Most Canadian golfers only get about seven months a year to practice the game they love, but it’s quickly becoming a year-round sport. Thanks to indoor golf simulators, players can hone their craft anytime, regardless of course conditions.
As local golf courses close for the season, many golfers are transitioning to playing indoors. One of the most popular simulators for serious golfers is The Golfer’s Academy in Burlington; a country club for indoor golf.
Jason Faubert is the owner and the head instructor, who brought the business to life back in 2008. As a former professional figure skater who went through a stringent training regime, his emphasis was to build the best training facility to help people improve their golf game.
“Coming from my background as a professional figure skater and a professional athlete, I always wanted the highest training first, and then the fun comes with it,” Faubert said.
While other indoor simulators focus more on the food and drink aspect of indoor golf, Faubert created the ideal environment for golf instruction and practice. Using the Trackman 4 launch monitor system, it provides the most accurate simulator numbers for those looking to dive deep into their game.
Their seven simulators are some of the roomiest in the industry, a full 600 square feet in every bay. Other simulators might only be 400 square feet, which can be a little claustrophobic for some golfers. In fact, Canadian long drive champions prefer to train at The Golfer’s Academy because of the ample space to swing freely.
“One of the problems I’ve always found with indoor golf is you change your swing — not because of technology per se — but because you’re swinging in an enclosed, confined place. Here, you don’t change your swing,” Faubert said.
The academy has five teaching professionals on staff, and they teach golfers of all levels, from age four and up. There’s also a club fitter on staff, and The Golfer’s Academy is a Callaway Performance Centre. From teaching to fitting to re-gripping, they do everything on site.
With courses and country clubs closed, the winter months are the perfect time to tweak swings and work on specific aspects of your golf game. Faubert suggests a combination of lessons and practice sessions so players reach their maximum potential for the next golf season.
Every golfer has a unique swing, which is why every lesson varies per player. The Golfer’s Academy features a full swing analysis, which is part interview and part lesson. Faubert and his team do a full questionnaire and swing review, then give players a recommendation for their game going forward.
“I always see too many cookie cutter golf swing professionals teaching the same thing that doesn’t work for most people,” Faubert said. “Our swing analysis is just as much a mental questionnaire, a physical questionnaire and a swing questionnaire custom to that individual.”
As much as golfers would love to wave a magic wand and fix their slice or eliminate three-putts, Faubert reiterates it takes hard work and patience for golfers to shave strokes off their game. With professional instruction, the proper practice regiment and an ideal practice facility like The Golfer’s Academy, a lower handicap is within your reach.
“It’s the most complicated sport in the world,” Faubert said. “This is a very hard sport to learn. You just have to understand golf takes time.”
Tired of struggling with your golf game? Find a true training centre that can work on all aspects of your golf game. Book your swing analysis with The Golfer’s Academy, book your own practice session, or create a lesson package with an instructor.
Visit The Golfer’s Academy at 2392 Industrial Street in Burlington, or book online at TheGolfersAcademy.ca.
