Ok Raleigh, if you’re looking for unique and fun things to do in the City of Oaks, put Drive Shack Raleigh on your list of activities!
We’ve played there twice now and both times had a blast. Don’t worry, no golf experience is necessary, and you can make it as competitive as you like. For us it’s more about having a hit, a drink, and a laugh.
In case you don’t know, the Raleigh Drive Shack opened its 65,000-square-foot facility in Raleigh in August 2019, and excluding the craziness of 2020 it’s been one of the popular Raleigh attractions, and it’s only a 12-minute drive from downtown Raleigh, and 15 minutes from the airport.
Currently there are three other Drive Shacks around the country; Orlando, West Palm Beach and Richmond. So if you are just visiting Raleigh and searching on your phone for a Drive Shack near me, you’re in luck!
What Is Drive Shack?
If you’ve never heard of Drive Shack, it’s basically a three-story interactive golf driving range. The 260-yard-long driving range combines physical targets to aim for with augmented reality and virtual games.
They utilize radar-based TrackMan technology, pinpointing the flight of your golf ball and allowing you to virtually play real-world championship golf courses or go head-to-head against friends to collect points for hitting physical targets (games are tracked and scored on television screens inside your bay).
The bays are all-weather climate controlled with fans for the humid Carolina summers, and heaters for the cooler months. Each bay has lounge seating, and there’s a bar and restaurant on site serving pretty good food, as well as craft beers and cocktails.
Of course there’s table service to your bay, you just order from the friendly staff and play your chosen game from the options on the TV screens.
I call it the “new best drinking game ever”. Not too serious, and a fun way to get outside and compete against your friends, or yourself.
We first played last September for my birthday and even though I’m the only one in the family remotely interested in golf, we all had fun and went back again for another hit this week and just added it to our list of top Raleigh attractions.
This game is FUN and perfect for groups of friends, couples, or families like us.
Featured amenities
- 96 Full Service All-Weather Bays
- Free Use of TaylorMade Golf Clubs (for men, women, and kids)
- Unlimited Golf Balls
- 300+ TVs
- Interactive Games & Golf Courses
- Bars & Restaurant
We started off playing the “ShackJack” game, Drive Shack’s take on Black Jack. The TV screen flashes up the dealer’s hand, then you have targets to hit that represent a number. You keep hitting until you get 21, or higher than the dealer, and can choose to stay.
And our kids always enjoy playing Monster Hunt, you earn points by hitting virtual targets (monsters) to save the princess.
For the avid golfers out there, you can also practice, virtually, on celebrated courses around the world and get feedback on their swing with Pro Practice, which tracks ball distance, spin and speed.
And if you have your own clubs, you’re welcome to use them!
In pre-pandemic times they had live entertainment and events, so keep an eye on their website for updates related to the current state of the world.
The third floor Rooftop Terrace features great views with spacious lounge seating, fire pits and a 125-guest capacity. So even when you’re not playing, it’s a nice space to hangout.
Food & Drink
The food and drink menu is solid and consists of your typical burgers, wings, tacos, nachos, salads etc.
As for the drinks, take your choice from local craft beer, cocktails and spirits. And you can eat and drink whilst playing in your designated bay!
- Check out the food and drinks menu here.
Drive Shack Prices
Drive Shack allows guests and groups to rent bays by the hour. This gives you access to wait-service plus the unlimited driving range balls, full sets of TaylorMade golf clubs, a climate-controlled seating area, televisions and more.
Pricing varies based on the time and the day.
During peak times – typically after 5pm – a maximum price of $45 per hour is in place to rent an entire bay (each person pays less than $10 per hour if you bring a group of six).
Happy hour and late-night specials may also appear on the venue’s calendar.
Costs:
- Open – 1PM $25 bay/hour
- 1PM – 5PM $35 bay/hour
- 5PM – Close $45 bay/hour
Note: Up to six (6) guests per Bay.
Bay rentals are done on a first-come, first-served basis. Expect a wait during evenings and weekends.
Note: Reservations can be made up to 1 week in advance. Same day reservations can be booked if available. Reservation is for single bay.
Book a 2 bay package here.
Drive Shack Hours
Drive Shack Raleigh is open seven days a week. Hours:
- Monday – Friday (10am – 12am)
- Saturday & Sunday (9am -12am)
Note: alcohol is served until 11pm
This is definitely one of the most fun things to do in Raleigh. Once the world returns to more “normalcy” I can see us frequenting Drive Shack more often with groups of friends.
Have you played yet? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Location
- Address: 6901 Play Golf Way, Raleigh
- Website: www.DriveShack.com/locations/raleigh
They have 400 parking spaces at Drive Shack Raleigh NC, so you shouldn’t have a problem on busy days and events.
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