Golf Cafe Bar Leeds

Skysports.com checked out a new indoor golf facility in Leeds that lets you play whatever the weather.

It's probably been a similar story for golfers all around the country, New Year and a host of resolutions to get out and play more golf. One problem, the weather. With Britain now only just emerging from the arctic blast that left us all remembering that fun in the snow has a shelf life of about two days, opportunities to play golf have been all but non-existent. With the vast majority of courses forced to close their doors, the chance to get out and strike a ball in anger has proved rather hard to come by. But one golfing establishment in Leeds has remained unaffected by the cold snap, in fact they were only too happy to see the heavy snow fall. Opened in May last year, the Golf Cafe Bar Leeds (www.golfcafebars.co.uk) is the ideal retreat for the weather-frustrated golfer, offering state of the art simulators which allow you to play come rain or shine, or snow outside. Situated just a few minutes walk from Leeds' city-centre train station, the venue has almost tardis-like qualities, offering no hint of its roomy 3500sq ft lay-out on approach. The brainchild of managing director Wayne Parkinson, the two-level building not only comprises three PGA Tour-endorsed simulators (a fourth is in the pipeline), but also a spacious bar area with big screen for live sports, an outdoor seating terrace overlooking the River Aire, a private lounge area and also a corporate meeting room. As those facilities would indicate, the bar is not only targeting the golf aficionado. Work groups, birthday parties, stag parties and even the intrigued passer-by all make it through the door with increasing regularity. But while it caters for all, it provides the keen golfer with a time and cash-friendly alternative to 18 holes out in the elements. The simulators, costing £40,000 apiece, feature over 36 real-life courses - including Pebble Beach, Bay Hill and even St Andrews - which have been mapped out to the inch and use cutting edge camera technology to ensure over 90% accuracy on ball trajectory, carry, speed, spin and countless other facts. Easy to use and understand, after a short demonstration you and your playing partners (ideally a four-ball but up to eight and beyond should you so desire) can be underway and crushing a driver off the first tee in a matter of minutes. While the idea of getting your weekly golf fix on a simulator is an undeniably modern concept, the quality and realism of the product should ensure it appeals to newcomers and traditionalists alike. On our visit, the group of four old boys who had hired out one of the simulators certainly did not quite fall into our preconceived idea of a target market, but their decision to repeatedly extend their stay spoke volumes of their experience. With an hour-long session costing from £20 and the their doors open seven days a week and until 11 at night most days there really is now a way for the golfers of Leeds to avoid those winter blues. Indeed, as the cafe advertises its facilities: "Golf Unlimited - Play real golf anytime." Player 1 - Dave Tindall I've only played on a simulator once before but like the concept especially as I feel the cold like a man in his 90s. The problem I had with that one was the putting. In nearly three hours there I didn't hole a single putt so when I drained a 10 footer on just my second go with the flatstick here I was immediately impressed. I was a little put off to begin with by my own shadow appearing on the screen when putting but then discovered this can actually be a help not a hindrance. How? Well, due to the green appearing with Tiger Woods-style gridlines I was able to move my shadow to make sure my head and eyes were directly over the ball. The technology really goes deep and I even got to see a lifesize image of my swing on screen (not pretty but very informative!). And I really like the idea of the 'boost' facility which when pressed means you can add an extra 50%, 100% etc to your shots. It's tempting for everyone but really comes into its own when playing with hackers or kids who don't hit it too far. More serious golfers may not be too happy with the clubs provided (the metal shafts are designed to cope with muscle-bound labourers connecting with the ground rather than the ball). However, there's an easy and often-used solution if you want to use your visit for serious practice rather than a social knockabout... bring your own! Player 2 - Mark Kendall Having never previously played on a simulator I was open-minded if somewhat unsure of exactly what to expect of the experience. The first thing to say is that the simulators are very user-friendly and easy to understand which means, for the more serious golfer, you can quickly get down to the business of striking balls. As with any new experience, I initially found the concept of thrashing the ball into a screen six feet in front of me rather alien and, probably subconsciously, did not quite commit to my swing with predictably average results. But the accuracy of the readings provided by the simulator - expect the ball to end ten yards ahead of you if you do produce an ugly toe-ender out of the rough - quickly put the mind at rest, leaving you to refocus on the basics of actually swinging the club correctly. With graphics sharp and convincing, the game can quickly become addictive... although a word of warning about the greens which are like ice-rinks (it is an American simulator after all). Yet the game facet of these simulators is just one aspect and, while it has settings designed to aid golfers of any level to have a bash-around, it also has the kind of cutting edge video technology and stats on offer to make it arguably a more sensible option for lower-handicappers than a visit to the driving range. But if that is the purpose of your visit, it's probably best to avoid the direct-line each booth has to the bar. Click here to visit a photo gallery of the Golf Cafe Bar Leeds.