My friends and my fiancée watch as our other friend moves to set up his putt at PopStroke in Austin. It took us about two hours to make it through one of the 18-hole courses.
Photo by Samantha Harms, Command Information Chief
AUSTIN, Texas — When I was a little girl, it was all my mom could do to keep my brother and I occupied during our summer months. The on-post golf course at Fort Polk, Louisiana, offered golfing lessons and she jumped at the chance to take us together. It was such a formative time for me, helping to inspire my love of sports in general. While my golfing abilities never developed, I still love hitting a golf ball and just the general atmosphere. When PopStroke opened just an hour down the road from Fort Hood, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to relive my golfing era.
PopStroke has labeled themselves as “Austin’s mini golf oasis,” and I am strongly inclined to agree with them. For the main event, they offer two 18-hole putting courses, with synthetic fairways, rough patches and unexcepted turns. Ahead of the courses, there is a practice area for those who need to refresh how to swing their putter or simply want to warm up.
My fiancée, Gene Meginnes, celebrates a hole-in-one on her first putt, and the first putt of the group, on our visit.
Photo by Samantha Harms, Command Information Chief
When my friends, my fiancée and I visited, PopStroke had just opened. The crowds were thick as everyone wanted a chance to see what the new space was all about. It took our group of five people about two hours to make it through one course. I didn’t really notice how long it took though until after, as we were all fully invested in friendly competition and the atmosphere of the venue.
In addition to the courses, PopStroke has three pickleball courses, two sand volleyball courts, a full-service restaurant, a plethora of TVs and jumbotrons, an ice cream parlor and an e-sport lounge. They also have on-course service, meaning you never need to leave the course if you need a beverage of any kind.
Sand volleyball is one of the many activities at PopStroke patrons can utilize.
Photo by Samantha Harms, Command Information Chief
We all opted to eat at PopStroke prior to stepping out on the course, and everyone enjoyed their meals. The mozzarella sticks were perfectly crisped, and the cheese pull was to die for. Sticking with the theme of the night, aka cheese, I also ordered the kids grilled cheese and was surprised how good it was. It’s an easy meal to make, sure, but it isn’t easy to make it good, and PopStroke did it perfectly.
Ordering food, and even drinks if you don’t go to the only physical bar, can be a little confusing though. You need to find a seated area and either order through QR codes found at the seating area or download their app. The staff though was helpful in pointing us in the right direction.
PopStroke has more than a dozen locations across the country, with Austin’s location making number five for Texas. Whether you visit here or anywhere else, you’ll have a time that is, “par” none, wonderful. For more information about PopStroke in Austin, visit popstroke.com/venues/austin.