Topgolf is Planning to Open Its First Iowa Location

Anyone who knows me knows I do not like golf in the slightest. I find it an incredibly tedious and boring sport both to play and watch. That said, even though I've only been once, I won't turn down an opportunity to hit a few balls at this popular driving range that will soon have its first location in Iowa.

That place is Topgolf, a year-round driving range and bar/restaurant combo. If you've never been, the entertainment facility doesn't require you to be a pro golfer. Quite the opposite. Each Topgolf location has three or four stories of "hitting bays." Players use clubs to whack electronically tacked golf balls off the green while a computer keeps score. The goal is to try and land the ball in certain areas of the green in order to rack up points.

Iowans who have wanted to try their hand at Topgolf have had to look towards Illinois and Wisconsin to get their fix. That's about to change, however, as Topgolf plans to open its first Iowa location in West Des Moines, per The Des Moines Register.

The company foresees a facility with 72 climate-controlled hitting bays and a "chef-driven" restaurant and bar on the corner of Mills Civic and Jordan Creek parkways. The site will be 12-acres, located just south of Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh.

At this time, there is no word on when the location will be open. Topgolf is a massive establishment, and a timeline for construction has yet to be set. My guess is it might not be until 2025 before Topgolf opens in West Des Moines considering the sheer amount of labor and construction that will need to happen.

Since 2000, Topgolf has built over 80 locations around the world, including ones in Kansas City, MO; Omaha, NE; and Minneapolis, MN. The developers involved with the West Des Moines location plan to use Toptracer Ranger software, the same proprietary system used by Topgolf locations around the world. Toptracer Ranger tracks a player's performance, swing, and keeps score.

In addition to the driving range, the company is exploring their options in possibly adding bowling and pickleball to the facility, which in turn would create a world-class sports complex and a destination for Iowans looking for an evening of fun.

In a news release, Topgolf's Chief Development Office Chris Callaway expressed excitement about soon being part of the state capital:

We are thrilled to be joining the Des Moines community and look forward to welcoming our new Players to Topgolf in the near future. Our focus is on creating more ways for people to play the game of golf in a fun and unique way, and the Des Moines area is the perfect place to kick off our growth within the state.

In February 2023, Johnston County leaders gave developers the green-light to open a golf hotel complex with restaurants, bars, a rooftop bar, and more.

Personally, I could see me and my girlfriend spending a weekend in Des Moines and making Topgolf one of our main destinations. It's that much fun of an experience, and here's hoping the project can begin construction soon. Read more about Topgolf coming to West Des Moines on The Des Moines Register.