TRACKMAN’S A BIG HIT IN ST ASAPH

A ST ASAPH-based golf course and driving range has marked its 35th year anniversary by installing Trackman technology in each of its 21 bays.

The radar-based ball tracking system was put in just before Christmas at North Wales Golf Course and Driving Range and owner, Steve Mueller, is absolutely thrilled with the decision.

“My grandmother, Lilly Gresley Jones, opened what was the first driving range in the area here in 1988. We have always tried to move with the times, but it was a really big decision to install Trackman,” explained Steve, who first became interested in the idea in 2016.

“I was on holiday in Las Vegas and visited a golf facility there.They had just put a chip in the balls that allowed you to track the flight. I was really impressed and everybody there seemed to ab-

BY PAUL CHAPPLE

solutely love it too, so I suppose the seed was planted then.

“There are a few different systems out in the market, but I did some extensive research online and by visiting a few ranges and opted to go with Trackman.

“I was really impressed with the Trackman story.The founder was a golfer who was a radar technician for the Danish military,” explained Steve.

Each bay includes a screen that allows each user to either play golf courses, games or simply enjoy some range practice, whilst tracking each shot.

Steve added: “We have been so much busier now that word is spreading that we have Trackman here.

“People are coming from right across North Wales.

“What is particularly noticeable is the wider spread of the age demographic that are coming here now.There are certainly a lot more children and families, which is great. There are also more serious golfers coming now too.

“People that didn’t use to like practising now come and have all these different options. When we first installed the screens, most players were using the range practice mode, but the playing of the virtual golf courses is starting to take off now, whilst the kids love the games.”

North Wales Golf Course and Driving Range now has Trackman.

As well as installing Trackman, the range has also had a full refurbishment. The range area has been astro-turfed and new bay dividers added. There are even outdoor heaters for the bays.

“The feedback has been fantastic and all positive,” said Steve. “We haven’t had a single negative comment. What has been really satisfying is seeing people that were initially against using the technology to seeing them using it all the time, and really enjoying it.

“It costs just £9.50 to get 100 balls, which we believe is great value.”

Steve’s not resting on his laurels though. “There are some really exciting plans for further improvements,”he said. “But we have to keep it under wraps for now.”

There has been one negative as a result of having Trackman installed. “We are too busy to have any time to use it ourselves,” said Steve. Visit www.northwalesgolf.co.uk or @northwalesgolf on instagram for more information.

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