There are hundreds and, more likely, thousands of amazing driving ranges and practice facilities throughout the United States and the rest of the world. From tech-infused lighted ranges and magnificent short-game areas to large, finely manicured practice putting greens and more, many practice facilities spare no expense in making their unique offerings the best they possibly can be.

Driving ranges attached to courses, as well as standalone locations, have really become big business in recent years. Today, operators are seeing these non-course, golf-centric areas as potential big money makers, thanks in large part to the advent and popularity of Topgolf several years ago.

I will share just a few of some of the best driving ranges and practice areas from around America. Some are more traditional, and others are much more broad and inclusive and even include tech like Toptracer, food and beverage options, and more.

A quick snapshot of the driving ranges and practice facilities I’ll look at include:

• Big Cedar Lodge
• Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
• The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers
• Family Golf Learning Center
• Interbay Golf Center
• Haggin Oaks Golf Complex

The Golf Range Association of America is a trusted source for finding out what the best golf ranges are in America. Each year since 2012, the GRAA has awarded some of golf’s best driving ranges as winners in three categories:

• Top 50 Private Facilities
• Top 50 Public Facilities
• Top 50 Stand Alone Facilities

Additionally, they award the best yearly range renovations, as well as the best Growth of the Game Teaching Professionals and Elite Teaching Professionals. The last two mentioned awards, I have been honored to be a recipient of each year since the awards were introduced in 2012.

Spotlight Range: Big Cedar Lodge

Contact Info

Big Cedar Lodge

Address: 612 Devil's Pool Road, Ridgedale, Missouri 65739 Hours: Open 7 AM ⋅ Closes 10 PM Website: www.bigcedar.com/golf/ Phone: (417) 230-5019

Facility Amenities

• Grass tees
  • 3 tee decks; 10 target greens at Top of the Rock
  • 2 tee decks; 6 target greens at Buffalo Ridge Springs
  • 4 tee decks; 8 target greens at Ozarks National
• Accurate yardage measurements on tees to targets
• Short-game practice area
• Lighting for night use
• Grass putting green
• The Tom Watson Putting Course

• Top of the Rock, Jack Nicklaus Signature Par 3 Course

• Mountain Top, Gary Player Designed 13-hole Short Course

• Golf shop (four facilities with approximately 3,500sq ft)
• Food & beverage
• Indoor simulator
• Number of PGA professional instructors: 1
• Total number of visits to range per year: 20,000+
• Number of range balls dispensed on range per year: Approximately 1.2 million
• Number of range balls in inventory: 45,000
• New balls are acquired: Twice per year

Overview & Expert Review

Big Cedar Lodge offers an array of top-line golf practice facilities throughout the resort's various golf courses. There are practice facilities at the Buffalo Ridge and Top of the Rock golf courses, which are next to each other, and there is another fabulous practice facility that accommodates golfers playing at Ozarks National, Payne’s Valley, and the Mountain Top Golf Courses. Both of these practice facilities offer a driving range, short game, and putting practice areas.

The Tom Watson putting course can be found at the Mountain Top Golf Course. This unique and breathtaking course was designed by Missourian and World Golf Hall of Famer Tom Watson.

In addition to the practice facilities and Watson Putting Course, Big Cedar Lodge is home to the world-famous Top of the Rock 9-hole par 3 course, a Jack Nicklaus signature design. If that wasn't enough, fellow World Golf Hall of Famer Gary Player joined Nickalus with a fun short-course design at Big Cedar with his Mountain Top Golf Course. This track is a brilliant 13-hole short course.

Big Cedar Lodge spares no expense in creating an unforgettable and unparalleled golf experience. The golf courses aside, the practice facilities and amenities are world-class. Non-golfers have many options at Big Cedar, too, that go well beyond golf; however, with the unique practice offerings on site, even non-golfers can enjoy giving the game a try!

My Rating:

My rating for the practice facilities at Big Cedar Lodge is 10 out of 10!

Spotlight Range: Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

Contact Info

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

Address: 57744 Round Lake Drive, Bandon, Oregon 97411 Hours: Open First Light ⋅ Closes 1 Hour Before Sunset Website: www.bandondunesgolf.com Phone: (360) 910-7241

Facility Amenities

• Grass tees (91)
• Accurate yardage measurements on tees to targets
• Short-game practice area
• Grass putting green
• Charlotte’s 9-hole par 3 practice course
• Punchbowl 100,000sq ft putting course

• Bandon Preserve 13-hole par 3 course

• Shorty's 19-hole short course
• Club fitting
• Golf shop
• Food & beverage
• Number of PGA professional instructors: 12
• Total number of visits to range per year: 55,000
• Number of range balls dispensed per year: Approximately 1.4 million
• Number of range balls in inventory: 45,000
• New balls are acquired: Twice per year

Overview & Expert Review

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is iconic American golf. The resort boasts some of the most breathtaking and awe-inspiring golf course views in the world. The practice facilities at Bandon also offer up vistas just as amazing as the courses do. The main practice facility has a 91-station grass tee range with numerous short-game and putting practice greens.

