Located in the Southern side of the United States, the also called Pelican State counts with some great golf courses, such as the Tom Fazio’s Squire Creek, the Nicklaus’s Country Club of Louisiana, the Pete Dye’s TPC Louisiana or the Arnold Palmer’s The Bluffs, among many others. But Louisiana is also home of several indoor golf venues where you can practice when the weather is harsh and not inviting to go to an outdoor course, or when you do not have time to go to a classic course and spend some hours playing a round. Indoor golf is a simpler and sometimes different way of playing this sport, especially when there is high technology in play. Virtual golf, although can be somehow not the same as playing outdoors and surrounded by nature, offers some other advantages such as the possibility of measuring your swing and shots in the most detailed way possible.We have made a list with the best indoor and virtual golf facilities in Louisiana for those eager to try out this different but interesting option:
Best Golf Courses in (Province/State)
Located in Metairie, the biggest suburb of the capital city New Orleans, we can find the LOFT18, a relaxed and cozy place to spend an afternoon with friends or family, playing golf and having some food and drinks. They sum it up pretty well with their slogan: Eat. Drink. Golf!LOFT18 is the result of the idea of three old high school friends, Chris Molina, Greg Whitman, and Brett Gaudet, who, united by their passion for golf, decided to build a place to offer a different approach to the game. And sure they did! Their facility here is quite impressive: 7,400 square feet of space with 31 parking spots for clients, up to five virtual simulators featuring 95 different courses, a full bar, TVs with live events, plenty of sofas, tables, and chairs, and a balcony, all in one place. As for the rates, one hour of simulator costs between $35 and $45 depending on the day of the week. However, take into account that this is the price per simulator, not per person, so the more you come to play, the cheaper for each of you! (One simulator fits up to ten people).Finally, remember that this complex is only designed for people to rent the simulators on their own, so lessons here are not available! However, there is the possibility of renting the whole space for events, meetings or any type of social gathering.Address: 3128 Metairie Rd, Metairie, LA 70001Contact: 504-827-1059
2. The Flagstick Golf (Metairie)
In the same area than the LOFT18, this time inside the Clearview Mall, The Flagstick Golf presents itself as an alternative more aimed at the whole family than its predecessor: its 7 simulators count not only with several famous courses to play at, but also some mini-games and challenges, perfect for the youngest ones.However, children-free plans are also an option here: virtual courses to play, a full bar with drinks and food, organized leagues and the possibility of renting the space for events and meetings are only some of them.As for the pricing here, renting the simulator for an hour costs between $20 and $40, depending on the day and time. However, there is also the possibility of becoming a member, with three different options available: the Range Membership ($99 per month), which gives access to 30 minutes of driving range per day, a guest fee of $10 and a $20 discount for the game; the Premium Membership ($199 per month), allowing 2 hours per day of any software and same benefits than the Range; and the Corporate Membership ($500 per month), which includes 5 designated premium members and your company logo embedded on the software while playing.Address: 4436 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA 70006Contact: (504)-510-5577
3. Rob Noel Golf Academy – Tech Center (Jefferson)
The Rob Noel Golf Academy is a well-known academy in Louisiana, and are present in two different locations: Money Hill in Abita Springs and Cypress Lakes Country Club at Ormond, in Destrehan. But the really interesting thing they also have is what they call the Tech Center, a great indoor facility with several services: a 1,200 square foot putting and chipping range with 10 hitting bays, a virtual simulator offering up to 55 different courses to choose from, an AimPoint Green Reading Express, a Trackman software technology, and club fitting services.In this indoor facility, there is also the possibility of taking private lessons, what in the case of junior players they call the Junior Training Program. In the case of the private lessons, the general rate is $120 per hour.The rates for renting the simulator and range are reasonable, however, if you plan on going on a weekly basis, make sure of checking their memberships: for the range, the individual fee is $18 plus taxes per hour, while the monthly fee is $54, 95 (if you use it thrice a month, it will already be cheaper for you). As for the simulator, renting fee ranges from $35 to $55 per hour depending on the number of people playing.Address: Big Easy Sportsplex 800 Webb Street in Jefferson, LAContact: (504) 300-1235
4. Golftec (Metairie & Baton Rouge)
What can we say about a company that counts with more than 140 locations spread throughout the whole U.S. territory, and more than 200,000 clients? Golftec is well known by any American golfer, and it is a great option for those looking for taking some private lessons and take their game to the next level. The main strengths of GOLFTEC are that they count with their own technology for analyzing the player’s swing: motion measurement and video analysis with their patented TECSWING training technology in all of their locations. In the case of Louisiana, there are two of them, one in Baton Rouge and the other one in Metairie, the biggest suburb of New Orleans. As for the lessons, they are imparted by Patrick Malone, Steven Calamari, and Robert Emmett in Metairie; while in Baton Rouge the instructors are Rob Murphy (PGA), Ryan Mcgwyer (PGA), and William Maciasz. Address and contact (Metairie): 3213 17th Street, Metairie, LA / (504) 208-2237Address and contact (Baton Rouge): 2561 Citiplace CT #700, Baton Rouge, LA / (225) 308-3934
5. Lunar Mini Golf (Shreveport & Bossier City)
Finally, we end our list with an indoor mini golf center for those looking for some fun playing golf with their kids. The Lunar Mini Golf is a company with 17 locations across the Southern side of the United States. In the case of Louisiana, there are two facilities, one in Shreveport and the other one in Bossier City. Here there is the possibility of playing a round for rates that range from $6 to $9 per person, depending on the age of the player. There is also the possibility of organizing birthday parties, with a general package for $99 that includes a 90-minute party for a maximum of 12 players and adding $8 per additional player. Address and contact (Shreveport): Mall St Vincent, 1133 St Vincent Ave., Shreveport, LA / (828) 315-0411Address and contact (Bossier City); Pierre Bossier Mall, 2000 E Texas Rd., Bossier City, LA / (912) 399-1918
Wrap up
As we have just seen, the indoor places for playing golf in Louisiana are not numerous, however, the ones available are of great quality, showing that businesses here are making an effort to offer the best service to their clients. Probably more locations will open in the future, with more and more technological advances that will help the player improve in every way without the need of having to go to a real golf course. Let’s wait and see!
