I’ve been working hard on my golf game lately, working to chip away at my handicap. But at the end of the day, golf is supposed to be fun, right? Last weekend, my girlfriend and I went to Topgolf with two other couples, and while pulling into the Greenville location, a question popped into my head: is this actually helping my game—or could it be making things worse?

Now, don’t get me wrong—Topgolf has its perks. The chicken tenders are amazing, and the heated bays make it a great way to spend a cold afternoon as the fall and winter roll in. Sometimes it’s less about swing mechanics and more about being with friends, staying warm, and laughing in between shots.

Here’s how I see it: Topgolf is kind of like the Home Run Derby in baseball (I am overanalyzing, I know). You’re still swinging, but not in the same way you would during a real game. In fact, some baseball players have said the Derby messed with their swing for weeks afterward. Golf isn’t all that different. At Topgolf, you’re hitting shots, but it’s not the same rhythm, setup, or mindset you’d take to the course. After a couple hours in the bay, here’s my honest take.

If you’re just getting started, Topgolf is awesome. The atmosphere is relaxed, the food’s good, and the games give you something to aim at without the pressure of playing 18 holes. Sure, it costs more than your local driving range, but as an introduction to golf, it’s hard to beat. You’ll laugh a lot, and you’ll also realize pretty quickly why the rest of us are hooked on this crazy game.

This is where things get tricky. Topgolf isn’t really designed for serious practice. The back net is only about 225 yards away, you’re hitting off mats, and it’s way too easy to fall into “swing harder, hit farther” mode. For me, that’s a fast track to bad habits.

It also messes with routine. On the range, I’ll go through a pre-shot process—practice swing, alignment, deep breath. At Topgolf, it feels more like bowling. You step up, rip a shot, and then do the awkward walk back to your friends on the couch. Not exactly the same rhythm I want before teeing off on a Saturday.

That said, there are ways to make it useful. If you stick to wedges or short irons, you can get some meaningful practice in. The scoring games make distance control a little more fun, and the heated bays are perfect when it’s cold outside. But if you’re chasing real improvement, a focused range session will always give you more.

When the six of us went, I probably only hit 30 balls in two hours. It was fun, but it was about the laughs and food more than the golf.

So here’s how I’d frame it:

At the end of the day, expecting Topgolf to sharpen your game is kind of like playing putt-putt and thinking you’ll come out a better putter. It’s golf-adjacent, but it’s not a replacement for the real thing. What it is—and what makes it great—is a social hangout, a way to bring new people into the game, and a reminder that golf doesn’t always have to be so serious.

With a couple of big rounds on my schedule this fall, I’ll be heading back to the range for the real work well before I play again. But sometimes, it’s nice to just laugh with friends, swing without overthinking, and order another round of those chicken tenders while the heaters keep you warm.