'Tech-infused mini-golf' at the Natick Mall is one step closer to opening

NATICK — Puttshack, the high-tech mini-golf course that's coming to the Natick Mall, recently cleared a key hurdle ahead of its planned opening later this year.

The business received a liquor license from the Natick Select Board on June 28, moving the process forward for the entertainment retail store that will take the mall spot that was previously occupied by an American Girl doll store.

Puttshack is a Chicago-based startup that claims to be the "the world's first and only upscale, tech-infused mini-golf destination with global food and drink." Its Natick location will feature three distinct nine-hole courses, spread across two floors.

'Ideal destination': Puttshack to bring its high-tech mini golf business to Natick Mall

"Puttshack is an entertainment and restaurant venue for mini-golf, combined with upscale food and cocktails," said Elizabeth Pisano, an attorney representing the company, during the June 28 Select Board meeting. "They have successfully opened six locations in different major cities, the Natick location is 20,600 square feet, and will feature two levels plus an outdoor patio."

Puttshack's "Trackball" technology tracks golfers' scores as they make their way around the course, upping the integrity of the game and taking stress off players trying to keep score.

Puttshack has seen rapid expansion

The business opened in London before expanding to the U.S. in 2021 with locations in Atlanta and Chicago. A Boston location in the Seaport district opened last year, with the company then adding locations in Denver, Houston, Miami, Pittsburgh, Scottsdale (Arizona) and St. Louis.

Each course features nine holes, including several complicated ones. One hole at the Boston location, called "Beer Pong," involves hitting a ball up a ramp and into one of the 10 giant red cups set up in beer pong formation. Dropping a ball through the cup at the top of the formation will lead directly to the hole, while hitting the ball into any of the other cups leads to more challenging follow-up shots.

Kerry Henderson, director of operations at Puttshack in Boston, said the Seaport location has been hugely successful since opening last October.

"We are averaging about 60,000 visitors a month," Henderson said. "Bringing it to Natick is going to be super exciting, I'm hoping to get some great managers."

She said Puttshack plans to add "13 salaried managers."

'Non-traditional location': Wegmans says it will close its Natick Mall store by summer's end

Select Board member Paul Joseph said during the June 28 meeting that he has visited the Seaport location and enjoyed the experience, and cited that it's great to see more development coming into the mall, particularly after Wegmans announced its closure.

"Obviously, we have had some interesting news with Wegmans deciding to close their operation at the Natick Mall, but for many years the mall has been adding entertainment retail, and there is a transformation going on regarding indoor mall space, and I think this is a great amenity here," Joseph said. "As a parent and a patron of the Seaport location, you have the testimony of at least one, very competitive, patron."

Puttshack is the latest entertainment option to come to the mall, replacing more traditional retail options. Gamebox, a virtual-reality video game attraction opened last month, and Level99, a series of escape rooms and games, opened in June 2021 on the second floor of the former Sears location. Arcade and restaurant chain Dave & Buster's opened in 2019.

'Sort of like VR': Gamebox brings immersive gaming to the Natick Mall

Select Board Chair Bruce Evans credited the mall for finding ways to repurpose retail space with new attractions that will bring in traffic.

"I want to give kudos to the mall," he said. "They continue to be creative and find new ways to repurpose key locations, and they continue to amaze me in what they can do."

Games for the Boston location are priced at $18 for adults and $10 for children.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Puttshack closer to opening location at the Natick Mall