If you have spent a winter hitting into a screen, you may have noticed something odd in the spring: the swing that looked great indoors does not always work on the grass. Golfers call it sim swing. At Southborough Golf Center you hit real golf balls over a real range, and you can do it warm, in a heated driving range bay, all winter long.
What is sim swing?
When there is a net a few feet in front of you, you stop watching the ball fly. Your eyes go to the number on the screen, and you start adjusting your swing to change that number instead of the shot you wanted. Do that for a few months and the habits can follow you outdoors.
- You stop reading start line, curve and height, because the ball is gone in a fraction of a second.
- You swing to fix the number, not to hit a target.
- You lose the feel for how a shot should look when it is struck well.
Why real ball flight matters
Golf is played outside, and the ball flight is the feedback. When you hit over a range you see the ball start, curve and land. You learn what a draw looks like, how high your 7-iron really flies, and what a thin shot does in the wind. That picture is what helps you make a better decision on the course, and it is the part a screen cannot give you.
The best of both: real shots plus Trackman numbers
You do not have to give up the data. The range screens in our bays show your distance and ball flight numbers on every shot, so you get the numbers and the real ball flight together. Read more about Trackman at our range. Use the numbers to confirm what you saw, instead of letting them replace it.
And you are warm
Every one of our 23 covered bays has an infrared heater with a low and a high setting. Infrared heat is not blown away by wind. Low takes the chill off a 50° evening, and high keeps you warm on a 10° night.
5 ways to avoid sim swing this winter
- Pick a target out on the range before every shot, not a number on the screen.
- Watch the ball land before you look at the data.
- Call your shot (draw, fade or straight) and see if the ball flight agrees.
- Use one swing thought per bucket. Winter is the best time to work on one change.
- Ignore the numbers on every third ball and just hit the shot you want.
Hours, prices and what to bring
We are open every day. Winter hours start November 1: 9am to 8pm daily. Buckets start at $13, and every bay is the same price. There is no extra charge for the heat. Loaner clubs are available, and each bay fits two to three people, so bring a friend. Want some friendly competition? Our Winter Trackman League starts December 15, you can play any day that suits you, and there is a cash prize pool.
Frequently asked questions
What is sim swing?
It is the habit of adjusting your swing to change the numbers on a screen instead of the shot you wanted, which can happen when you practice into a net all winter.
Can I still see my numbers at an outdoor range?
Yes. The range screens in our bays show your distance and ball flight numbers on every shot, while the ball flies over the real range.
Is it warm enough to practice in winter?
Every covered bay has an infrared heater with a low and a high setting, so you stay comfortable from a 50° evening to a 10° night.
Where is the nearest heated driving range to Southborough, MA?
Southborough Golf Center is at 22 Turnpike Road in Southborough, open every day all winter.
Ready to keep your swing honest this winter? Stop by 22 Turnpike Road in Southborough, or see the heated bays first.
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