Topgolf Alternatives: 9 Social Golf Options

The best Topgolf alternatives are Drive Shack or a Toptracer Range for real full swings, Five Iron Golf or X-Golf for indoor simulators, and Puttshack, PopStroke, Puttery, Swingers, or Monster Mini Golf for social putting.

Those options are not interchangeable. Some keep your group around one bay. Others move everyone through a mini golf course. Some suit golfers who want shot data, while others are easier for dates, kids, beginners, and people who have never held a golf club.

This guide compares nine places like Topgolf by game type, weather, group fit, venue style, and booking model. Brand details and official location pages were checked on July 13, 2026. Local prices, hours, age rules, food service, and reservation policies can still vary.

Quick answer: the best Topgolf alternatives

Drive Shack is the closest direct Topgolf competitor where one is available. A local Toptracer-equipped driving range is often the closest substitute for the ball-tracking experience. Five Iron Golf and X-Golf move the full swing indoors, while the five putting options replace driving-range golf with a simpler social game.

How these Topgolf alternatives compare

Topgolf combines a full golf swing, tracked games, covered bays, food, drinks, and group seating. Its official FAQ says game play is normally priced by the bay per hour, up to six people can play in a bay, and only one person hits at a time.

That means a good alternative should replace at least two parts of the experience: the golf game and the social setup. A plain driving range replaces the swing but may not have food, seating, or game modes. A mini golf bar replaces the easy group competition and drinks but not the full swing. An indoor simulator replaces the golf technology but gives the group a smaller private bay.

Use these questions before choosing:

• Does everyone want to take full swings, or is putting better?
• Does the group want serious practice or a low-pressure game?
• Is indoor weather protection required?
• Will kids or non-golfers participate?
• Does anyone need frequent seating or a step-free route?
• Is the plan a one-hour activity or a longer food-and-drinks hangout?
• Is the group paying per person or sharing an hourly bay?

1. Drive Shack: the closest direct competitor

Drive Shack is the closest like-for-like Topgolf alternative in this list. The main activity is still hitting real golf balls from covered bays toward an outfield, with technology turning shots into games. Food, drinks, and event space make it work as a social venue rather than only a practice range.

The limitation is reach. The official Drive Shack locations page currently lists Raleigh, Richmond, and West Palm Beach. Check the exact venue before planning around it because games, mini golf extras, hours, and event spaces can differ.

Choose Drive Shack when:

• Your group wants the closest replacement for Topgolf.
• Full swings and real ball flight matter.
• You want bay seating, tracked games, food, and drinks.
• A listed location is close enough to make the drive worthwhile.

Skip it when the group would be happier putting, needs a larger national location network, or wants a compact indoor venue.

2. Toptracer Range: the local full-swing option

A Toptracer Range can reproduce much of the shot-tracking side of Topgolf at an independent or public driving range. Players hit real balls while screens show flight data and games such as virtual golf, closest to the pin, points games, and long drive.

Toptracer's official range page describes virtual courses, target games, practice modes, and options designed for different ages and handicaps. The venue experience is not standardized. One range may have covered bays, table service, and evening lights, while another may be a simple outdoor range that sells buckets of balls.

Choose a Toptracer Range when:

• You want real ball flight and tracked games.
• A local range is closer than a national entertainment chain.
• Golf practice matters more than themed decor or nightlife.
• You are willing to check local food, club rental, cover, and weather details.

This can be one of the better value choices for one or two golfers, but do not assume it is automatically cheaper. Compare the local ball or bay price and any club rental before leaving.

3. Five Iron Golf: indoor simulators with practice depth

Five Iron Golf is a strong Topgolf alternative for golfers who want more course simulation, swing data, lessons, leagues, and practice. Instead of hitting into an outdoor range, players use full clubs in an indoor Trackman simulator bay.

The official Five Iron site describes simulator bays, high-speed swing cameras, virtual courses, games, lessons, food, drinks, parties, and leagues. The brand has locations across many U.S. cities, but amenities and hours should be checked locally.

Choose Five Iron when:

• The group wants full swings in a completely indoor setting.
• Golfers care about shot data or playing virtual courses.
• You want a date, work outing, lesson, or practice session in one place.
• Outdoor heat, cold, rain, or wind would spoil the plan.

Five Iron asks more of complete beginners than mini golf does. Free loaner clubs and beginner games help, but players still need enough space and confidence to make a full swing safely.

4. X-Golf: virtual rounds, leagues, and events

X-Golf is another indoor simulator alternative with a stronger golf-club feel than a miniature golf venue. Guests can book simulator time, play virtual courses, order food and drinks at participating locations, join leagues, take lessons, or hold an event.

The official X-Golf site describes full-swing simulator play, real-time data, virtual courses, food, a bar, lessons, events, and leagues. Because locations are locally operated, confirm the exact menu, age policy, group capacity, and simulator rules before booking.

