And they're off. Beginning Thursday, Aug. 10, the world's greatest golfers will hit the links at Quail Hollow, in Charlotte, at 7:35 a.m. for the summer's final major golf tournament, the PGA Championship.
An hour later, the dynamic trio of Sergio Garcia (who triumphed at the 2017 Masters back in April, taking home $1.9 million), Brooks Koepka (who took home the big $2.1 million chuck of the U.S. Open's whopping $12 million purse in June), and Jordan Spieth (who won the British Open in July and would complete a career Grand Slam with a win in Charlotte) will tee off at No. 10. It should be an exciting first day for lovers of golf.
But what to do afterwards and in between?
That's where Creative Loafing comes in. On the following pages, you'll find out where to get your own practice in at area driving ranges, Par 3 courses and tons of mini golf options for the kiddies. If you're in town with a golf lover but could care less about golf, we have a few non-golf recommendations. Take them with a sense of humor, please. And if disc golf is more your thing, we have you covered there, too, as Charlotte has become the most popular disc golf destination in the country.
Then later, party it up at the new Top Golf, where you can do it all: play games, hook up, drink and drive (with a club, that is). Just remember — don't take this PGA thing so damn seriously. It's just golf. — Mark Kemp, editor
Editor's Note: A Secret History of Hipsters & Golf, by Mark Kemp
Drinking & Driving: A Night at Top Golf, by Ryan Pitkin
Top 10 Mini Golf, Driving Ranges & Par 3 Courses, by Mark Kemp
Top 5 Disc Golf Courses, by Ryan Pitkin
7 Non-Golf Excursions, by Pat Moran, Dana Vindigni and Mark Kemp