$1.5m indoor golf centre tees off

BALLARAT’S newest sporting venue will open in Invermay Park on Monday.

The $1.5 million indoor golf centre X-Golf, developed by Victorian brothers Scott and Ben Ferrier, is at 810 Norman Street, between Oz Tenpin and the Midlands Golf Club.

It will be X-Golf’s 32nd venue and covers 630 square metres, with six high-tech simulators using infrared cameras and high-impact sensors to create a realistic golfing experience.

In addition, it will feature X-Golf’s first-ever PuttView simulator, ideal for those wanting to work on their short game, plus darts lanes, a full bar and kitchen, access to PGA professionals for coaching, and also Australia’s biggest virtual golf competition, X-League.

There are five other X-Golf venues in Victoria – including one in Geelong – and more in Queensland, WA, NSW, Tasmania, South Australia and New Zealand.

Renowned for his achievements as a decathlete, 50-year-old Scott – a two-time Olympian – said the Ballarat venue had been a long time coming and that he and Ben, 48, were inspired by a lifelong love of sport instilled by their father.

“Dad’s nearly 80 and still hits a long ball,” he said.

“He’s rapt about the venue and is happy to see us working together, especially within a sport that he became hooked on himself in his 40s.”

Ben said he and Scott developed a deep passion for golf from watching their father play when they were children.

But he said traditional golf was difficult to fit into everyday life.

“Any golfer will tell you it’s a time-consuming sport and players often have other priorities which keep them away from spending hours on the course,” Ben said.

“That was a big attraction for us. X-Golf removes the constraints of time, it allows you to play regardless of the weather, and it’s a great option for everyone – from beginners to scratch golfers.”

X-Golf simulators offer access to 50 of the world’s most famous courses including St Andrews, Pebble Beach and Augusta, with detailed realism.

Players can enjoy in-depth data analytics, custom-built 3D graphics, and a patented automatic ball retrieval and tee-up system.

“We’re really looking forward to offering something new within Ballarat’s thriving golf community,” Ben said.

X-Golf will employ 10 local people. Sessions can be booked at xgolf.com.au/locations/ballarat-vic .