aboutGolf announced today its involvement with Adventure Golf Services’ launch of TheGolfCourt™, a revolutionary new golf product designed to bring golf learning, practice and play to more persons, at a lower cost.

View full image

aboutGolf will supply PGA TOUR Simulators and 3Trak launch monitors as options in the golf practice center designed to fit in a tennis court space and targeted at municipalities and organizations with unused or under-utilized tennis courts, buildings, or vacant space.

“Outfitting TheGolfCourt™ with aboutGolf technology will provide a level of learning and practice that cannot be accomplished any other way,” says Chuck Faust, President and COO of aboutGolf. “Whether used in combination with professional instruction or simple self-analysis and practice, PGA TOUR Simulators and 3Trak launch monitors provide actionable data that drives improvement.”

The Future of Driving Ranges
TheGolfCourt™ standard model includes five driving stations, six contoured chipping stations, six future sand bunker positions, a 1,300-square-foot contoured putting area, retractable safety net separators, an overhead ball containment net and installation. The PGA TOUR Simulator and 3Trak launch monitors are optional. Other options include putting turf upgrades, golf course surround graphics, bleachers, signs and a clubhouse.

“TheGolfCourt™ will help state, city and regional parks and recreation departments provide residents a new alternative to learn, practice and play golf – in a 2,700-square-foot area,” comments Scott Lundmark, Director of Sales for Adventure Golf Services, located in Traverse City , Michigan .

TheGolfCourt™ concept is being introduced today at the National Recreation Parks Association annual trade show.

“aboutGolf has always put a high priority on growing the game of golf,” says Bill Bales, Founder and CEO of aboutGolf. “Indoor golf has contributed to increasing accessibility to the game, breaking down barriers to entry. Given that history, TheGolfCourt™ seemed like a natural extension of that initiative.”

aboutGolf and Adventure Golf Services envision that TheGolfCourt™ will be used as an amenity or a profit center by hotels, resorts, parks, condo/timeshares, senior living facilities, school systems, the military, golf pros, golf courses and driving ranges. The compact size will be a benefit in countries or cities with space limitations and where real golf courses or training facilities are logistically difficult to access.

TheGolfCourt™ in my opinion has the potential to impact communities that don’t have golf practice facilities or the space for a typical driving range. I could also see organizations like The First Tee utilizing TheGolfCourt™ to help bring about urban renewal in underprivileged areas that don’t have easy access to a driving range, like on the West Side of the City of Chicago. I think TheGolfCourt™ could be the future of driving ranges in the inner city and making it more accessible. I look forward to learning more about TheGolfCourt™ and seeing one in person.

For more information visit http://www.aboutgolf.com

At the 2009 PGA Merchandise Show, I was able to demo the aboutGolf PGA Tour Simsurround Simulator and I was simply amazed by how realistic the simulator was. This experience made wonder what is the technology behind the new aboutGolf PGA Simsurround Simulator, what sets their simulators a part from others on the market, and where the technology is heading. Watch the video to listen to Pierre Bourque from aboutGolf answer my questions and more. 

http://www.aboutgolf.com 

At the 2009 PGA Merchandise Show aboutGolf and the PGA Tour debuted its Simsurround golf simulator. The Simsurround features three full-sized projection screen and 150 degree display that fully immerse you in the scene. Standing on the tee, the projected image fills up virtually all of your lateral peripheral vision. With an ever growing library of more than 50 courses, the PGA Tour Simulator will exclusively offer  TPC Sawgrass, site of the Players Championship.

Only the PGA Tour Simulator applies proprietary Immersive Play Technology. Immersive Play Technology is a suite of proprietary 3D graphics and physics algorithms designed to fully engage players in their rounds.

Key features of the PGA Tour Simulator include:

• Accurate ball flight which applies true ball trajectory in replicating each shot
• Ball speed, club head speed, launch angle, backspin, shot height and more
• Realistic reactions to the wind and objects
• Ambient movement with its 3D rendering graphics engine, provide accurate movement of the scenery including the trees, clouds, bushes, and grass

This was by far one of the most realistic golf simulators I ever used, and if I owned one of these I’d never sleep. It’s that fun to play. 

For more information visit aboutGolf.com

aboutGolf, PGA TOUR Announce Partnership to Produce PGA TOUR Simulators

MAUMEE, OHIO-aboutGolf, the world leader in indoor golf simulator technology, has partnered with the PGA TOUR to manufacture PGA TOUR Simulators. The result of an exclusive worldwide, six-year licensing partnership between the two entities, the PGA TOUR Simulator will debut at the 2009 PGA Merchandise Show, scheduled to be held January 29-31 in Orlando, Florida. 

In addition to the production of PGA TOUR Simulators, aboutGolf, through the agreement, is also granted exclusive rights to offer Tournament Players Club (TPC) courses on the PGA TOUR Simulator, including the TPC Sawgrass’ THE PLAYERS Stadium Course, site of the prestigious PLAYERS Championship. 

“Simulator owners will have access to previously unavailable courses; courses that provide a true PGA TOUR experience,” says Bill Bales, president of aboutGolf. “And indoor center owners will be able to promote their use of these exciting products to drive revenue in difficult economic times. The direct benefits to simulator owners can be significant.” 

As the developers of 3Trak, revolutionary, proprietary ball-tracking technology, aboutGolf displayed the history of innovation and commitment to performance the PGA TOUR was looking for. 

“We are very excited about forming this long-term licensing partnership agreement with aboutGolf,” says Tim Hawes, the PGA TOUR’s Senior Vice President, Retail Licensing. “We chose to partner with aboutGolf because it is the world’s most progressive, technologically innovative indoor golf simulator company. Bringing TPC courses to life on PGA TOUR Simulators is an exciting venture, and will give the PGA TOUR even more visibility to golfers everywhere.” 

aboutGolf, for its part, obviously is excited to have its industry-leading technology and products recognized by the PGA TOUR, one of golf’s most-respected names. aboutGolf and its direct customers will not be the only beneficiaries of this partnership, however. Indoor golf stands to gain credibility and momentum from the introduction of one of golf’s greatest names into the industry. 

“This partnership with the PGA TOUR has validated our long-stated belief that our simulators meet the highest quality and performance standards,” Bales says. “Selection by the PGA TOUR recognizes that truth and we are very proud, but this simulator partnership is only the beginning. We look forward to working with the PGA TOUR in many capacities for a long time to come.” 

I cannot wait to test the simulator out at the show in a couple of weeks and I’ll be posting plenty of pictures and video as well.