New VR biz ready to tee off

ORANGE — Three friends who wanted to golf yearround, but couldn’t because of New England weather and other obstacles, are hoping to make a hole in one with their business: Golf Lounge 18.

Opening Saturday in the Christmas Tree Shops and That! Plaza, 200 Indian River Road, Golf Lounge 18 is a virtual reality golf facility for beginning and advanced players offering some 50 courses, including some of the most favored in the world and a few fictional courses.

“The social element is a big piece of it,” said Ajit Padda, one of the business’ owners, who was in the lastminute crunch this week putting finishing touches on the 5,500squarefoot space. He said when one goes to the golf course there are four people together for four hours, but at Sports Lounge 18, there can be 30 together playing.

The courses, measurements and other aspects of playing a course are so accurate using TrackMan technology that it’s great for improving the game, Padda said, noting he’s improved his handicap by three since last year when the trio opened their first Golf Lounge 18 in Fairfield.

“We’ve had similar feedback (from customers). Everyone has improved their game in some shape or form,” he said.

Another of the owners, Ajay

Gautam, said they chose Orange as a second location because golf is popular in the area and there is a need for an indoor venue.

The stylishly designed space, with lots of oak and other woods — features six bays that measure 16 feet across, AstroTurf and individual seating at bars facing the screen, where friends, family and fellow golfers can watch each other or another golf. The projected course is about 14 feet.

On the other side of the room is a