While email remains an important channel, Topgolf recognized that it was not always the best fit for more immediate, in-the-moment messaging. As guest behavior evolved, so did the need for a faster, more direct way to connect with them. Over a decade later, Topgolf remains happily partnered with Vibes and their comprehensive mobile marketing solution.
Topgolf is built around play. With more than 100 venues across the U.S., the brand has helped redefine modern golf through tech-driven games, great food and drinks, spaces for group events, and an experience built to bring more play to more people.
Back in 2013, Topgolf relied heavily on email to communicate with players. While email remains an important channel, the team recognized that it was not always the best fit for more immediate, in-the-moment messaging. As guest behavior evolved, so did the need for a faster, more direct way to connect.
Topgolf saw a clear gap between when messages were sent and when players actually saw them. With many visits decided on short notice, email was not always the best channel for influencing plans in the moment.
“If there was something we wanted to communicate, we may have sent an email in the morning, but they might not look at it until 6 p.m.,” said Shaun Sinnott, Senior Director of CRM/Martech at Topgolf. “That defeats the purpose if you’re trying to drive a lunch or early evening visit.”
That’s when the team realized SMS needed to become a bigger part of the mix — not only to engage players in a more immediate way, but also to help drive visits more effectively.
Topgolf chose Vibes for the flexibility it offered in building a more dynamic mobile program. From Text2Win campaigns to interactive voting and more, the platform gave the team room to be creative while reaching players in a more timely way.
Just as important, Vibes quickly became more than a vendor. They became a true partner.
“I never have to worry about the platform,” said Sinnott. “Vibes is always on top of what’s next, like RCS, and is often one of the first to bring new ideas to us. That partnership is a big reason we’ve stayed.”
The Topgolf team also valued Vibes’ focused approach to mobile engagement. Rather than trying to be an all-in-one solution, Vibes stayed centered on helping Topgolf build a stronger SMS and mobile messaging program.
Together, Topgolf and Vibes built a program that connects smoothly with customer data and supports more personalized messaging based on membership status, venue-specific offers, and player behavior.
Topgolf uses Vibes for SMS, MMS, Mobile Wallet, and now RCS — all within a single platform.
“The things Vibes rolls out are just part of doing business with our existing contract,” Sinnott said. “I don’t have to ask, ‘Is this going to cost more?’ It’s simply part of the platform.”
Topgolf has used the Vibes platform for more than a decade to help engage and retain players. The team uses SMS, MMS, and mobile wallet messaging to promote seasonal menu items, encourage bay bookings, highlight new venue attractions, extend offers, send reminders, and more.
Mobile has proven especially effective for timely engagement, where speed and visibility matter most.
“SMS works best when it reaches players at the right moment,” said Sinnott. “It remains an important way for us to stay connected with players, but we now see it as much more than that, it helps create urgency, increase conversion, and drive repeat visits.”
The team also appreciates that while Vibes has continued to evolve the platform over time, it has done so without creating unnecessary complexity.
“Vibes has done a good job integrating enhancements and updates without completely disrupting the process our team is used to,” Sinnott said.
SMS and MMS continue to drive incremental conversions and repeat visits, and as Topgolf expands its use of RCS, the team sees even more opportunity to evolve how it connects with players through mobile.
Topgolf has used the Vibes platform for more than a decade to help engage and retain players. The team uses SMS, MMS, and mobile wallet messaging to promote seasonal menu items, encourage bay bookings, highlight new venue attractions, extend offers, send reminders, and more.
Mobile has proven especially effective for timely engagement, where speed and visibility matter most.
“SMS works best when it reaches players at the right moment,” said Sinnott. “It remains an important way for us to stay connected with players, but we now see it as much more than that, it helps create urgency, increase conversion, and drive repeat visits.”
The team also appreciates that while Vibes has continued to evolve the platform over time, it has done so without creating unnecessary complexity.
“Vibes has done a good job integrating enhancements and updates without completely disrupting the process our team is used to,” Sinnott said.
SMS and MMS continue to drive incremental conversions and repeat visits, and as Topgolf expands its use of RCS, the team sees even more opportunity to evolve how it connects with players through mobile.
“We’ve happily partnered with Vibes for well over a decade. We never have to worry about the platform, the pricing is fair, the service and proactive consultation are fantastic, and Vibes has consistently been a true partner and thought leader across SMS, MMS, Mobile Wallet, and now RCS.”
Sr. Director, CRM / Martech
