Tee It Up Virtual Golf offers residents a unique golf experience and an inexpensive get away from the winter blahs.
Play a round at Pebble Beach, Torrey Pines, Augusta or St. Andrews without leaving the comforts of Greater Trail.
Owner David Driutti opened the virtual golf space at 1402 Bay Ave. in Trail in August and is excited about its potential.
“It is a lot of fun, and super accurate,” said Driutti. “Technology now a days is amazing, the high speed cameras, the infrared … so I just thought let’s go for it.”
Tee It Up Virtual Golf space holds two life-size screens in separate bays where golfers can play virtually almost any course in the world. In addition, it analyses your swing and offers many more technical variables most golfers don’t even think about.
“A lot of people would come down before actual golf tournaments and they would sit there on the driving range because it gives you so much data,” said Driutti. “It gives you clubhead speed, ball speed, spin, clubhead angle, and Smash factor, which is a huge thing for golfers.
“It also groups your balls to where you’re hitting. So golfers will go through all their irons and mark all their data down so they know exactly how far you hit each club.”
Tee It Up also has its very own instructor in golf pro Denny McArthur from Castlegar. Patrons can book lessons either one-on-one or bring a friend or two and split the costs.
“He is awesome,” said Driutti. “He does groups or singles, it doesn’t matter. He is great and he’s been around the area teaching golf lessons for about 45 years.”
The virtual technology has a variety of options that go way beyond golf. Patrons can throw an office party or a birthday party for the kids and play a variety of different games including zombie dodge ball, disc golf, mini-golf, hockey, soccer, Wild West Shooting, a variety of virtual board and video games, and more.
Tee It Up Virtual Golf also has a liquor licence, and is happy to offer adult refreshments to customers, and order-in menus from nearby downtown restaurants.
The costs are reasonable at $40 per hour per bay, with up to four golfers per booth. Driutti says one golfer can play 18-holes in an hour, so for four golfers, plan for four hours, similar to a real game.
Tee It Up also offers 50 per cent off for kids parties with the rental of both bays.
While business has been relatively good and growing, he does anticipate challenges in the summer, when courses are open. But just like a regular golf course, Tee It Up will book tee times online or over the phone.
“So come in the middle of the summer when it’s 35C degrees out, it’s air conditioned,” added Driutti. “Even in the evenings, it’s a great place to hang out.”
Bring your clubs and shoes and/or kids and have a fun afternoon or evening out at Tee It Up Virtual Golf.
Hours are from Wednesday to Sunday from noon until 10 p.m. To book a tee time go online to teeitupvirtualgolf.com or call 250-368-1022. Also visit Tee It Up on their facebook page.