New golf simulator facility to open in Maidenhead town centre

A new golf simulator facility is set to officially open its doors at the Watermark development in Maidenhead town centre tomorrow (Friday).

The Golf Performance Studio (GPS) at Trinity Place (next to A Hoppy Place) has been co-founded by Rob Watts, lead men’s coach for England Golf and Advanced Fellow of the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA), and Aston Goulding, a PGA professional and lead performance coach.

In 2010, Rob founded the Rob Watts Performance Academy based at Castle Royle Golf & Country Club in Knowl Hill, where Aston is also the lead PGA golf professional.

The new venture has been in the pipeline for more than a year and is in response to the growth of indoor golf.

“I guess this side of the pandemic, indoor golf has really grown,” said Aston.

“Lots of people are getting simulators at their houses.

“I think the way that the world is going, people don’t necessarily always have five or six hours to play a full round of golf.”

He added: “The weather’s very variable for most of the year as well.

“So, you’re outside in the elements if you’re playing golf this time of year, whereas indoors, you’ve got warmth and its dry.”

As a golf professional who coaches full time, Aston said it is ‘nice to have an indoor option’ during the winter months.

He added that Maidenhead was chosen as the location for the new facility, because the team wanted to offer the simulator service to existing clients, as well as new members.

The new facility will operate predominantly under a membership model, with those joining receiving six hours of time per month.

Non-members can also use the facility and book on the day.

The facility features six bays with Trackman launch monitors and a putting green.

Visitors can enjoy practice sessions, rounds and coaching sessions with the team.

Aston said it was ‘very exciting’ to see the facility come to fruition.

“It’s taken a year to get it set up, so it’s exciting to see it come together,” he added.

“I just hope that it’s going to be a nice place for families to come.

“There’s going to be loads of opportunity for juniors, so hopefully new people [will] take up the game, and it can grow participation in golf.

“It can be a place where teenagers can come and practise their golf as well.

“It’s a nice thing for parents to do with their children because there’s lots of games that you can play as well.”

Aston said growing the game of golf is ‘important’ and added that it is ‘nice sport’, which teaches ‘a lot of etiquette’ and can be played both individually and within a team.

“It’s important that we’re doing our bit to try and give back and grow it as much as possible,” he said.

Youngsters under the age of 14 can attend for free but must be accompanied by an adult.

There are junior memberships available for those aged 14 to 18. The studio is open 9am to 8pm from Monday to Friday and from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

For more information, visit: www.golfperformancestudio.co.uk