Portsmouth's new indoor golf facility lets you play year round

Newport Indoor Golf offers many different courses, driving range and more

By Jim McGaw
Posted 1/10/19

PORTSMOUTH — Ever wanted to hit the links at The Grove in Hertfordshire, England, the host for the 2016 British Masters?

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Portsmouth's new indoor golf facility lets you play year round

Newport Indoor Golf offers many different courses, driving range and more

Posted

PORTSMOUTH — Ever wanted to hit the links at The Grove in Hertfordshire, England, the host for the 2016 British Masters?

How about the Royal Troon in Ayrshire, Scotland, founded in 1878?

Or, if you’d rather stay in the United States, how about Muirfield Village in Ohio, founded by Jack Nicklaus in 1974?

Now you can play a round at those famous courses and many more without ever leaving Portsmouth. Newport Indoor Golf, a new 5,000-square-foot indoor virtual golf facility that recently opened near the Newport Car Museum in the Raytheon Complex off West Main Road, allows new and seasoned golfers the chance to play year round, regardless of the weather.

“Our mission at Newport Indoor Golf is to offer a world-class facility for golfers to play, practice, and develop their games,” said Max Buerman, who founded the facility which opened its doors on Dec. 10. “We believe that everyone can improve from our facility through our top-of-the-line technology, PGA professional instruction, and premium features.”

Mr. Buerman is the son of Gunther and Maggie Buerman, who opened the Newport Car Museum in June 2017. The golf facility is located in the same complex at 1947 West Main Road, but has a separate entrance on the north side of the building.

Mr. Buerman, an avid golfer himself, graduated from Cornell University and expects to earn an MBA from Boston University later this year. “I actually worked in the marine industry until 2017 in Portsmouth and Warren,” he said.

Although a smaller virtual golf facility recently opened in Middletown, Mr. Buerman said “this type of premier facility is new to the island” and that the closest one of its kind is about 30 miles away in Southern Massachusetts.

Newport Indoor Golf features four TrackMan indoor golf simulators that allow golfers to practice on a virtual driving range or tee off on courses from around the world. Fully customized bays feature high-definition projection screens with living room seating and amenities. A custom contour putting green is also available.

“We have a practice software and then we have virtual golf which resembles a video game-like atmosphere,” Mr. Buerman said. “You hit the ball, you see how far it goes and where it lands. You don’t have to walk one foot.”

The simulator tracks the speed and angle of the golfer’s swing, among other factors, to determine where the ball ends up, he said. 

“It’s very realistic,” he said. “We have 31 courses, ranging from Scotland to Brazil to North America, and we’re adding new ones each month.”

Mr. Buerman said his personal favorite is The Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland, considered to be the oldest golf course in the world (established 1552). “That’s as historic as it comes,” he said of the course that’s commonly known as “the cathedral of golf.”

Not every course is from distant lands, however. “They added Shelter Harbor (Charlestown) just a month ago,” Mr. Buerman said. “We’ve had people from Rhode Island tell us they’ve never played Shelter Island, but they will today.”

Of course, the weather is always perfect at the new facility. “As a year-round weatherproof facility for golfing enthusiasts, we’re particularly excited about breaking the off-season cycle of New England golf,” said Mr. Buerman. Golfing in the winter, he said, doesn’t need to include down jackets, hats and gloves; one can play the PGA National in Florida or Royal Birkdale in England wearing nothing but a T-shirt and shorts.

Alone or with a group

One can play alone, or with a group of up to eight people on a single virtual course, Mr. Buerman said.

“We have two PGA professionals on staff,” said Mr. Buerman, noting the facility is PGA-accredited. “They’re always wandering over to make sure everyone’s having s good time, but they can also give you tips while you play.”

Private lessons and clinics are available on request and lesson plans are available for all ages and abilities. “We plan on offering mini-clinics, junior clinics, speaker series, and professional teaching seminars,” Mr. Buerman said. “Memberships and league play will be introduced shortly, with multiple options available, including private leagues for corporations and groups.”

Although walk-ins can play immediately if bays are available, Mr. Buerman urges everyone to book tee times in advance through its website or by calling the pro shop (401/847-1947). 

Newport Indoor Golf, located at 1947 West Main Road, Portsmouth,   is open to the public from 1-9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays; and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Bookings for private lessons and parties are by appointment.

For pricing and more information, visit www.newportindoorgolf.com, call 401/847-1947 or find the business on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Newport Indoor Golf

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