Get into the swing with virtual golf
Fan of the game applies to open new indoor centre to introduce more people to the sport
KEEN golfers looking to get into the swing of the sport will soon be able to do so thanks to a new indoor virtual golf centre coming to Stoke-on-trent.
GO Golf is the brainchild of Mans Mohammed, from Hanley, who only picked up a set of clubs three years ago but has caught the golfing bug.
After finding getting into the sport a daunting prospect, the 37-year-old wanted to create something which would make golf more accessible.
And now, after finding a suitable location in King Street, Fenton – next to Fast Lane Karting – Mans will be opening a virtual golf centre allowing people to play all year round.
He said: “It’s daunting for a new person getting into golf as there can be a lot of prejudice.
“People aren’t sure where to get started and it can be intimidating when you turn up to a course and are keeping people waiting behind you.
“I’m not great at golf, and when you start you’re hitting the ball into bushes all the time. But I’ve got the bug for it now.
“There must be others like me that want to get into the sport but don’t know how, which was part of the inspiration for the business.”
Mans is aiming for a mid-september opening, and has applied to Stoke-ontrent City Council to change the use of the building which would house GO Golf.
The centre will feature seven bays – including two for VIPS – where players will hit a golf ball into a screen which will then project the ball flight onto a virtual course where it would land.
Social distancing measures will also be put in place to ensure the safety of guests and staff.
There will also be a large indoor putting area for players wishing to practice their short game.
Mans added: “It rains for about 180 to 200 days of the year, and you can’t play golf when the weather is bad.
“There’s also the fact that memberships and golf clubs are expensive, especially for someone just getting into the sport.
“The virtual golf games will take less time, and people can bring their own clubs if they want to. We just want to make it as inclusive as possible.”
GO Golf will be free for children under seven, to encourage more youngsters to get involved. There will also be ladies- only events.
He added: “It’d be great to get more children into golf by inviting schools in for free sessions to play on the golf simulators.
“I’m so excited. It’ll be one of the biggest golf centres in the UK, but Covid-19 has delayed us slightly. We are aiming to open in September.”
Golfers are thrilled about GO Golf coming to the city.
Curtis Fox, aged 24, from Newcastle, said: “It’s a fantastic idea for learning, especially if you haven’t got the room or weather on your side.
“They are accurate and let you see a result instantly, rather than hitting into a golf net, and a pro telling you where the golf swing was incorrect.
“The European Tour did an invitational on the Trackman virtual ball tracer, which was fun to watch on Instagram while lockdown has been set in.”
Jacob Ferchal, aged 24, from Northwood, added: “I sometimes go to the driving range when the weather is nice, but you can’t really play golf in the winter.
“I got my clubs at a car boot sale, but never properly got into the sport. It’s not something I ever thought I’d be interested in until I started going with my friends.
“This will hopefully be a really accessible and inexpensive way to start learning the sport properly.”
For more information on GO Golf, and to register for an introductory offer, visit the website or email hello@gogolfindoors.co.uk.