Choose X-Golf when:

• You want indoor full-swing golf near home.
• The group prefers virtual course play over target-field games.
• Leagues, lessons, or repeat practice are part of the plan.
• Everyone is comfortable rotating through a simulator bay.

Between Five Iron and X-Golf, the best choice is usually the local venue with the right bay size, reservation time, menu, and travel distance. The logo matters less than the specific setup.

5. Puttshack: tech mini golf with automatic scoring

Puttshack replaces Topgolf's full swing with a compact 9-hole putting game. Its tracked balls record strokes, hazards, and bonus points, so nobody needs to carry a paper scorecard or settle scoring arguments.

The official Puttshack game page says each game has nine holes and takes approximately 30 minutes depending on the crowd and group size. That makes it easier to pair with dinner or fit into a work event than a long bay session.

Choose Puttshack when:

• The group wants technology and competition without full swings.
• Indoor certainty and a shorter game matter.
• Dates, coworkers, or mixed-skill friends want automatic scoring.
• Food and drinks are part of the outing.

Use the Puttshack locations guide to see whether one is nearby. For a direct breakdown of game type, timing, family fit, and booking, read Puttshack vs Topgolf.

6. PopStroke: outdoor putting and room to linger

PopStroke is the closest putting alternative for groups that like the outdoor, golf-inspired side of Topgolf. The main attraction is two 18-hole putting courses rather than obstacle-heavy miniature golf, supported by food, drinks, TVs, and family extras at many venues.

The official PopStroke about page describes two 18-hole courses, electronic scoring and ordering through its app, bars, a restaurant, TVs, and additional social spaces. Most of the putting experience is outdoors, so weather deserves more attention than it does at a simulator or indoor mini golf venue.

Choose PopStroke when:

• The group wants putting that resembles a small golf course.
• Families and non-golfers need an easy game.
• Outdoor space, food, and a longer casual visit sound appealing.
• Everyone prefers walking together over rotating through one bay.

Start with the PopStroke locations guide, then compare PopStroke vs Topgolf if both brands are available in your city.

7. Puttery: indoor mini golf for dates and adult groups

Puttery is a compact indoor alternative built around themed 9-hole courses, food, cocktails, music, and digital scorecards. It makes the most sense when the group wants a night-out activity and does not care about hitting full golf shots.

The official Puttery FAQ describes modern indoor mini golf, optional reservations, location-specific prices, food, drinks, all-ages access, and at least one ADA-compliant course at each venue. Check the exact location for current age rules and the atmosphere at the hour you plan to visit.

Choose Puttery when:

• You want a date-night or cocktail-forward venue.
• A shorter indoor putting round fits the schedule.
• The group values themed rooms and food over swing data.
• Full golf would make some guests uncomfortable.

Read Puttery vs Topgolf for the direct comparison. You can also browse adult mini golf venues when the closest Puttery is too far away.

8. Swingers: crazy golf with a nightlife focus

Swingers combines British-style crazy golf with bars, street food, music, and group packages. The courses are still miniature golf, but the venue is designed more like a night out than a family entertainment center.

The official Swingers crazy golf page describes 9-hole courses, drinks on the course, and staff support. Its U.S. location list is much smaller than Topgolf's, so this is mainly an option when you live in or are visiting one of its markets.

Choose Swingers when:

• The priority is nightlife, cocktails, food, and a social game.
• The group wants putting rather than full swings.
• You are planning a birthday, work social, or adult celebration.
• A current U.S. location is convenient.

If Swingers is not nearby, compare indoor mini golf and local mini golf bars instead of planning a long trip around one brand.

9. Monster Mini Golf: the family-first alternative

Monster Mini Golf is the clearest choice when the group includes younger kids or wants an alcohol-free family entertainment setting. The main attraction is an 18-hole indoor glow course with blacklights, animated monsters, music, and locally inspired artwork. Arcades and other attractions vary by location.

The official Monster Mini Golf facilities page describes climate-controlled glow golf for different ages, an arcade at every location, and optional attractions such as mini bowling, laser tag, laser maze, and virtual reality at some venues.

Choose Monster Mini Golf when:

• Kids and adults need one easy shared activity.
• Indoor weather protection is essential.
• Glow golf and arcade games sound better than a sports bar.
• Nobody needs to hit a full golf shot.

Use the Monster Mini Golf locations guide to compare venues and verify attractions. Blacklights, music, and arcade noise can be intense, so ask about quiet times when sensory fit matters.

Which alternative is best for your group?

The best option changes with the people coming. A golfer may prefer a simulator, while a mixed-age family may have a much easier outing on a putting course.

For a team outing, use the mini golf group event planning guide to check deposits, group size, food, accessibility, and cancellation rules. If the plan is a date, compare venue mood and timing before focusing on the most advanced technology.

