Full disclosure: I'm a sailor, not a golfer, and it's been my experience that there isn't much crossover between those two sports. But I have played golf. I even took lessons for the better part of a year. While I don't particularly enjoy the game, I do enjoy being outside having a couple drinks with friends and taking in some nice scenery. Which is why I'm a little dubious about this indoor golf facility in Midtown clearly marketed toward finance professionals. Don't get me wrong, the place looks plush and it's cool that it combines a gym with golfing right down the street from your office. But could you really imagine 18 holes of this? Am I missing something? What say you, golfers of Wall Street?
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Unless you are testing out new clubs or getting some practice in during the winter this really can't be an actual alternative to golfing with friends on a nice Saturday morning. I'm an average golfer at best and 90% of my enjoyment of the game comes from the weather/course and who I'm playing with. If I based all of my enjoyment on how I actually play I'd be one miserable fuck.
I actually worked at a gym that had one of these simulators during college. Pretty much exactly what you said, people would come in to work on their drive and for lessons; primarily during the winter. It was dead during the summer.
If you've used one though, they are pretty cool. You can choose from virtually any course on the planet to play on.
Those were fun to use at the mall when I was a kid, but I would be bored with them now.
Great for practice I guess. I wouldn't go though, the social aspect is why I play as well.
Here in Atlanta they are about to open a place called Top Golf where it functions like a driving range, but has games that are a little like darts.
You have a booth with your friends/clients/co-workers and they have a full bar and restaurant and you hit balls like a driving range, but they have sensors that can tell where the ball went and you can score points depending on the game you play.
Seems like it will be fun to try and might be more social than playing an actual round of golf with the added bonus of being outside.
Damn. I sound like a marketing person...but I am excited to try it.
Top Golf is pretty sweet, but it's not really "golf". It's a social driving range with beer and pretty good food. I've gone with my wife and another couple a few times and I'm the only one of the 4 who has ever been on a course, but it was still fun for everyone. You can probably play it strategically, but we all just took turns driving the ball and points are pretty arbitrary from there. I think my wife even won one of the game because she duffed every shot into the huge hole ("target") right in front of our range stall and my drives weren't ending up in targets.
The better comparison is probably to a fancier bumper bowling. Everyone drinks and eats and has fun, but the winner is by no means the best bowler.
@"Edmundo Braverman" I'm surprised that this is a new concept in New York. There are a pretty good number of these places in Chicago. It's actually pretty fun and relatively accurate, with the exception of putting. It does not beat a nice Saturday in the sun with friends, but for nights, winter or practice this is a good alternative. A few of my friends are pretty serious golfers and I'll go with them to the simulators 2 or 3 times each winter.
Good to know. At least it is pretty fun. Probably the only way I'll get my wife to even attempt golf.
Ditto what everyone else has said, pretty much a winter only thing... And nothing really replaces hitting off grass. I HATE hitting off turf.
Sidenote - Bethpage is VERY easy to get to via public transportation; train from penn to Farmingdale, 2 min cab from the station. You can even buy a cab voucher at penn, makes it even easier.
Hitting off the mat/turf is awful. After like 10-15 balls my wrists start hurting and you obviously can't get under the ball. I pretty much refuse to do it unless I am working on tee shots only.
Just a heads up, if you are in NYC, the range on Randell's island has a decent grass range. Kind of a bitch to get to via public transport but MUCH cheaper than Chelsea and often less crowded.
With many office jobs working banking hours and golf course fees higher than in the States, these are actually common in Asia, e.g. downtown Seoul. Just as there are far more driving range-only places (many right in the middle of some of the city's nicest - and still dense - residential districts) than actual golf courses.
While you don't get the nice walk in the scenery, I saw people actually go to these as socializers / business mixers with drinks and all for several hours; with bragging rights always going to the guys who could claim having been on the actual course shown on the screen.
Played 9 on one of these in March while it was snowing outside. Hell of a lot of fun, will definitely be back more often next winter.
Disagree with most of the people in here. I go at least twice a week to "Golf Manhattan" near midtown during my lunch break and think it is a fantastic alternative. While the mat can be very forgiving to hit off, you can learn about all different factors that affect a ball's flight path. I've been able to develop a better draw and fade shot using the simulators while also learning how spin, and swing speed truly affect my shot. It is also great to develop repetition with your swing. Plus, how else can I golf in NYC when I work 5 days a week?
I usually stick to the range aspect of the simulators as it's a great training tool, however I've done courses and they are just as fun. No putting aspect to the game though.
If you truly enjoy the actual game of golf, and not moreso the social aspect then this is a great alternative for a city dweller. I'm a 9 handicap just in case anyone wants to judge.
I think you mean this is how Wall Street golfs in midtown Manhattan.
Even though I have given up on the game of golf I can see how this would be useful/fun. I think something like this would compliment those indoor tropics centers nicely. Like that converted airship hangar in Germany. @"Edmundo Braverman" one day when I am all grown up I would love to have a Wally sailboat.
I never got the appeal. But variety is the spice of life. I certainly wouldn't turn down a Wally if someone wanted to buy me one.
My desire for a Wally comes from me being a sucker for modern design aesthetics.
@"Edmundo Braverman" you're a better booze hound than a sailor...
QFT. And I'm a damn good sailor.
Damn you @"edmundo braverman"
All this did was remind everyone of the annoying dude in the office who does imaginary golf swings while shooting the shit. In reality shooting the shit involved triple checking the time to make sure he leaves to go practice put put in his cube/office alone.
i hate this guy
Sounds like one hell of a networking opportunity.
wow, that's extremely cheap for something to do in the winter
Golf Manhattan before 1 PM is $20 for a half hour. Definitely cheap...
but do you see any DB MDs swinging their dicks there? nope.
@BTbanker, especially in NY.
Worst part about practicing on mats all winter is when you get out on a somewhat wet course and take half the fairway with you on your approach shot.
Hell I just play Wii golf, it's more forgiving.
Damn you, this was going to be my snarky quip in response to this thread, but you beat me to it.
Great minds think alike. I seriously did play a little Wii after watching part of the Masters.
The key word here is "having to much money to spend"
I'd use this quite a bit in the winters here if it wasn't so expensive.
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