Wait, there's a Topgolf in New Smyrna Beach? Pretty much ... but it's cheaper!
A prototypical, mid-summer afternoon rain shower interrupted Chris Wrobel’s tutorial on the intricacies of the driving range at the Preserve at Turnbull Bay.
But such things won’t interrupt golfers there. Not anymore.
“Unless the rain is coming in sideways,” Wrobel grinned.
And a new shelter encompassing 15 individual bays and some strategically placed fans are just the tip of the iceberg.
With the help of Toptracer, Wrobel, the course’s general manager, has helped turn the range into the most technologically advanced in all of Volusia and Flagler Counties.
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Each bay is fitted with monitors and comes equipped with enough practice options and games to keep the most avid golfer toiling away for hours without ever reaching the first tee box.
Want to dial in a yardage with a specific club? Use the practice option, lock in on one of the range's several colored stakes, and fire away. The monitor will measure ball speed, spin, carry, launch angle and total distance among other things.
Too hot on the course? Play a round of virtual golf on a world-famous course, say St. Andrews or Pebble Beach, among several others while under an awning.
Think Topgolf, only all the bays are on one floor and the beer is a little more reasonably priced.
Of course, those aren't the only differences despite the fact Topgolf utilizes Toptracer technology and is very much a part of an initiative, headed by parent company Callaway, to bring more and more such setups to driving ranges around the country.
Topgolf also utilizes golf balls with microchips in them while Toptracer ranges, such as the newly installed one at Turnbull bay, do not, giving serious golfers more realistic feel when it comes to ball striking.
It's as simple as downloading the free Toptracer Range app, which unlocks a world of possibilities at Turnbull bay.
So far, Wrobel said the investment, which ran the course around $125,000, is paying off.
“We started this a year and a half ago, (Toptracer has) a mobile version and you can download the app and use your phone as a monitor,” Wrobel explained. “It doesn’t have the games that the monitor does, but we started that last year. It worked pretty well for us so we decided to go full-on, put the shade structure up, bring in the monitors and so far, it’s been well worth it.”
The facility, which opened in early February, has already attracted more golfers and some new regulars and the hope is that it’s just the start of an overhaul. Currently, beer is sold by the can but plans for a full kitchen could soon be in the works as well. Wrobel also said food trucks may be brought in on certain days.
The course is still recovering from an April fire that destroyed its clubhouse with plans to rebuild soon already in the works.
What are the hours of operation for the driving range at the Preserve at Turnbull Bay?
The range at Turnbull Bay is open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. That will continue into the winter as lights have been added to account for darkness.
How much does the driving range cost at the Preserve at Turnbull Bay?
Instead of renting out bays by the hour, golfers will pay to use the facility by the basket. A small bucket will run $5, a medium is $10, a large is $15 and a jumbo basket, holding 100 golf balls, is $20.
Punch cards are also available with 15 buckets of balls going for $225. Party packages are also available for groups with six players or more at a cost of $25 per player for two hours.
Are there any specials for the driving range at the Preserve at Turnbull Bay?
Turnbull Bay is offering daily specials on its range.
Monday is 25% off a bucket for all golfers over 60 years of age after noon. Tuesday and Thursday are "Buckets and Brews" days, with golfers getting 40% off of a bucket with the purchase of a six-pack of beer or 10% off a bucket with the purchase of one drink.
On Wednesday, ladies receive 20% off any bucket after noon while Friday is Date Night, with a bucket marked half off with the purchase of a large or jumbo basket. On Saturday, for Family Day, kids 12 and under receive a free medium bucket with the purchase of a large or jumbo basket and on Sunday, buckets are half off with the purchase of $25 of merchandise from the course store.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: New Smyrna Beach driving range offers Toptracer tech, Topgolf feel
