It was a dark and stormy day! So Cutest and I decided to play golf. Topgolf. I shall explain.
As welcome rain soaked the plains this day, we decided on an athletic adventure at Topgolf. For the uninitiated, the Topgolf franchise lets you whack that little white orb from one of their three covered levels, with 15 or more stalls on each. These are open to the outdoors, where at various distances, five round, large disc-like holes cover the lawn.
There are several different games, but in the simple (read, least talent required) one suggested to us, your goal is to smack the ball as far as you can, as the furthest hole provides the highest score. Also, should the ball land in the center or closer to it, your points increase.
We arrived at the Overland Park location before our selected time. Taking advantage of the delay, of course Cutest and I walked into their bar/restaurant in order to sample food and beverage options.
This being mid-summer, more youngsters were playing than adults. Fans provided a cooling breeze which are exchanged for ceiling heaters in winter.
We sat by a window that allowed us to study those who were flailing away with club in hand at their assigned tee spot. Educational. Our beverage selection was a light, summery beer that was perfect for this July afternoon. We matched the beers with a plate of three chicken tacos. Cutest attempted to add another taco, but the Dallas corporate office of Topgolf allows no substitutions. That didn’t make us (or the staff person) happy campers. However, the soft tacos were good, with a moist and flavorful chicken filling. Note to corporate: we would have liked to have the other fillings, too, in our single order of three tacos.
Soon we were texted that our tee spot was ready. With unfinished beers in hand, we walked to the ground level of stalls, found our number 112, and then made a selection from the variety of clubs provided, men’s and women’s.
Neither of us will ever win the Masters (extremely difficult for a woman). After warming up, I gradually hit my stride, which is peppering anything under 150 yards away. Cutest, shall we say, struggled, at first. But with my expert coaching, not, another beer and sheer determination, her struck golf balls found lift-off. Similar to the Wright brothers' first flight, short but sweet. Combing the slope of the greens, a nice breeze and verbal encouragement, Cutest’s ball flew but then sputtered to an exhausted roll 50 yards away.
To celebrate our successes, we ordered a small plate of warm mini-pretzels, with a side of cheese dip and a mystery dip. Beer, pretzels and golf. What a great combination.
Rain had abated and it was almost (more than, said Cutest) as much fun to watch the clouds as her soaring (?) golf balls.
You should check out their website, https://topgolf.com/us/overland-park/, for discount hours and group rates. For now though, Cutest and I will continue our road to pro Pickle Ball. It’s going to be a very long road.
As someone who took golf lessons with Cutest many years ago, I can vouch for the fact that she did not hit her golf balls very far. (Nor did I.) I did learn some new swear words from her, however.