Bandon is all about creating memorable experiences and embracing the fun that comes with playing golf. Beyond the main practice facility, you will find some very unique gems, done as only Bandon Dunes can do. Right of the main practice area is Charlotte’s 9-hole par 3 practice course. The Punchbowl is a 100,000 sq ft putting course that pays homage to the Himalayas putting course at St. Andrews in Scotland.

The short courses at Bandon, beyond Charlotte’s, which is adjacent to the practice facility, include Bandon Preserve, an amazing 13-hole par 3 course, and the newly opened Shorty's 19-hole short course.

Bandon uses its practice facilities and short courses to help grow the game in the Pacific Northwest. They offer a very busy junior golf schedule, which includes clinics and other programs for young golfers of all ages. Additionally, they offer a free junior golf program for Coquille Indian Tribe youth, as well as free use of facilities for local golf teams.

My Rating

My rating for the practice facilities at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is 10 out of 10!

Spotlight Range: The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers

Contact Info

The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers

Address: 59 Chelsea Piers, New York, NY 10011 Hours: Open 7 AM ⋅ Closes 11 PM Website: http://www.chelseapiers.com/golf Phone: (212) 336-6400

Facility Amenities

• Bays with mats (52)
• Accurate yardage measurements on tees to targets
• Short-game practice area
• Lighting for night use
• Synthetic putting green
• Covered areas
• Heated bays (52)
• Golf shop (600 sq. ft.)
• Food & beverage
• Indoor simulator
• Number of PGA professional instructors: 5
• Total number of visits to range per year: 275,000
• Number of range balls dispensed per year: Approximately 15 million
• Number of range balls in inventory: 80,000
• New balls are acquired: Once per year

Overview & Expert Review

Set in the heart of New York City, one of the most famous urban ranges in the world has to be our next spotlight driving range and practice facility: The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers. This uniquely designed facility is built, like all things in NYC, out of the idea that space is at a premium.

The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers offers 52 covered, heated, and cooled hitting bays with mats and is lit for nighttime practice … because in the NYC, the city never sleeps. There is also a short-game practice area and indoor simulators.

The Chelsea Piers Golf Academy is one of the most high-tech golf training facilities in NYC. Instruction is provided by PGA of America professionals, and memberships are available.

And like with most modern golf ranges and practice facilities, food and drink can be found at The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers Water Hazard Bar and Lounge.

My Rating

My rating for The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers is 9.5 out of 10!

Spotlight Range: Interbay Golf Center

Contact Info

Interbay Golf Center

Address: 2501 15th Ave. West, Seattle, Washington 98119 Hours: Open 7 AM ⋅ Closes 10 PM Website: www.premiergc.com/-interbay-golf-center Phone: (206) 285-2200

Facility Amenities

• Bays with mats (80)
• Accurate yardage measurements on tees to targets
• Short-game practice area
• Lighting for night use
• Grass putting green
• Covered areas
• TopTracer ball flight monitor
• Miniature golf course (18)
• 9-hole links-style executive par 3 golf course
• Golf shop (2,000sq ft)
• Food & beverage
• Number of PGA professional instructors: 5
• Total number of visits to range per year: 125,000
• Number of range balls dispensed per year: Approximately 15 million
• Number of range balls in inventory: 80,000
• New balls are acquired: Twice per year

Overview & Expert Review

The Interbay Golf Center is a GRAA Top 50 Range and is considered by many to be Seattle's best all-weather, heated driving range. The facility offers 80 hitting stations off mats and, like many modern ranges, has TopTracer Range on site. TopTracer brings the fun, excitement, and practice capabilities that you find at Topgolf to the driving range. The range is also lit for nighttime practice and offers covered bays, so rain won't damper your practice session.

There are short game and practice putting greens onsite, as well as a miniature golf course and a 9-hole, links-style par 3 course. Food and beverages are also available.

The Interbay Golf Center has a very busy event schedule, which includes:

• PGA Junior League
• Get Golf Ready/Better clinics
• Complimentary adult and junior clinics
• Glow Ball events
• Halloween mini golf

Private individual and group lessons are available from any one of the five PGA professionals on staff.

My Rating

My rating for The Interbay Golf Center is 9.5 out of 10!

Spotlight Range: Family Golf Learning Center

Contact Info

Family Golf Learning Center

Address: 3717 Tree Court Industrial Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63122 Hours: Open 9 AM ⋅ Closes 10 PM Website: www.familygolfonline.com Phone: (636) 861-2500

Facility Amenities

• Grass tees (40)
• Bays with mats (60)
• Heated bays (30)
• Accurate yardage measurements on tees to targets
• AccuRange app integration
• Short-game practice area
• Lighting for night use
• Synthetic putting green
• Grass putting green
• 9-hole par 3 course
• Golf shop (1,000 sqft)
• Food & beverage
• Indoor simulator
• Club repair
• Fitness center
• Number of PGA professional instructors: 6
• Number of LPGA professional instructors: 1
• Total number of visits to range per year: 150,000
• Number of range balls dispensed per year: Approximately 10,000,000
• Number of range balls in inventory: 100,000
• New balls are acquired: 3 times per year

Overview & Expert Review

The Family Golf Learning Center in St. Louis, MO, is one of the best standalone golf practice facilities in the country. The mission of the Family Golf Learning Center is:

“Our encouraging and friendly atmosphere provides the golfing community an experience that allows one to learn the game, practice their skills, and play their best golf.”

