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Published on 3/31/08
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Drive 495
The best place for golf training short of actually being on the course, this 15,000-square-foot private facility houses a gym, five simulators (loaded with around 40 different courses) and an upstairs lounge. Owner Don Saladino asserts that Drive 495 is the only place in the city for a full 2-D and 3-D golf assessment—which comes with the $5,000 yearly membership fee. We’re inclined to believe him; trainers at Drive 495 will break down your game to the point of not only recommending swing tips, but also suggesting appropriate nutrition and non-golf-related exercises. There aren’t too many options besides this one for hitting golf balls and enjoying a cocktail under the same roof. 495 Broadway between Broome and Spring Sts (212-334-9537, drive495.com)
Manhattan Athletic Club
You can play 18 holes on any of 20 different virtual courses via the simulator at the MAC. As a member ($165 per month), unlimited access costs $35 a month; otherwise it’s $10 for every 15 minutes. Guests pay $35 a day plus $1 per minute. As with most quality simulators, electronic monitoring of club speed and head direction make for a surprisingly accurate translation of your real-life slice. 277 Park Ave, entrance on 48th St between Lexington and Park Aves (212-486-3477, macgym.com)
Chelsea Piers
This fitness behemoth proves, once again, that high-end training facilities abound if you’re willing to foot the bill. A flat $45 rate nets indoor hackers one hour on either one of the two sims, which feature 52 championship-level courses—including Pebble Beach, the old course at St. Andrews and Pinehurst No. 8. If you’re still troubled by that near-impossible final hole at Oakmont, though, an hour with a Chelsea Piers teaching professional is available for $130–$160. Pier 59, 18th St at the West Side Highway (212-336-6400, chelseapiers.com)
Home version
There are plenty of home simulators out there, but only one is recognized as the Official Technology Partner of the PGA Learning Center. Those lucky to have enough in-home space to swing a Callaway three-iron will probably have enough extra cash to install a Pro Swing Claret simulator (p3proswing.com, $999). The software in the basic package provides swing analysis based on your play at the digital Highland National Course; the Ace package (which requires a 12' x 18' x 10' space) runs $9,999. Just be careful not to shank one into the TV. A slightly less expensive option is the Dancin’ Dogg (dancindogg.com, $400), which is cool because it incorporates the wildly popular EA Sports Tiger Woods video game into its interface.
Short game
Any golfer worth his checkered knickers will tell you that putting is just as important as hitting the ball long off the tee. Mini golf helped the heavy-handed Happy Gilmore learn to putt, and it can also help you become a regular Hale Irwin. With the closure of Coney Island’s Batting Range & Go-Kart City, the Golf Center at Randalls Island (212-427-5689, $4–$6) is home to the only decent local mini-golf tracks. Its two 18-hole courses offer varying degrees of difficulty, with plenty of undulations and obstacles with which golfers can hone their short game. Options for at-home practice include the Laser Putting Trainer LPT (nsi-optosmart.com, $40), which attaches to most putters and helps golfers learn to line up longer shots through the miracle of lasers.
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