Golf Anytime, Any Weather

Beijing’s golf addicts can say goodbye to cold turkey this New Year. On a wintry December evening, BTM played a comfortable 18 holes in bright sunshine and we were never more than 10 feet away from the bar—courtesy of the city’s only indoor golf simulator.

This is a remarkable set-up. It’s more than just fun; it’s proper practice. Regular player Gavin Thompson said, “You hear simulator and you think computer game. But it's so much more than that.” Indeed, the simulator allows more than authentic shot-making. Computer sensors provide statistical feedback on everything from distance to club speed and ball spin.

Players tee up as normal, and then drive off into a fairway displayed on a 10-square-metre screen. Once the ball hits the screen, the computer creates an animated version players watch all the way to where it pitches and rolls. In tests with professional golfers, the simulator's makers say its sensors were reckoned to put the ball within five yards of where it would be if you were hitting outside.

The screen can display three-dimensional representations of 27 courses from around the world, rendered faithfully right down to the position of trees and bushes. Wherever the drive lands, the screen displays the view to the green from that position. Depending where that happens to be, the hitting area has an artificial fairways, rough and sand traps to play from. Once on the green, putting is no “gimme.” Every contour of the actual greens is represented on screen, so that the ball breaks realistically and rolls according to the elevation of the putt.

“For the player, the system gives back the kind of results and statistics that really personalize the game,” says Mick Willis, the resident professional who offers lessons using the simulator. “For me, I'm able to instantly receive statistical and graphical feedback of each shot and translate it into language that makes more sense for my client than if we were out on the driving range.”

BTM discovered another advantage, for nervous part-timers, at least. Freed from the walk of shame after a shanked drive or the scorn of impatient following groups, it's a great deal easier to focus on your shot. BTM hasn’t hit the ball so well in years.

What does it cost?

•      Recreation: 18 holes (3.5 hours) = 300 yuan (850 for three golfers, 1,100 for four)

•      Team Building/Client Relations: 3.5 hours for up to eight golfers, including catered snacks and free-flow beer, wine and soda = 3,000 yuan

•      Evening League: Teams of 2, one night a week for approximately 12 weeks = 200 yuan per golfer per week

•      Lessons: 10 x 1 hour with Australian PGA-accredited professional, including 18 holes at the conclusion of the 10 lessons = 5,000 yuan

A new Golf League begins on January 28.  Teams of two will compete once a week (Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evenings) for six weeks, with a break over the Chinese New Year. The schedule will be released in mid-to-late January once teams have been confirmed.

To play, contact Geoff Barton: +86 13522486135; geoff@avidgolfchina.com

For lessons, contact Michael Willis: +86 13240933516; Michael@avidgolfchina.com

 The simulator is at Avid Golf, Suite A-01 Jingdu International Hotel, 26 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District.