As we move into autumn, evening golf is no longer an option and wetter weather is more likely – so it’s time to get some work done on driving ranges and in indoor golf studios. We have some fantastic facilities across the region with state-of-the-art technology and these five are well worth a visit in the months ahead
Matfen Hall Golf Lab
Part of the spectacular Keepers clubhouse – the two studios in The Golf Lab at Matfen Hall are home to industry-leading technology.
The first studio features Foresight GCHawk overhead-mounted launch monitor technology, which uses the same object-sensing and image-capturing systems found in GCQuad and allows players to work with accurate data indoors. Unlike many other studios, with GCHawk left- and right-handed players can use the technology at the same time without having to move any equipment. While you can work with detailed numbers to hone your swing like the professionals, the studio also allows you to test your skills on some of the world’s best courses – from Royal Troon and The Old Course at St Andrews to Abu Dhabi Golf Club and Bethpage’s Black Course with stunning graphics on the big screens.
The Golf Lab is also home to a second studio featuring Foresight GCQuad and PuttView technology – the first studio of its kind in the region. Using augmented reality, the PuttView technology overlays information onto the putting surface in real-time, illustrating every aspect of a putt to allow you to work on one of the most important areas of the game with incredible levels of accuracy and consistency. As well as projecting the line of the putt on the ground, PuttView also tracks your ball in real-time and provides insights into your putting performance beyond what you’d normally see out on the practice green. There’s custom fitting with golf’s biggest names too, and PGA professional coaching with resident pro Tom Robson.
Hobson driving range
The 14-bay floodlit driving range at Hobson Golf Club is a great place to work on your game late into the autumn and winter evenings.
Run by Custom Fit Golf and PGA professional Shaun Cowell, the range is home to PGA professional tuition and custom fitting, plus the club’s incredibly successful junior academy programme. Range cards, offering a discount for serious practisers, are available too and visit to the pro shop while you’re here is highly recommended. Follow @shauncowelldiscountgolf on Instagram for the latest updates.
Longhirst Hall driving range
With 14 covered, floodlit bays featuring Toptracer technology, the driving range at Longhirst Hall is a great all-round practice facility.
Open to members and the public daily 9am-9pm (from noon on Wednesdays), the driving range also features high-quality mats and balls, and several full-length mirrors to help you work on your technique.
The academy site is also home to a 360-degree short game area with space to practise your chipping, pitching and bunker play. Meanwhile, the teaching studio is home to resident PGA professional Paul Fiddes.
Academy membership is available for £95 per year and includes discounts on range balls, one round of golf per month at member’s guest rate, priority booking for custom fitting events, social membership of the club, and lots more – see the website for full details.
Range membership (£45 per month based on a 12-month contract) is also available – giving golfers access to up to 100 balls per day as well as a 10% discount in the clubhouse. For more details on academy and range memberships, call 01670 791 562.
Sharpley driving range and studio
Having been added to the driving range at Sharpley earlier this season, the state-of-the-art TrackMan Range technology has already proved a big hit and is sure to help golfers keep their game sharp this off-season.
The club is home to a 14-bay floodlit driving range with each bay offering the industry-leading technology. Powered by multiple radars which create an overlapping tracking field array, virtual ranges allow players to select targets and track every shot they hit, while they can also move their practice to a virtual golf hole to see how they’re performing. There are also games for all players – whether they’re new to golf or have been playing for decades. These include Closest to the Pin, Bullseye, Hit it! and Capture the Flag. You can also play some of the world’s greatest courses – from Royal Birkdale to Valderrama and PGA National. During or after their session, players can also look at their data for each shot, track their scores, and pinpoint areas to work on in their next session using the TrackMan app.
The TrackMan Range complements the indoor studio at Sharpley – which is powered by TrackMan 4 technology. The studio has access to more than 260 world famous courses as well as allowing players to look at in depth shot analysis, test their skills, and play various games.
The Blast Furnace indoor swing studio at Consett & District Golf Club
Consett & District Golf Club is now home to a state-of-the-art indoor swing studio – The Blast Furnace – which was launched in September 2025.
The new studio is powered by Garmin R50 technology, offering individual golfers and groups the chance to practice, play and compete on virtual ranges and more than 43,000 golf courses – from incredibly tricky digital creations which will test every aspect of your game to replicas of some of the game’s most iconic venues. The studio is open daily and is located within the clubhouse. Bookings can be made online at www.consettanddistrictgolfclub.com/theblastfurnace with sessions priced at £20 per hour for visitors (1-4 users per session).
