Borth golf club opens new indoor facility

Members of Borth & Ynyslas Golf Club were welcomed on Friday evening to see a new indoor golf facility which its organisers hope will open up the sport to the wider community.

The unveiling of two state-of-the-art TrackMan simulator bays, with refreshments for those members attending, represents a new chapter for a club steeped in the history of Welsh golf.

Club director Jon Cook has been a driving force behind the development, which has transformed the former professional's shop and workshop into a space where golfers can practise, play full rounds and compete with friends without having to brave the weather on the Cardigan Bay coast.

But those behind the project insist it is about more than installing expensive technology. Their ambition is to strengthen the club's place within Borth, attract new generations of players and offer something for families and visitors as well as established golfers.

The two bays use TrackMan's sophisticated shot-tracking technology to provide instant information on how a ball has been struck. Golfers can study measurements including distance, speed and spin, while coaches can use detailed data to identify areas for improvement.

For those less concerned with perfecting their swing, the software offers virtual courses, games and competitions. Players hit real golf balls into a screen and watch their shots recreated in a digital setting, with the option to take on famous courses or compete against other players.

Mr Cook and those involved hope to run winter leagues, while the facility can also be used for lessons, individual practice or a more informal session with family and friends.

The club's president, Sue Wilson, has been involved in discussions about its future, with the new investment intended to serve the community as well as the existing membership.

Public bookings are expected to begin by the end of November, after a period of testing and introductory sessions. Organisers envisage charges of around £20 an hour for visitors and a lower rate, potentially around £10, for members, although final prices have not yet been settled.

An online booking system is planned to provide visitors with an entry code, allowing them to use the facility outside normal clubhouse hours. Equipment will activate for the booked session and switch off afterwards. Basic golf equipment is also expected to be available for beginners.

The project follows the retirement earlier this year of the club's long-serving professional, who had been associated with the course for 49 years. Mr Cook has helped oversee the space's new purpose, with club volunteers also contributing to the transformation.

Despite the modern equipment, Borth & Ynyslas is keen to preserve its identity. The club describes its links as the oldest golf course in Wales, while its classic layout bears the influence of celebrated course architect Harry Colt.

Its 18 holes run alongside the dunes and coastline, where challenging winds and views over the Dyfi estuary have long been part of the attraction. The club also works with Natural Resources Wales over the sensitive natural environment surrounding the course.

That setting remains central to the club's identity. From the course, golfers can take in the estuary, Cambrian Mountains and waves breaking on the beach, even when a golf ball has gone missing.

Today the club has around 270 members, spanning active junior, women's, men's and senior sections. It operates as a Community Amateur Sports Club and says that making golf accessible is central to its purpose.

Its New2Golf programme introduces around 15 to 20 beginners to the game each year through coaching, support from existing members and reduced introductory membership rates.

The clubhouse has also become more welcoming to non-members, with a newly appointed steward and food and drink available to the public. The club holds a longstanding charity golf event for the RNLI, while captains raise money for local causes.

Other improvements include a developing year-round short-game practice area, plans for outdoor driving bays and efforts to promote the club's seven-hole par-three course to beginners and holidaymakers.

The club is also working with caravan parks, holiday accommodation providers and hotels in Aberystwyth to encourage visitors to stay and play in the area. Steve McDowall, a member helping with the project's promotion, has been involved in building these relationships. He said: "It's not all about money all the time. We want it to just put Borth a bit more on the map."

They hope the partnerships will benefit other local businesses and give holidaymakers an alternative to the beach on wet afternoons.

The new indoor centre could eventually support a wider coaching role, with the club reporting early discussions with Wales Golf about the possibility of becoming a regional centre of excellence. That prospect remains at the discussion stage.

For now, the immediate goal is simpler: give members a chance to discover the technology, introduce local people to a different way of playing golf and make the most of facilities that can be used when the coastal weather turns.

For Mr Cook, the club president and those who have helped bring the project together, the ambition is to build on Borth's sporting heritage while ensuring its doors are open to the next generation of golfers and the wider community.