TEMECULA – How’s your golf game these days? Is it good enough to play Torrey Pines, Pebble Beach, Pine Valley or even Augusta? Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t, but it could always be better, right? Courses like those obviously cost a pretty penny and aren’t close to home, but what if they were? And, what if you could play them for a fraction of the cost, and on your own time? Well, guess what?
The new Swing Indoor Golf Club in Temecula can put you right in the action of big-time courses, while helping you improve your game, all the while staying out of the heat. Let’s face it, it’s been hot lately, and it’s only going to get hotter in the summer months ahead…so why not golf with the air conditioner on.
In the last decade, indoor golf has gained almost as much popularity as regular golf, and local business owner Joseph Bortfeld, along with his family, jumped at the opportunity to join in on one of the fastest growing golf trends. The Swing Indoor Golf Club is Temecula’s newest indoor golf venue that offers a virtual golf experience for golfers of all abilities and ages. Though, Bortfeld says that it’s better to have some experience when visiting his establishment since it isn’t like what you would find at those light up arcade style venues, or even your typical driving range.
“Yes, it has all the feels of a being in a life size video game, but this is for those who wish to improve their game while having fun,” says Bortfeld. “We are pulling real time data for you, from swing speed and launch angle, to rotation and distance, and so much more.”
Like any other skill-based game, golf requires relentless practice. You will need to spend hours refining your techniques and perfecting your swings. However, not everyone is fortunate enough to live near a golf course or driving range that you can visit anytime. Even if you are one of the lucky people, there are still concerns over those harsh weather days.
That’s not a worry at The Swing Indoor Golf Club because when you step inside the temperature-controlled facility, you will feel right at home with the setup. There are four bays with gigantic screens and well-padded turf areas, as well as optional tee sizes for club preference. There is even a separate driving range area, which is available at a low hourly rate.
“It’s all real time, so you get your data immediately, which allows you to fix something in your swing on your very next approach,” says Bortfeld. “I love seeing the look people get when they experience our version of simulator golf. Everyone is so eager to return.”
Bortfeld’s son, Brando, who is on the golf team at MSJC, was the deciding factor for this business venture, he said. “When COVID hit, he (Brando) was on the football team at Temecula Valley High School and was going through the recruiting process to play at the next level. That was a tough time for a lot of student athletes when their worlds got turned upside down by the changing landscapes of what colleges were doing. I’m not knocking what they did, but with more and more college athletes staying on for a fifth or sixth year, we knew that was going to hurt the chances of getting play time for younger college athletes.”
Golf was always something the Bortfeld family did for fun, but according to Joe, while his oldest son Santino liked the game, his youngest son really took to the game during his down time of the pandemic.
“All of the sudden Brando was all about golf, and I loved it,” Joe says. “He was playing with his friends, and asking me for tips, and while I always took my game seriously, I golf for leisure, so when he (Brando) wanted to take his game to the next level, we agreed he should aim his sights at MSJC.”
While sitting around the living room one day after work, which involves owning a logistics management company, Joe’s wife, Jen, had gotten on the topic of how hot it was that day, and wondered if there was a place where Brando could go to swing indoors. It was then that after doing some research, and learning there wasn’t much of an option here locally to practice golf inside, Joe’s imagination ran wild.
“We looked up at-home golf simulator options, and it seemed to be a business on the rise, but then I thought about how many more families there were like us, and that’s when we agreed to see what we could do to bring an indoor swing facility to the golfers of the Temecula Valley,” says Joe.
With the concept on paper, and his construction skills on point, Joe met with designers of the electronic kind, got some finances together and brought his family’s idea to life over the past year. The outcome is something to be proud of as this isn’t a franchise in itself but has all the components to be one should they ever choose to branch out.
With every ball strike the ambience is like being on a real-life golf course, allowing you to play in various locations. Every trip you take to the facility, can be like a new unique experience and there isn’t a group of golfers pressuring you from behind. From the bird calls to the sounds of waterfalls, ocean waves, rain, wind or even the roar of the crowd, it’s easy to get lost in the game. There is even plenty of seating and room to enjoy your own snacks and drinks while waiting your turn. It’s also recommended you bring your own clubs, though they do have some to rent if needed.
“With the heat turning up, avoid the sunscreen, and come swing inside,” says Bortfeld. “We want to be an alternative choice to help improve anyone’s game or be an option for a fun trip out of the house for the family.”
To find out more information about The Swing Indoor Golf Club, or to book your tee time online, visit www.theswinggolf.com. Another great way to stay up to date is by following their Instagram page (@theswingindoorgolfclub) to see if there is last-minute tee time available, or to check on discount rates and promotions. The facility is located at 27576 Commerce Center Dr., Ste. 101, in Jefferson Court, and while their hours vary, they are open most days by appointment only.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com.
