When I heard Upper Deck Golf was coming to Citi Field, I knew my son and I had to check it out. For those unfamiliar, Upper Deck Golf is a touring event that transforms iconic stadiums into temporary golf courses – you hit shots from the upper deck down to custom greens installed on the field below. We booked an 8 AM tee time for what turned out to be a really fun morning.
The Setup: Stadium Golf Done Right
The event benefited Stand Up To Cancer, which is a fantastic cause. Everything was well-organized from check-in through the rotation of all 9 stations positioned around Citi Field’s upper deck.
One thing to know: clubs are limited to 8-iron, 9-iron, and two wedges – no drivers, hybrids, or woods allowed. Makes sense from a safety perspective, and it’s actually an interesting challenge working with a limited bag.
Pro tip: Bring your own clubs if possible. PXG is the exclusive equipment partner and provides clubs, but we noticed some of the rental bags only had ladies clubs or were loaded entirely with 56-degree wedges. My son brought his 8-iron and I brought my own wedges, which made a big difference in being able to adapt to each station.
Each player gets 18 balls to play across the 9 stations – though I should note my son “borrowed” a few of mine when he ran through his supply faster than expected. The staff were incredibly nice about it and actually gave him a couple more balls to hit, which was a great touch. Each of the 9 stations featured about 8 hitting bays, which kept things moving at a good pace. All the bays had safety nets too, which I appreciated since my son was working through some swing mechanics and having trouble planting his lead foot consistently. The nets provided good peace of mind when you’re elevated in a stadium with people around. It was chilly at our 8:04 start – probably mid-40s – but warmed up nicely once we got swinging.
We also got a swag backpack as part of the experience, which was a nice bonus.
The Experience: Nine Stations Plus Trackman Challenges
Each station offered a different angle and challenge, hitting down to circular targets positioned around flags on the field. Some had you working wedge distances to closer targets, while others let you open up with the 8-iron and go after circles deep in the outfield.
The Coca Cola Corner station was our favorite spot. That iconic red wall with all the Mets branding made for great photos, and my son had fun posing with his club in front of it.
There’s something pretty cool about sending golf balls into a Major League Baseball outfield. Standing in the upper deck, looking down at Citi Field’s grass, and watching your ball sail through the air – it’s definitely a unique experience for any golfer.
Before and after your round, the Heineken lounge staging area has Trackman simulators set up with closest-to-the-pin and longest drive challenges. We spent some time there warming up, and my son was determined to post a respectable number on the leaderboard. The Trackman setup was a nice touch – gave us something to do while waiting for our tee time and a way to cap off the experience afterward.
The whole thing took about 60 minutes from first shot to last on the actual course. The staff kept things moving, and they had decent breakfast sandwiches available. The setup, from the custom greens to the rotation system to the safety precautions, was all well thought out.
A Full Day
After our round at Citi Field, we headed to the Sloomoo Institute in NYC. It’s basically a sensory experience museum centered around slime – a complete 180 from golf. After an hour of focus with the clubs, my son enjoyed getting messy and creative with different slime textures. Made for a fun father-son day overall.
Upper Deck Golf at Citi Field was a solid experience. The elevation, the stadium atmosphere, the limited club selection, the target-based format, and the Trackman challenges – it all adds up to something different from regular golf. The charity component, safety features, friendly staff, and organization were all well done. We had a great time, and I’m already planning to book a tee time for next year.
If Upper Deck Golf comes to a stadium near you, it’s worth checking out. Grab an early tee time if you can, bring a jacket, pack your own wedges and short irons, and expect something different from your usual round. The nets, the multiple bays per station, and the smooth rotation make it accessible for golfers at different skill levels.
Have you tried Upper Deck Golf at another stadium? Drop your experience in the comments.
David is an avid golfer who loves walking Connecticut’s courses and playing alongside his family. He’s passionate about golf course architecture and one day hopes to play at Pebble Beach.
