“Tee it high and let it fly” could be the slogan of Upper Deck Golf (no connection to the trading card company), a unique 9-hole golfing event that takes place in MLB ballparks and NFL stadiums. Nine individual, elevated tee boxes, each with several bays, are built and placed strategically in different locations throughout the stands on every stadium level, all the way to the upper deck. Sight lines and club selection change dramatically as players aim their shots down to the playing field, where nine designated “greens” make up the hole-by-hole targets.

Each hole is considered a Par 3, and scores are determined by where a shot lands: a hole in one earns one point; inside the circle is a birdie (2); on the green earns a par (3); and a ball landing off the green is a bogey (4). It can be difficult at times to track the ball, so greens light up when a player hits a successful shot.

Upper Deck Golf senior event manager Nick Bonner explained why this event should not be confused with Top Golf, another indoor golfing experience.

“This is unlike a stationary driving range,” he said. “You actually get to not only tour the entire stadium as you walk around and see everything, but you are also getting different vantage points. It’s nine very separate unique shots.”

This is a movable experience that requires a lot of walking, navigating steps and making your way through tiers of seats to reach each tee box. Signage directs players to follow a specific route from hole to hole. Some of the most popular holes are ones with platforms built out from dizzying heights on the upper level, where some players may feel just a bit nervous as they step up and view the green far, far below.

Location Location Location

Each course is as different as the stadium where the event is hosted, and each venue presents challenges. For example, weather – wind and rain – can be a factor at uncovered stadiums. But, as Bonner explained, Upper Deck Golf is a rain or shine event and even during a major downpour in Cincinnati, players still showed up.

He said, “No stadium was built for what we’re doing, right? So every stadium has its challenges. But I think that’s honestly what makes the event so unique, because it’s a mystery of where those tee boxes are going to go and how we’re going to line them up and, you know, making sure angles and safety are all considered.”

In 2024, Upper Deck Golf held 20 events in 20 different stadiums; double the 2023 total. The sites included historic venues like Wrigley Field, Citizens Bank Park, Fenway Park and Dodger Stadium.

World Golf Hall of Fame Member Sir Nick Faldo played a round at Wrigley Field and gave the event his wholeheardedendorsement.

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

The Basics

Upper Deck tries to ensure they offer a quality event with something for everyone. Players start and finish at the “clubhouse,” where they are provided with swag that includes a logo bag, 18 Srixon golf balls (two per hole) and a scorecard. They can start or finish their rounds with long drive, putting and closest to the pin challenges, amid a party atmosphere of music, food and drinks.

Players may opt for standard, premium or VIP packages, with prices varying depending on location and tee time. Generally, standard registration tee times are $79.99 per player. Premium and VIP packages include extra mulligans, complimentary entry to the clubhouse challenges, food and beverage.

Cost may be a determining factor in developing repeat customers.

At Chase Field in Phoenix, the final stop of the 2024 Upper Deck Golf tour, some players were enthusiastic about their experience, but slightly less enthusiastic about the cost.

Said golfer Felipe Rodriguez, “I agree it was pricey. To me, the price is kind of expensive, but to do it one time for fun, I mean for a different experience it was cool. But I don’t know if I’d do it again for that price.”

Former collegiate golfer Allison Powell (Eastern Washington University), however, loved everything about the experience. She played with her brother, a custom club maker, and his buddies, all of whom purchased the VIP package.

“It felt like a fun round of golf,” she said after completing the post-round challenges. “I would totally do this, like at the Cardinals or the Seahawks stadium.”

She also described what else made Chase Field a unique golf course.

“I probably shouldn’t say this, but somebody aimed for the swimming pool,” she laughed. “And we almost got hit on one hole when someone from a different hole hit of roof beam and it nearly ricocheted into us.”

Tee times begin as early as 7 am, with the last at 9 pm. According to Bonner, Saturday nights draw the biggest crowds, and the atmosphere changes as the sun goes down and the stadium lights come up.

Another issue from venue to venue is spacing of tee times to maintain a decent flow of players.

Explained Bonner, “We work really hard to cultivate a certain pace of play. It’s like normal golf. We don’t want people waiting in huge lines.”

Because distances vary, hole signage includes club selection recommendations. While players have the option of bringing their own clubs (no drivers or woods), Cleveland Golf irons – men’s, women’s, senior and left-handed clubs – are provided at each station.

As the exclusive equipment sponsor, Cleveland Golf also provides putters and drivers for the clubhouse contests.

Here to Stay

Sports stadiums are becoming multi-purpose venues that promote events on non-game days. Programming at Chase Field, for example, has included major concerts, professional rodeos, drone racing, WWE Royal Rumble, NCAA College Football Bowl games, Supercross and Monster Jams.

It was a superb venue for Upper Deck Golf and the event is already scheduled for a 2025 return visit.

Felipe Rodriguez spoke for most players when he summed up the experience.

“The organization is perfect, the day is perfect, being with friends is perfect.”