Stephen Moskal is the Director of Instruction at TopGolf in Alexandria, one of three TopGolf locations in the country. In TopGolf, players score points by hitting balls implanted with microchips to targets ranging from about 20 to 240 yards. In addition to playing professionally in France, Moskal has designed a 27-hole course near Paris and laid out the first golf course in Mongolia.
When did you start working at TopGolf?
I started working there in June of 2005. I was hired by Mitchell Spearman, a top-100 instructor and the founder of TopGolf.
What did you do in golf before working there?
I played through high school and college, then moved overseas and turned pro in Europe. I spent 10 years there, from 1990 to 2000. I moved back because my playing career ended for different reasons, including that I wasn’t making enough money.
What are the advantages to TopGolf versus practicing at a regular driving range?
One is that you’re using regulation golf balls — you’re getting a real Top-Flite ball to hit. Two, the feedback hitting at the targets makes for such a stimulating practice. The average driving range is boring at best these days. At the end of the day, golf is about getting your ball to a target. [Top Golf] constantly makes you think ‘target’ when you’re practicing. I’ll be honest — driving ranges are improving, but that’s always been one of the difficulties with practicing.
How does the system work?
Think of the targets as dartboards. When your ball goes into the target, you get points. Targets farther out are worth more — the center target on a 90-yard shot is worth six or eight points, for example, where the center target at 240 [would be] worth 10 points.
How do you compete against other golfers?
There is a handicap system in place. We have golf leagues. It’s like the traditional golf handicap system — you have to play a certain amount of rounds for it to take effect. Once the stats are in place, they’re very accurate.
