Higher Deck Elevates Golf To New Heights At Iconic Stadiums

“Tee it excessive and let it fly” could possibly be the slogan of Upper Deck Golf (no connection to the buying and selling card firm), a singular 9-hole {golfing} occasion that takes place in MLB ballparks and NFL stadiums. 9 particular person, elevated tee packing containers, every with a number of bays, are constructed and positioned strategically in numerous places all through the stands on each stadium stage, all the way in which to the higher deck. Sight traces and membership choice change dramatically as gamers purpose their pictures right down to the taking part in subject, the place 9 designated “greens” make up the hole-by-hole targets.

Every gap is taken into account a Par 3, and scores are decided by the place a shot lands: a gap in a single earns one level; contained in the circle is a birdie (2); on the inexperienced earns a par (3); and a ball touchdown off the inexperienced is a bogey (4). It may be tough at instances to trace the ball, so greens gentle up when a participant hits a profitable shot.

Higher Deck Golf senior occasion supervisor Nick Bonner defined why this occasion shouldn’t be confused with High Golf, one other indoor {golfing} expertise.

“That is in contrast to a stationary driving vary,” he mentioned. “You truly get to not solely tour your entire stadium as you stroll round and see all the things, however you’re additionally getting totally different vantage factors. It’s 9 very separate distinctive pictures.”

It is a movable expertise that requires a variety of strolling, navigating steps and making your means by means of tiers of seats to achieve every tee field. Signage directs gamers to observe a selected route from gap to gap. A number of the hottest holes are ones with platforms constructed out from dizzying heights on the higher stage, the place some gamers might really feel only a bit nervous as they step up and think about the inexperienced far, far under.

Location Location Location

Every course is as totally different because the stadium the place the occasion is hosted, and every venue presents challenges. For instance, climate – wind and rain – generally is a issue at uncovered stadiums. However, as Bonner defined, Higher Deck Golf is a rain or shine occasion and even throughout a significant downpour in Cincinnati, gamers nonetheless confirmed up.

He mentioned, “No stadium was constructed for what we’re doing, proper? So each stadium has its challenges. However I believe that is truthfully what makes the occasion so distinctive, as a result of it is a thriller of the place these tee packing containers are going to go and the way we’ll line them up and, you already know, ensuring angles and security are all thought of.”

In 2024, Higher Deck Golf held 20 occasions in 20 totally different stadiums; double the 2023 whole. The websites included historic venues like Wrigley Subject, Residents Financial institution Park, Fenway Park and Dodger Stadium.

World Golf Corridor of Fame Member Sir Nick Faldo performed a spherical at Wrigley Subject and gave the occasion his wholeheardedendorsement.

Plans are already underway for at the very least 25 websites in 2025. The itinerary will revisit those self same iconic ballparks, plus NFL venues like Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL), Nissan Stadium (Nashville, TN), Ohio Stadium (Columbus, OH), Lumen Subject (Seattle, WA), and Caesar’s Superdome (New Orleans, LA).

The Fundamentals

Higher Deck tries to make sure they provide a top quality occasion with one thing for everybody. Gamers begin and end on the “clubhouse,” the place they’re supplied with swag that features a brand bag, 18 Srixon golf balls (two per gap) and a scorecard. They will begin or end their rounds with lengthy drive, placing and closest to the pin challenges, amid a celebration environment of music, meals and drinks.

Gamers might go for customary, premium or VIP packages, with costs various relying on location and tee time. Usually, customary registration tee instances are $79.99 per participant. Premium and VIP packages embody further mulligans, complimentary entry to the clubhouse challenges, meals and beverage.

Price could also be a figuring out think about growing repeat prospects.

At Chase Field in Phoenix, the ultimate cease of the 2024 Higher Deck Golf tour, some gamers have been keen about their expertise, however barely much less keen about the associated fee.

Stated golfer Felipe Rodriguez, “I agree it was expensive. To me, the value is type of costly, however to do it one time for enjoyable, I imply for a distinct expertise it was cool. However I do not know if I’d do it once more for that value.”

Former collegiate golfer Allison Powell (Jap Washington College), nonetheless, cherished all the things in regards to the expertise. She performed along with her brother, a customized membership maker, and his buddies, all of whom bought the VIP bundle.

“It felt like a enjoyable spherical of golf,” she mentioned after finishing the post-round challenges. “I’d completely do that, like on the Cardinals or the Seahawks stadium.”

She additionally described what else made Chase Subject a singular golf course.

“I most likely should not say this, however anyone aimed for the swimming pool,” she laughed. “And we virtually received hit on one gap when somebody from a distinct gap hit of roof beam and it almost ricocheted into us.”

Tee instances start as early as 7 am, with the final at 9 pm. In line with Bonner, Saturday nights draw the most important crowds, and the environment modifications because the solar goes down and the stadium lights come up.

One other problem from venue to venue is spacing of tee instances to keep up an honest circulate of gamers.

Defined Bonner, “We work actually laborious to domesticate a sure tempo of play. It is like regular golf. We do not need folks ready in big traces.”

As a result of distances differ, gap signage contains membership choice suggestions. Whereas gamers have the choice of bringing their very own golf equipment (no drivers or woods), Cleveland Golf irons – males’s, girls’s, senior and left-handed golf equipment – are offered at every station.

Because the unique gear sponsor, Cleveland Golf additionally gives putters and drivers for the clubhouse contests.

Right here to Keep

Sports activities stadiums have gotten multi-purpose venues that promote occasions on non-game days. Programming at Chase Subject, for instance, has included main concert events, skilled rodeos, drone racing, WWE Royal Rumble, NCAA School Soccer Bowl video games, Supercross and Monster Jams.

It was an excellent venue for Higher Deck Golf and the occasion is already scheduled for a 2025 return go to.

Felipe Rodriguez spoke for many gamers when he summed up the expertise.

“The group is ideal, the day is ideal, being with mates is ideal.”