The sun is finally shining over the sprawling metropolis of Manhattan, the workday is almost over, and so it’s now time for my work colleagues and I to begin our pilgrimage over to Chelsea Piers Driving Range. Armed with our small range bags carrying our weapons of choice, we traverse the Big Apple from the office through the maddening crowds wearing our business suits. But unknowingly to all that pass us, we are ready to strip down to our underlying golf attire like Clark Kent about to save the world once again.
For at the Golf Club at Chelsea Piers, situated at Pier 59 on the West Side Highway, one gets to blast golf balls on a choice of 4 levels with the ultimate aim to hit them over the back net into the Hudson River from 6.30am all the way through to Midnight every day!! No buckets here by the way! The range uses a back-saving automatic ball tee-up system that allows you to ‘Tee it up’ to the nearest millimeter without ever the need of bending over and thus saves all your energy for whacking through your golf ball range card at an alarming rate.
Of course this comes with a not-so-small price to pay in both time and money. Paying and playing during the peak hours can hurt you both in waiting time and the wallet (I think it works out to be a quarter a ball). But as this range is the only place you can hit a ball on the island, then you are more than happy to spend that little more for the convenience at this great golfing venue. I have also found that no matter what time of the year you go, then sneaking out for a lunch-time session during the week, or getting yourself up nice and early before work will get you to bask in experiencing the facility in all of its finest glory at a far cheaper rate and without any delay.
As well as the range, the Golf Club also boasts a putting green and a small chipping area in the parking lot. But be warned that this green is lightning fast! Using this as a quick short-game practice, before heading off to one of the many NYC metropolitan courses will certainly leave your putts found wanting when you get out on the real track…
I personally am a pay-as-I-play kind of guy at this range as I like to vary where I practice, so I just buy the $100 ball card that maximizes the discount to a full 15% and just use it across a number of visits. But for those of you who are interested, then there is a multitude of membership levels that are on offer. These allow you to reserve stalls, enjoy discounted ball rates, and use of the locker room facilities. The membership prices seem reasonable (For NYC at least!). I have to be honest, there has been a many a time I really wished I was a member. Just for the simple fact that walking or taking the bus in golf spikes and carrying the chosen clubs for that day from the office can be somewhat cumbersome….
For further information, definitely visit the Golf Club at Chelsea Piers website and why not the Chelsea Brewing Company one while you are at it too!
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