Top Golf or Mini Golf? Golf -Themed Fun in Phoenix -

When we’re looking for a fun Phoenix outing that works for everyone, golf is always one of my favorite suggestions. Not traditional golf, but tech-infused golf. Whether you’re planning a casual date night, family fun or a weekend with friends, Phoenix has plenty of ways to enjoy the game without needing to be a serious golfer. We went to a few popular golf themed activities to compare them and this is what I learned.

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Topgolf vs Mini Golf in Phoenix: Which Fun Night Out Is Right for You?

Are you looking for kid-friendly golf theme activities, a date night, indoor golf, outdoor golf?

All three of these facilities are open until midnight.

Puttshack
PopStroke
Topgolf

Puttshack

We’ve been to Puttshack a few times and it is a lot of fun. It reminds me of life size arcade games, but mini golf. We love that it is indoors, so you can play golf no matter the weather and it is a great place to cool off in the summer.

How it works

This techie facility is two stories high with a very open concept. The atmosphere is pretty loud, and this one had the most kids (compared to the other golf theme activities) both times we’ve visited. If you visit after 8 pm, it changes to 21 years and older. One game is 9-holes, or you can purchase unlimited games.

If you reserve your game time slot online (which we would recommend), you will enter the names of your group at that time. When you arrive each member uses one of the central check-in computers. The machine with then provide you with your group color. There are 4 colors: Amber & Emerald (downstairs) and Ruby & Sapphire(upstairs). The color is what determines which course you play.

Tip: Each course takes about 20-30 minutes. I would suggest reserving two courses. Our favorite were the downstairs courses: Amber and Emerald.

You can eat dinner here before hand or after playing a game of mini golf. Drinks can be ordered at the bar and you can take those with you while you golf.

The Best Golf-Themed Fun in the Phoenix Metro Area

Pop Stroke

A mini-golf course designed by Tiger Woods. You can visit the one in Scottsdale or Glendale. We visited the one in Glendale. It’s right in the thick of things near Westgate in Glendale. This outdoor mini golf course has two 18-hole courses – black and red.

It looks more like a miniature version of a traditional golf course than what you would typically see for a mini golf course. We golfed on both courses and the consensus with our group was that the red course was more fun. The black course is very level, the red course has more variation in the green. Red seemed a little more challenging.

One of my favorite things about the course was the fact you can a daily pass, so you can come back as many times as you want on the day of purchase. You can try golfing during the day and at night. You can golf the same course multiple times if you want to.

If you would like to order drinks you just scan a bar code on the course and it will be brought out to you. Alternatively you can sit at the bar or dine-in area. There is an outdoor playground near the dining area for small kids. Parking is limited near the facility, but there is a lot of parking nearby.

Tip: We preferred the red course because it was more hilly. The black course is more level.

TopGolf

TopGolf is a driving range, which doesn’t sound that exciting but we really like it here. This multi-level facility is a lot of fun.

How it works

You rent a bay for a set period of time and up to six people can sit at this bay. The bay is climate controlled and covered, however it is open to the driving range so it can still be pretty warm during the summer. Just something to keep in mind. You will enter your names into the system, and your golf balls are microchipped. The goal is to hit the large targets. Since the balls are chipped the technology keeps score for you.

Of the three golf themed activities in Phoenix, TopGolf is our favorite. Why is it our favorite? We are usually going with a group of adults. You’re given a seating area (similar to like if you went bowling) where you can eat, drink, socialize and hit the ball all in one spot. You’re not moving from one area to another like mini golf, so it is great for a group activity. I feel like it is easier to socialize with your group in this type of setting rather than when playing mini-golf.

Tip: I prefer being upstairs rather than downstairs and closer to the middle. I think it is very difficult to hit the ball when you’re close to the end and the view is better upstairs vs downstairs.

You can visit TopGolf in Scottsdale, Gilbert, or Glendale. Parking lot just for TopGolf is large, so easy to find parking.