New golf simulator to open in Northampton THIS WEEKEND as owner hopes it will be ‘roaring success’

Peter Johnston and Paul Dyer, who are business partners and both live in Northampton, will open a brand new golf simulator in Kings Heath Industrial Estate over the weekend (Saturday June 13 and Sunday June 14).

The keen golfers were looking for a new business venture and after observing the driving ranges in Northampton, which they say are regularly very busy, they decided it would be a good idea to open an alternative that also offers an indoor option.

Since announcing that a golf simulator will be opening, the team says they have had a lot of positive feedback.

Peter, who is involved in the junior set up at Northampton Golf Club, said: “We’ve had excitement from areas I was not expecting.

“I was expecting golfers and new golfers and I knew some senior players who struggle to get out for a whole round would be interested.

“We’ve also had dads saying they want to bring their sons to learn golf in a private environment you don’t get in golf ranges.

“We’ve had people asking if it is wheelchair accessible - which it is as we’re on the ground floor and the doors are wide enough. Wheelchair golf is something I hadn’t considered.”

Peter says the unit is “spotless” and “exactly what we were looking for”. The business owner also says the area sounded like a good place to be, as other leisure facilities including a padel centre and a gym have recently opened nearby.

Part of the work on the building made sure there is plenty of space in each of the simulator bays to allow for a full swing, which is important for the golfing duo.

“Some of the golf simulators we've been to felt a bit compact and you bash your clubs. So we decided to make our bays as big as possible,” Peter added.

To start with, the venue will have two simulator bays, which will be three metres tall, six metres deep and 3.5 metres wide, but Peter says they hope to add an additional bay in time.

Golfers will also be able to play golf courses from around the world, as Peter says they “haven’t skimped on the simulator technology”.

He said: “It’s all quite real and it feels really good fun.

“The social element of it and the fun element of it is what we want to concentrate on.

“I’m really excited, I think it’s going to be a roaring success.”

Visitors will be expected to bring their own clubs and make sure their shoes are clean. However, Peter did say if they attract a lot of new golfers, they could buy some clubs for customers to use.

“We will respond to what people want and need,” Peter added.

As part of the opening weekend, the owners are offering visitors a free 30-minute slot between 8am and 6pm on Saturday or Sunday. Food and drink will also be on offer. Visit the Lovag website to book a slot.