The 19th Hole offers much more than just virtual indoor golf

Burlington’s newest hang out spot has something for those who prefer a slower pace, those who crave going as fast as they can, and everyone in between.

The 19th Hole opened last month with indoor virtual golf simulators, full motion racing simulators, pool tables, and a full kitchen and bar.

“My brother and I had been going to indoor golf places all the time for the last few years, but we found a lot of them wanted you to hit the balls and head out,” co-owner Scott Adams said. “There was no reason to hang out after, even if you go with friends. We figured we’d make it a one stop place to come in and golf, shoot some pool, and have some food.”

Adams’ personal favourite menu item is the chicken tikka pizza, but added the two handed burger is among the best sellers. The golf simulators are running Trackman software, which has more than 300 courses built in for customers to choose from, with more being added each month.

Golfers can choose between playing a standard round of virtual golf, or pick a number of mini games that are more beginner focused such as Bullseye or Closest to the Pin. Experience golfers can swing by with their kids and make sure everyone has a good time on the simulator.

“On Friday and Saturday nights we’ll get a good mix of people who golf, and come in with friends who maybe don’t golf as much, but come to hang out with food and drinks, or to watch the game,” Adams said.

On the other side of the building is a collection of Formula 1 simulators, a few of which feature full motion rigs – meaning if you hit a curb in the simulator you’re going to feel it in your seat. Both Scott and his brother and co-owner Jordan are big Formula 1 fans, and figured adding the driving simulators would be a good way to take the seasonality out of the indoor golf business. “Once it hits summer, golfers are outside because they want to be on the course,” Adams said. “We get that, we’re golfers too, but we wanted to get people coming in here for something other than golf.”

The Adams brothers got into golf through COVID, after previously playing just a few times per year. Scott would go three to five times per week, and his passion just grew. Using their backgrounds in advertising, technology, and project management, they were able to build a business based on their passions.

They even built all the simulators – golf and racing – themselves, by hand. “It really was a passion project, and we tried to get as much of it done ourselves as possible,” Adams said. The two owners are planning on setting up leagues for racers and golfers. Rates for the golf simulator start at $39.55 per hour, while the racing simulators start at $50.85 per hour.