Conference 7.286::golf

    I did the Pebble Beach link last night.
    
    It was alot of fun. A first class outfit
    
    worth checking out.
    
    Chuck O.

The $25/hour is the weekend rate - it's $22 during the week.

Hour and a half at $25 per = $37.50 or $18.75 per person.  Seems like a lot for
artificial play, but I guess that there aren't too many altrnatives at this time
of the year.  I wonder if their rates are seasonal - it's probably tough to get
customers at that rate when they can play for-real for not much more.

BTW - they said that "everybody else" is charging $28/hr.

    I'll remember you guys on the "simulators" while I'm out on the 
    green stuff this weekend !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just a jab at our snow-
    abound noters !!!
    
    Mad Hacker

    One of these simulator set ups run 25k+.  I have some info from ParT
    Golf in Vegas.  They show how to set up, how much room is needed. 
    Seems like a gold mine for winter as well as a great potential for a
    teaching/learning aid.  A potential business is to buy one and set  it
    up at a range for use in winter and/or for lessons.  Also they go well
    in bowling alleys, video parlors, health clubs etc.
    
    SCD

    	Of simulators, there is a new Par-T-Golf in Manchester, NH. I had
    	never seen one before and upon checking it out I am excited to
    	play. Winters can be long in New Hampshire (or New England as the
    	case may be). Usually around January I begin thinking of spring 
    	thaw. So now I can fork over the $20-$25 price weekday/weekend 
    	rate. They have 5 booths, small putting range, big screen TV and
    	snack bar with beer. See you there.

>    	snack bar with beer.

	Where in Manchester is this place?

    Calling "Uncle" Jim.  If you saw the last few notes, you can shank em'
    all winter and not lose a ball.  Besides, your better half deserves a
    break during the winter.  
    
    SCD

    re: .6
    
    Take the granite st exit off 293. left at lights then first right 
    just before Henry's autobody.  it's about 1/4 mile down on your 
    left.  Just before "Ray the Mover" and where the "Millyard Rest"
    used to be.

    Mike Kilkelly
    
    If you give Par T Golf a call - 1-800-350-7277, they will send you info
    on the simulators.
    
    SCD

    SCD.....I don't mind losing a few golf balls since I usually steal them
    out of your bag while you are looking in the woods for your errant tee
    shots.  As far as Par-T-golf I plan on checking it out and see if I can
    tame some of those electronic layouts.  You are right, next time my
    better half wants to get rid of me I should go to par-t-golf, after all
    they have beer and maybe a budding LPGA player would want some private
    lessons.  By the way thanks for the hooters from Miami.
    
    ECA
    

    ECA
    
    Great to hear from you.  Figured the hooters would cheer you up. Can't
    wait for your next trip out here.  Got some new courses to try you on. 
    Hope the Sox can win after buying Viola, of course you have to depend
    on Jacky Clack (the sound his glove makes when deflecting a ball) to
    have another good year.  Of course my Angels will remain the apparition
    they are named after, guess I will have to become a BlueJay fan.
    
    Oops, got carried away on the wrong sport.  Sine my man Freddy won the
    Johnny Walker, the official end of the golf season, I was thinking
    ahead to spring...oh well, it's 70+ here today and I have tee time at
    11:30.  Have a good holiday everyone.  
    
    SCD

    steve,
    
      Any idea if Billy Max is giving lessons there,
    and if so how much?
    
    thanks
    tony
    
    

    Tony,
    
    Billy Max is giving lessons there by appointment only. You can
    call for details, but I think he charges $30 per hour. There is
    a package deal, where you get the sixth lesson free. (ie $150
    for six lessons. I hope this helps.
    
    Cheers
    
    Chuck O.

    Re: .13
    
    I was refering to Precision Golf in Chelmsford, not to be
    confused with the other place that was referenced.
    
    Chuck O.

    re:1
    
    thanka chuck o, $30 an hour seems pretty cheap. most
    places charge $25 a half hour that I have seen.
    
    Tony
    

    
    	Anyone played the simulators in Ashland off rte 126, I haven't 
    	been to a simulator and this one seemed closer to Shrewsbury 
    	than Chelmsford.
    
    
    							TC

	There is an indoor golf in Worcester on Grafton St. thats
closer than both.

			dan

    re: 16
    
    Todd,
    
     I play in Ashland all the time! They have 5 stations as
    well as courses to go with them. It's pretty good! Come
    and play some Wed. or Thurs. night with us!
    				
    					Tom

    
    	Sounds Good...
    	
    	I did go to Chelmsford, as I was in the neighborhood.
    		
    	I enjoyed the experience although I have to admit the graphic
    	representation on the screen was a little disappointing.  I
    	had imagined that the ball would act true to form in terms of 
    	terrain and obsticals.  The ball would for instance go through
    	the lips of traps, and trees...  So basically, we ended up playing
    	the machine and not paying any attention to the screen.  Distances	
    	were relatively easy to judge though, and given the distance from
    	the hole we managed to par several holes at Pebble Beach.
    
    	I think this a great idea and concept to practice through the winter
    	just getting out and clicking a few balls is great and I will go 
    	again.  However, at $25 p/p/hr was a might stiff for 18 holes.
    	I've heard that Ashland has lowered or re-structured their prices
    	to $20 p/hr for the machine, with up to 4 players ($5p/p/hr).
    
    	I did see on a cable station a segment dedicated to the new
    	upcoming fad of golf simulation, in it they showed a simulator
    	that projected a computer generated graphic display that seemed
    	much more realistic in terms of ball movement on screen.  The 
    	Chelmsford simulators are photo-generated dipictions of the course
    	your playing.  Which has its benefits, the 18th hole at Pebble
    	Beach is a majestic hole, a graphic wouldn't do it justice.
    
    							Todd		
    	
    	

What is the name of the golf simulator place in Ashland.  A Round of simulated 
golf sounds like a good idea for a valentine's present for my golfaholic 
husband.

    A couple of friends have been discussing opening one of these indoor
    simulators here in the midwest.  I guess the major question I'd like to
    put out there to you people that are trying these places out, is, will
    you still go to these simulators during the summer when you can play
    outside.  That's the major concern, will we go broke when the summer
    returns?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Tom
    

    Like anything else in business/real estate its location, location,
    location ! There was an indoor golf place south of Boston which did
    well in the winter but was nearly vacant in the summer. It was a nice
    set-up with 8 or 9 booths with the simulation, a large practice putting
    area, a sand trap and another place for lessons. 
    
    What they did was move into the downtown Boston area so now they
    attract a year round audience, lunch time business meetings ! etc..
    
    Best of luck - let us know how you make out.
    
    Tom

    What's wrong with associating with a driving range to use it for :
    
    a) a gimmick
    b) a teaching aid
    c) bad weather business
    
    Some are placed in bars, others in Hotels, others in shopping malls. 
    How about the golf course itself...let's settle the bet with a round on
    the simulator...
    
    SCD