How to compare the real cost

There is no universal cheapest Topgolf alternative because the charging models are different. Driving ranges may charge by bucket or bay. Simulators usually charge for time. Mini golf often charges per person, per round, or through a local pass.

Use the group total, not the headline number:

1. Enter the real number of players.
2. Add reservation or booking fees.
3. Add club rental if it is not included.
4. Check whether food or drink minimums apply to events.
5. Compare 60 minutes with the actual round or session length.
6. Check cancellation rules before paying.
7. Decide whether non-players will be charged or count toward capacity.

For one or two people, a per-person mini golf round or local range bucket may be easier to control. For five or six players, an hourly bay can become more competitive when the cost is shared, but the group also gets fewer turns per person.

Use the mini golf prices guide when putting is the likely choice. The mini golf coupons guide explains where venue discounts, replay offers, and weekday specials are most likely to be real.

Booking checklist before you go

Places like Topgolf can have very different rules even within the same brand. Check the local venue, not only the national homepage.

• Exact game type and whether full swings are required.
• Hourly bay, simulator, per-person, or per-round pricing.
• Maximum players per bay, simulator, scorecard, or hole.
• Reservation window and walk-in policy.
• Age limits, late-night rules, and adult supervision.
• Club, putter, ball, and shoe requirements.
• Food service, table seating, and event minimums.
• Indoor, covered, or fully outdoor weather exposure.
• Parking, transit, elevators, steps, seating, and accessible routes.
• Cancellation, deposit, and no-show rules.

Peak evenings deserve extra planning. Read when mini golf reservations matter if the group needs a fixed start time, and call the venue when an accessibility or age-policy answer is unclear.

Find a Topgolf alternative near you

Start with the official brand location page when one of the nine options fits. If no chain is convenient, search by activity instead:

• Use the mini golf course directory for traditional, glow, indoor, outdoor, and social putting venues.
• Browse mini golf by location when you know the city or state.
• Compare the best mini golf courses for stronger local shortlists.
• Use the indoor mini golf guide when weather protection matters.
• Search local driving ranges for Toptracer, covered bays, club rental, and food.
• Search local simulator lounges for Trackman, leagues, lessons, and event packages.

The right alternative does not need to copy Topgolf feature for feature. It needs to match your group's preferred swing, weather plan, time, budget, and comfort level.

Topgolf alternatives FAQ

What are the best Topgolf alternatives?

The best Topgolf alternatives include Drive Shack and Toptracer ranges for outdoor full swings, Five Iron Golf and X-Golf for indoor simulators, and Puttshack, PopStroke, Puttery, Swingers, or Monster Mini Golf for putting.

What is the closest direct alternative to Topgolf?

Drive Shack is the closest like-for-like alternative because it combines full-swing hitting bays, tracked games, food, drinks, and group events. It has far fewer locations, so a local Toptracer range may be easier to find.

What is a cheaper alternative to Topgolf?

A local driving range, Toptracer range, or per-person mini golf course can cost less for one or two people, but prices vary. Compare the full checkout total, club rental, food minimums, reservation fees, and expected playing time.

Which Topgolf alternative is best if I do not play golf?

Puttshack, PopStroke, Puttery, Swingers, and Monster Mini Golf are easier alternatives for non-golfers because the main game is putting. Puttshack is especially simple for groups that want automatic scoring.

Which Topgolf alternative is best for serious golfers?

Five Iron Golf and X-Golf are strong indoor choices for golfers who want simulator rounds, practice data, leagues, or lessons. A Toptracer-equipped driving range is better if you want to watch a real ball flight outdoors.

Which Topgolf alternative is best for kids?

Monster Mini Golf is the clearest family-first option, while PopStroke works well for families who want outdoor putting, food, and extra space. Check local age, supervision, noise, and accessibility details before visiting.

Are there indoor alternatives to Topgolf?

Yes. Five Iron Golf and X-Golf offer indoor full-swing simulators. Puttshack, Puttery, and Swingers offer indoor social mini golf, while Monster Mini Golf offers indoor glow golf for families.

Do Topgolf alternatives require reservations?

Policies vary, but reservations are smart for Friday and Saturday evenings, holidays, dates, simulator bays, and groups. Book ahead whenever adjacent bays, a fixed start time, or an event package matters.

How do I find places like Topgolf near me?

Search official brand location pages first, then compare local driving ranges, golf simulators, indoor mini golf, adult mini golf venues, and the Mini Golf Spots course directory.

Is BigShots Golf an independent Topgolf alternative?

BigShots offers a similar full-swing range experience, but Topgolf Callaway acquired the BigShots business in 2023. This guide therefore treats BigShots as part of the Topgolf family rather than an independent alternative.