spot you’ll search out for the meals/drink. You’re there to play mini golf and possibly relax on the patio.
I did admire that there have been one million TVs with each NFL sport being performed. And the pingpong desk is a superb function.
It was steadily busy all through the time we have been there however nothing near being packed.
Enjoying the course
We have been a big group so we requested for the better of the 2 programs to maintain play transferring alongside.
The very first thing you discover is how easy the turf is all through the course. The greens are quick and roll true for essentially the most half. It does really feel much more like you’re on a grown-up placing course—much like a spot like Streamsong or Erin Hills—fairly than a mini golf course.
On the identical time, PopStroke’s programs provide loads of buffers to gamers of all ages. Behind most holes is a slope that stops your ball from going into the mulch. Many occasions, it’s going to deliver your ball nearer to the outlet. Our group had a handful of holes-in-one for this actual purpose.
As soon as once more, there are not any obstacles or gimmicks. It’s only a straight-up placing course on synthetic turf. There are not any bricks forming a boundary across the gap however a lot of the slopes are there that can assist you.
In case you are strolling round with a drink, purse or one thing else, there are stands at every tee field in your comfort. For that purpose, I like to recommend a couple of individuals in a bunch taking part in directly—if every participant finishes out earlier than the following participant hits, then it’s important to trip selecting up your drink or no matter else you’ve with you.
The second course was fairly a bit more durable than the primary one. In the event you get on the mistaken facet of a slope, you may simply take 4 or 5 putts.
General, I might say PopStroke does a pleasant job of interesting to actual golfers whereas nonetheless being enjoyable for non-golfers. We noticed a various group of individuals—everybody from younger youngsters to aged {couples}. You can spend a stable three or 4 hours there.
We Tried It: Puttshack
There’s one other instance of recent mini golf that’s almost the precise reverse of PopStroke.
Puttshack has 21 areas which can be both open or are about to open all through the U.S. It’s unfold out throughout the nation together with one in my hometown of Nashville, Tenn. Our location opened final 12 months within the Gulch, a stylish space south of downtown.
Whereas PopStroke has centered on outside, warm-weather areas, Puttshack has an enormous presence in northern cities in addition to southern cities. Their mini golf idea is solely indoors.
Puttshack is tech-infused mini golf that makes a speciality of gimmicks and video games. It’s actually not like something I had seen.
There’s a chip in every golf ball that data every stroke. It’s form of just like the bowling equal for mini golf as a result of scores are up to date robotically and proven on screens all through your spherical (extra on this expertise in a second).
Setting the scene
Man, Puttshack is busy. My spouse and I’ve been a few occasions now and it’s at all times packed.
While you stroll by way of the entrance doorways, you’re instantly within the bar/restaurant space. You test in at a kiosk—reservations are extremely beneficial in case you are occurring a weekend—and get instructed which of the three programs your social gathering shall be taking part in. It could be good to have the ability to decide your course as a result of you possibly can simply find yourself on the identical design every time you come again.
There’s a large board that exhibits which events are taking part in which course. As soon as your tee time is prepared, you head to no matter course you have been assigned. Somebody walks you thru slightly tutorial after which you’re able to go.
Whereas the expertise is tremendous cool, the golf ball and putter are merely satisfactory. PopStroke has Puttshack beat on that entrance.
It price about $15 per grownup to play 9 holes. There’s a Monday-Thursday choice to play one other 9 holes for 50 p.c off so that will be 18 holes at round $22.
I used to be fortunately stunned by the quantity of the music. It wasn’t too loud which is good. You’re already being stimulated by loads of lights and screens so having restricted noise is appreciated.
The bar/restaurant space is a extra conventional sports activities bar vibe with regular servers. I assumed the meals was tremendous. Do any of those different golf locations have nice meals? Most likely not. You aren’t right here for the meals.
Enjoying the course
There are three nine-hole programs and each gap is remarkably totally different with its personal theme. As an illustration, there is perhaps an air hockey theme the place the course seems like an enormous air hockey desk. As soon as you set the ball down, objects forward of you begin to transfer—it’s important to gauge when to hit the ball by way of them.
You begin your spherical in a sure order based mostly on the display screen above you. There’s a display screen at each gap displaying what number of factors you’ve. On this sport, essentially the most factors win.
Every participant finishes out individually. The ball is aware of what number of pictures you took.
On sure holes, there are bonuses. For instance, you is perhaps requested a real or false query whereas going through two openings forward of you. The place you resolve to putt the ball is the way you reply the query. Getting it proper tacks factors on to your rating.
I performed one gap that was beer pong-themed. You hit up a ramp into one of many holes and get a sure variety of factors for getting in one of many cups. Then your ball comes out a chute and also you end out to get your ultimate rating.
In contrast to PopStroke, you don’t get to maintain the ball. The ultimate gap is often an enormous ramp the place you ship your ball into an enormous ski ball form of board, giving your self one final shot at factors. After which the final display screen shows the title of the winner in your group.
The spherical solely takes about 25 minutes provided that there are simply 9 holes and it’s not significantly difficult. It’s value taking part in two programs relying in your finances.
One of many holes we performed had malfunctioning expertise. After studying the evaluations of our location, it seems like this occurs sometimes. That’s certain to occur for an progressive idea like this one.
The clientele is households and loads of youngsters.
General, I feel Puttshack is a very enjoyable idea that may be put in wherever across the nation no matter climate. It’s stimulating for teenagers and retains everybody’s consideration all through.
Concluding ideas
I don’t suppose one wins over the opposite as a result of it’s all about what you need out of your expertise.
Would you like extra of a pure scorecard-in-hand expertise that simulates being on an actual golf course? In the event you intend to play 36 holes or extra, PopStroke looks like deal at $25 for the day.
Do you need to expertise the golf model of bowling the place you’re entertained by the expertise and anybody can win the sport no matter talent? Puttshack is the place for you.
Personally, I’ve extra curiosity in PopStroke. What can I say, I’m a mini golf purist. PopStroke is extra repeatable in that you simply want to return a number of occasions to enhance your rating. It may be difficult, which is stimulating.
The enjoyable of Puttshack is within the novelty of the expertise. Much like Topgolf, I went a few occasions, bought the thought and didn’t really feel a robust need to go again.
If I had a PopStroke in my city, I might be there each different month or so. It’s dynamic in that you may actually go on the market by yourself and play—or you may exit with a big group of individuals.
Puttshack is excellent for a 10-year-old’s birthday celebration. And it’s superior for a fast date night time exercise earlier than or after dinner. However for the period of time you spend (not a lot) and the cash (form of so much relative to the time), I’m unsure it’s a fantastic worth as a repeat exercise.
Have you ever been to both of those mini golf experiences? Was it value it?
Let me know beneath within the feedback.
The put up We Tried It: PopStroke Versus Puttshack Mini Golf appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
