Noah’s Ark Golf Centre’s new state-of-the-art TrackMan Range was unveiled earlier this month.
And the early consensus is that going to hit some balls has never been so good.
The upgraded Western Edge facility has embraced technology to offer entertainment by the bucket load.
TrackMan Range is described as a “flexible golf-ball tracking solution with tour-proven technology and the industry’s best virtual golf, practice, and entertainment software.”
Twenty-seven inch monitors have been installed into every bay at the Perth venue, allowing golfers to track how far they hit each club, as well as obtain data including ball speed and launch angle.
Players can tackle a virtual round of golf from the bay at some of the world’s most renowned courses.
The Old Course at St Andrews, understandably, has been proving popular.
Friends can be challenged to a nearest the pin or long drive competition, or a game of capture the flag is available.
Niall McGill, owner of Noah’s Ark Golf Centre, has been receiving glowing feedback from customers.
“I have been looking at doing this for about two and a half years now,” Niall explained to the PA earlier this week.
“Due to the level of investment in this, I’ve really done my homework.
“We feel over the last two years - with the pandemic - golf has gone through a boost in participation.
“It now feels like the right time to do this.
“In the first nine days or so, it has been absolutely fantastic. People had a rough idea of how it worked but I think they are taken aback by how much is on offer.”
Niall was keen to stress that the new set-up caters for all level of golfer - whether complete beginner on the hunt for fun and games or serious low-handicapper keen to drop their score.
He said: “Technology helps bring new people into the game and it is also fantastic for the existing golfers.
“There is an app you can download so that, when you log into the screen, all of your practice data feeds in.
“This is a great way to make your practice more effective, rather than standing whacking balls onto a field.
“We have lots of target games and you can play simulator golf on some of the world’s top courses.
“What has been great is seeing groups of two or three people coming in and challenging each other on the games.
“We have a real mix for serious golfers and also those just looking for a bit of entertainment.”
Hard-working Niall, who has helped transform the fortunes of the North Inch Golf Course in recent years, is never content with sitting still. Providing a unique offering for the city was high on his wish-list.
“We have had a number of meetings with TrackMan online so they can tell us further plans for the future,” he said.
“We like to try and keep ahead of the game. It effectively transforms our business from a standard golf driving range to a golf entertainment venue.
“One of the most consistent comments I’ve had back is that this is something that is really good for Perth. This is a facility that caters for everybody.”
