8 Golf Courses You Can Virtually Play in Calgary

Riverside Golf Centre has a simulator that will (sort of) get you on the greens of Pebble Beach and St. Andrews.

We are just a few days into spring and you may feel the need to scratch that golfing itch, but with Calgary’s weather being what it is, the outdoors isn’t always so obliging.

Luckily, the Riverside Golf Centre offers a complete golf simulation package, combining Par T Golf, the About Golf Machine and E6 Golf software to bring you as close to driving, chipping and putting some of the world’s most famous greens as you can get without buying a plane ticket or going outside.

The simulators are also a chance to see just how rusty you are. They give you ball flight and swing analysis. Rates range from $32 to $40 per hour.

There are more than 100 courses to choose from including some that are complete fantasy and others that are famous. Here are just eight courses you can pretend to play:

Pebble Beach

Land and sea meet here to form one of America’s most famous courses, offering a chance to tee-up next to a crashing pacific surf . Known to be Jack Nicklaus’ favourite course, playing holes seven through 10 will show you why.

Cypress Point

Dubbed the Sistine Chapel of Golf, this Alister MacKenzie designed terrain features jutting coastlines and sand dunes. Holes 16 and 17 are a challenge for even the most experienced golfer.

Augusta National

Home of the annual Masters tournament, getting through the 11th, 12th and 13th holes, nicknamed Amen Corner, will put you on par with greats like Byron Nelson and Sam Snead.

Pinehurst No.2

This beautiful North Carolina course, known for wide fairways, expanses of short grass and undulating greens, was called “the fairest test of championship golf I have ever designed” by designer Donald Ross.

St. Andrews

One of the oldest courses in the world, it has large double greens and infamous hazards, including stone walls and the Road Hole Bunker, add historic depth to your game.

Riviera

A Redan hole, the notorious bunker in the middle of the par 3 sixth hole and an 18th hole that ends at the base of an amphitheatre mean you’ll get your money’s worth driving here.

Royal Troon

Hole 11 is a signature feature at Royal Troon, rated the most difficult hole of the 1997 Open Championship, and the 8th hole, known as the Postage Stamp due to its size, will really test your tee-off precision.

Royal Lytham & St. Annes

This traditional course has the only par 3 starting hole in the Open Championship circuit and, with 206 bunkers spread throughout the course, its long yards will be the only respite when playing through.

To try your hand at virtual golf, visit The Riverside Golf Centre, 110 Point McKay Crescent N.W., 403-287-4653, golfsimulatorscalgary.com