Course Correction

If practice makes perfect, then the Club’s upgraded golf simulator promises the ideal environment in which to transform bogeys into birdies. 

A golfer has to train his swing on the practice tee,” once quipped renowned sports psychologist Bob Rotella, “then trust it on the course.” 

Easier said than done, thought a million golfers in unison, but since the 19th Hole opened more than a decade ago, the second-floor golf simulator has helped innumerable Members work the kinks out of their swings without having to travel hours outside the city to a course. 

Now, thanks to a serious upgrade with best-in-class ball-tracking tech, the 19th Hole is set to help another generation of Members shave strokes off their game. 

Equipped with dual-radar technology that monitors everything from club speed and direction to ball trajectory and carry, the Trackman system has been the choice of professionals, club manufacturers and a handful of dedicated amateurs since it was launched in 2003.  

“It’s got to be about two years ago that we started looking at different manufacturers [to upgrade the 19th Hole],” recalls Member and avid golfer Jerry Rosenberg, who spearheaded the search for a new simulator. “We went through a whole process and came out with the decision that Trackman was the best choice.” 

Now in its fourth iteration, the orange and silver tracker no bigger than a briefcase is capable of analyzing dozens of parameters from a single swing while the underlying software comes chockful of simulated ranges and world-class courses perfect for rounds alone or with friends. 

“Our Trackman simulator is based on outdoor data and the outdoor experience,” explains Yuki Endo of Trackman Japan.  

As impressive as the Trackman system may be, it’s not the only impending upgrade to the Club’s golf offerings. Following the unveiling of the renovated 19th Hole on July 10, Members can meet the other two at the Grand Slam Golf event on July 11. 

“I’m looking forward to teaching at the Club with the new simulator,” says incoming Club pro Tomoaki Kibamoto. “I think I could help a lot of people here.” 

“Of course, there’s a difference between how men and women like to practice,” adds fellow new instructor Keiko Inoue, the Club’s first-ever female pro. “Men tend to want to hit as many balls as possible, but I see a lot of women taking notes instead. Sometimes I think they can learn a little from the other.” 

Two new instructors and a state-of-the-art makeover for the simulator. For veteran Club pro Tom Fielding, it’s much more than par for the course. 

“The 19th Hole,” he says, “will be a hub more so than ever before.”

Words: Owen Ziegler
Top image of Club golf pro Keiko Inoue: Yuuki Ide

Grand Slam Golf
July 11 | 10am–4pm