Toptracer is the latest technology that brings the TV golf experience to the driving range, but it also offers much more than that as Women & Golf's Editor, Alison Root, discovered.
By: Alison Root
I’m the first to admit to being a fair weather player, so now that winter is upon us, I have to try really hard to build up enthusiasm to get out on a golf course in cold and wet weather or pay a visit to a driving range to ensure I keep my swing going – and of course, practise!
Indeed, golf ranges have come up in the world since I started playing golf over 25 years ago, as most are no longer cold and dreary places, but a pleasant way to spend a winter’s evening with many offering bays with heaters, a decent golf shop and a café.
Aside from traditional golf ranges, there are four Topgolf centres in the UK that definitely put the fun into golf. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t got any golfing ability, anyone can play by scoring points hitting micro-chipped golf balls. Topgolf might not always suit the more ‘serious’ golfer, but now there is a way to combine fun with proper practice at a golf range that has introduced Toptracer.
Toptracer technology brings the TV golf experience at professional tournaments to the driving range. Players can track and analyse every shot with the screen displaying shot-shape and data such as total distance and carry, ball speed, launch angle and height. This technology certainly provides golfers with a great opportunity to get the most out of a practice session, especially if they are serious about improving their game.
Toptracer’s additional games are the fun part, bringing people together for a social experience, but they also attract both avid and novice golfers. Rather than stand in a bay and hit shot after shot with the same club, which is what I tend to do, you can use all the clubs in your bag by competing against a golfing pal by playing virtual golf on a world-renowned course. Alternatively you can play nearest to the pin or longest drive. Personally I found theToptracer skills challenges not only great fun, but also a fantastic way to work on distance control, understanding exactly how far you hit each club. It’s also possible to track your shot history by club using the Toptracer app. Most importantly, I didn’t even notice it being cold!
My first Toptracer experience took place at Golf Kingdom in Romford, Essex, and interestingly this venue installed the technology as a trial. When it was taken out after the initial period, many customers complained so it was reinstalled. Now customers are happy and Golf Kingdom is too as bays are full!
To find a golf range with Toptracer, visit: www.toptracer.com
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