Golf News

Adult mini-golf concept with celebrity ties makes debut in Dallas

It'll have DJs and cocktails, for starters.

Photo courtesy of Puttery

Dallas-based Drive Shack is debuting a new golf experience, with the first location opening in the Dallas area: Called Puttery, it's a social entertainment mini-golf experience aimed at adults, opening at Grandscape in The Colony in late August.

President and CEO Hana Khouri calls the concept the company's "modern version of indoor putting." Is there a vintage version? Modern putting means:

auto-scoring technology
high-energy atmosphere including DJs
culinary offerings and craft cocktails

With the combination of a food and beverage program, music, and a lively bar area, the idea is that guests can hang out before, during, and after their tee time.

"This isn't your typical night at the mini-golf course. Puttery will offer ... an experience unlike any other," Khouri says in a release.

The concept also has a celebrity tie, assuming you consider golfers to be celebrities: They've teamed up with PGA star Rory McIlroy, a golfer from Ireland who has won 28 tournaments worldwide.

McIlroy is an investor but also helped create the concept.

"I have been collaborating with the Drive Shack team for more than two years on Puttery and have remained engaged throughout its entire evolution," McIlroy says in a statement. "I look forward to the opening of our first Puttery venues this summer in both Dallas and Charlotte and am committed to investing in the growth and development of future Puttery venues, contributing to their success in the coming years."

Located at 5762 Grandscape Blvd., #105, The Colony Puttery will be just over 20,000 square feet, spanning two floors, with four 9-hole golf courses, each with their own theme: Rooftop, Lodge, Library, and Illusion.

The details on these courses are designed to immerse you into the experience. And while the food will be served in the lounge areas only, you can take your cocktails with you on every course.

There will be three bars located throughout the venue, including an indoor-outdoor patio bar on the second floor, which overlooks an outdoor amphitheater. There are also multiple lounges and seating areas throughout.

Dallas is the first, but will be followed by a venue in Charlotte, North Carolina, with three more coming soon, including Washington DC, Miami, and Houston.

Drive Shack also owns the American Golf and Drive Shack chains.

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Hits for a Good Cause

CultureMap writer and Cowboys crush it for charity in home run derby

CultureMap's Alex Bentley competing in the Media League part of the 2026 Reliant Home Run Derby

Photo courtesy of Reliant

CultureMap's Alex Bentley competed in the Media League part of the 2026 Reliant Home Run Derby.

There was some friendly rivalry on and off the field at the 13th annual Reliant Home Run Derby at Riders Field in Frisco on May 14, where members of the Dallas Cowboys and a dozen local media members stepped up to the plate to raise money for North Texas charities.

Before Cowboys fans showed up for the main event, the day kicked off with the 10th annual Reliant Media League, featuring 12 reporters from around Dallas-Fort Worth - including CultureMap's Alex Bentley - taking their hacks for a charity of their choice.

On what was said to be one of the hottest days in the event's history, each media participant got 10 swings in the first of three rounds, earning $100 for every hit and $300 for every home run.

Bentley, a first-time competitor, advanced to the second round with four others, and with a strong second-round performance - including a home run on his final swing - made the three-swing final round against WFAA reporter Sean Giggy.

CultureMap's Alex Bentley celebrating a home run in the Media League part of the 2026 Reliant Home Run Derby. Photo by Brandon Wade/AP Content Services for Reliant

With Kristi Scales, sideline reporter for the Dallas Cowboys Radio Network, calling the action, Giggy narrowly edged Bentley by hitting two home runs compared to Bentley's two hits and one home run.

Collectively, the media members raised $36,220 for local North Texas charities, including $4,335 by Giggy for his charity, Keeper of the Game, and $4,135 by Bentley for his charity, The Street Dog Project.

The Street Dog Project is comprised of a small group of volunteers who, since 2016, have rescued hundreds of dogs from the streets and found them loving homes.

WFAA reporter Sean Giggy celebrating his win the Media League portion of the 2026 Reliant Home Run Derby WFAA reporter Sean Giggy and his son celebrating his win in the Media League portion of the 2026 Reliant Home Run Derby. Photo by Brandon Wade/AP Content Services for Reliant

Reached for comment, Bentley said: "For a 50-year-old man who hadn't touched a baseball bat in 16 years to even compete was amazing, but to be one of the finalists was beyond all my expectations. I'm very happy with my performance, but even happier that I was able to raise a lot of money for a good cause."

Ten Cowboys players then took the field in front of hundreds of fans, trading in their pads for a bat for a chance at baseball glory.

Participants included Bryan Anger, Brandon Aubrey, Jake Ferguson, DeMarvion Overshown, Dak Prescott, Luke Schoonmaker, Trent Sieg, Tyler Smith, Terence Steele, and Sam Williams.

With each hit and home run earning a donation from Reliant, the teammates raised a total of $80,000 to benefit The Salvation Army of North Texas.

Ferguson, the Cowboys tight end, was named the 2026 Reliant Home Run Derby Champion with $20,600 raised and 22 home runs.

As the winner, Ferguson also received a $10,000 bonus from Reliant for his chosen charity, the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation.

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson celebrating his win at the 2026 Reliant Home Run Derby.Photo by Brandon Wade/AP Content Services for Reliant

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