This facility really has everything that a golfer would ever want from a practice center. The range itself has year-round double-decker-hitting bays that are heated and cooled with wind dividers. There are 60 bays undercover with mats and 40 grass tee stations, all of which are housed under lights for night practice.

The facility offers three indoor TrackMan simulator bays and a unique “scoring lab,” which is an indoor short-game practice area. If that wasn't enough, there is a fitness center, a full-service, state-of-the-art club repair and fitting center, and a 9-hole par 3 course!

There is a very strong staff of 6 PGA professionals and 1 LPGA professional who leads a variety of clinics and programs as well as provides individual coaching and instruction.

To round things out, the Family Golf Learning Center offers a full-service golf shop and its Back Nine Bar and Restaurant. The Family Golf Learning Center is very active in the local community, especially in the youth golf arena. The following are just a few of the events they sponsor or host:

• Presenting Sponsor — American Junior Golf Association St. Louis junior golf tournament
• Contributing Sponsor — Pedal the Cause St. Louis event
• Hosted Jon Jay Family Foundation event
• Hosted other numerous local charitable organizations
• Host site for First Tee of Greater St. Louis
• Sponsored and donated to numerous local charities, including Folds of Honor and Make-A-Wish
• Practice facility for local high schools and colleges

My Rating

My rating for the Family Golf Center is 9.5 out of 10!

Spotlight Range: Haggin Oaks Golf Complex

Contact Info

Haggin Oaks Golf Complex

Address: 3645 Fulton Ave, Sacramento, CA 95821 Hours: Open 8 AM ⋅ Closes 12 AM Website: www.hagginoaks.com Phone: (916) 808-2525

Facility Amenities

• Bays with mats (92)
• Accurate yardage measurements on tees to targets
• Short game practice area
• Lighting for night use
• TopTracer ball flight monitor
• Synthetic putting green
• Grass putting green
• Miniature golf course
• Food & beverage
• Clubfitting
• Massive golf shop
• Number of PGA professional instructors: 8
• Number of LPGA professional instructors: 1
• Total number of visits to range per year: 216,666
• Number of range balls dispensed per year: Approximately 26,000,000
• Number of range balls in inventory: 75,000
• New balls are acquired: Four times per year

Overview & Expert Review

Anyone who plays golf in California — or the western United States, for that matter — knows my last spotlight driving range and practice facility very, very well. Run for many years by industry legends, the Morton family, Haggin Oaks Golf Complex is not only one of America’s best practice facilities and courses, but it also sets the standard for on-course retail with its massive Haggin Oaks Golf Super Shop, which boasts a 15,000+ square foot retail store with 3 million dollars worth of inventory.

The practice facilities at Haggin Oaks offer a 92-bay driving range, mostly all off of mats, complete with TopTracer technology. The range is equipped with lights and is open late for those wanting to practice after work. There is a practice short-game area complete with a large putting green. Miniature golf is also available, and who doesn't love an occasional game of mini-golf?

The Morton family always has events going on at Haggin Oaks, and most of those feature its practice facilities prominently. Additionally, the Morton Golf Foundation funds programs offering a healthy, outdoor, recreational environment that stresses the building of lasting personal relationships while seamlessly instilling life’s core values for the youth, disabled, and underserved communities of Sacramento. Some of the supported nonprofit organizations include:

• The American Heart Association
• Angels for Hearts
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento
• Center for Fathers and Families
• College scholarships
• First Tee of Greater Sacramento
• Hiram Johnson High School Life & Golf Skills Facility
• Junior golf development grants
• Latino Jr. Golf Association
• LPGA Amateur Golf Association
• NCGA Foundation / Youth on Course
• No. CA Minority Jr. Golf Scholarship Assoc., Inc.
• NCPGA Foundation / PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere)
• Rocklin Little Thunder Jr. Golf Programs
• Sacramento Golf Council
• Sacramento State women’s golf
• Saving Strokes program
• Society for the Blind
• Special Olympics of Northern CA / CA Eagles Golf Programs
• UC Davis golf teams
• Veterans’ golf program

My Rating

My rating for The Haggin Oaks Golf Complex is 9.5 out of 10!

Summing Things Up

There are roughly 15,500 golf courses in the United States, most of which have some sort of driving range and practice facilities. There are another 5,000+ standalone driving ranges, as well as hundreds of indoor and nontraditional golf entertainment facilities, like Topgolf and Drive Shack.

With that in mind, it is important to understand that my list is by far not a representation of ALL the spectacular ranges and practice facilities in the game. You can find many outstanding facilities throughout the country. For more information on this topic or any other golf-related topic, feel free to contact me or any of the Curated Golf Experts.