Horseshoe Baltimore will offer visitors a feel for the Topgolf experience and give a wider range of guests a reason to visit the casino with the opening of its Topgolf Swing Suites March 30.
Topgolf, in its full-blown version, is a high-energy, high-tech 21st century turn on the old-fashioned golf driving range. The Topgolf concept has been popular around the country, and the first urban Topgolf is scheduled to be built just north of the Horseshoe Baltimore with an anticipated opening sometime in 2020.
However, right now, Horseshoe Baltimore visitors will be able to sample an indoor version of Topgolf in a pair of simulation suites where participants can slam golf balls into screens with extraordinary animated graphics. And the experience isn’t limited to golf. The graphics, computer software and equipment are adaptable to baseball, football, hockey and even zombie dodgeball.
As many as eight people can play in a single suite and participants don’t have to be experts in any sport in order to enjoy the games and compete against their friends.
“Clearly, it brings some energy and excitement to the casino floor in a different way and that allows people to participate and a have a good time [even without gambling],” said Erin Chamberlin, the general manager of Horseshoe Baltimore. “We’re always trying to get the word out to people that you don’t have to be a gambler to have a good time here.”
The twin Topgolf Swing Suites are located near the entrance to the casino’s poker room and next to the Tag Bar. Food will be available as well.
The location would appear to be ideal considering the customers who are most likely to be attracted.
“Tying it in to the Tag Bar, where we tend to show sports programming all the time and has a little more youthful vibe as well, plus being near the poker room — it brings all those folks together,” Chamberlin said.
The golf simulation features the Topgolf range experience and dozens of famous real golf courses, such as Pebble Beach, Torrey Pines and Oakmont. And frankly, it’s perfect for friendly competition since most competitions have some type of scoring.
There are numerous Topgolf Swing Suites in operation in 19 states and Canada. The Swing Suites are at several casinos, including Harrah’s Philadelphia in Chester, Pa., and the Ocean Resort Casino in Atlantic City, N.J.
Cost for a Topgolf Swing Suite at Horseshoe Baltimore is $50 an hour per suite for up to eight participants.
At the Baltimore Horseshoe, the Swing Suites will be available for walk-up customers Thursday through Sunday, and reservations will also be available eventually on the OpenTable reservations website.
Walk-up hours are: Thursday, noon to 10 p.m.; Friday, noon to 2 a.m.; Saturday, noon to 2 a.m.; Sunday, noon to 9 p.m. Food and drinks are available at certain times Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Photo Credit: Bill Ordine/PressBox