Golf simulator business opens in Fresno, using AI to bring famous courses to customers
Golfers of all skill levels now have a chance to hit the links come rain or shine — or the dreaded summertime heat in Fresno thanks to a new golfing simulator business.
Par-Fect Day For Golf, or PDGF, provides customers the opportunity to play some of the most popular courses in the world through an virtual golf setup indoors.
Located at the northwest corner of Blackstone and Sierra avenues, PDFG offers three full golfing simulators (each located in a private bay), one driving range simulator and three AI putting greens that gives golfers verbal feedback how to correct their putt.
“So when you come in, you can actually improve your game or have a bunch of fun,” co-owner Steve Sasso said. “It’s great entertainment.”
The way the golf simulator works is:
Golfers position themselves on the artificial grass and hit a golf ball equipped with senors toward a screen showing the virtual course.
Upon contact, the golfing simulator’s computer software uses three cameras to calculate the speed of the swing and how the ball is struck by the club to track the ball’s trajectory.
The screen will show the ball in motion in relation to the course using virtual reality graphics and various camera angles.
Other factors that determine how and where the ball travels on the course are various weather conditions controlled by the simulator programming.
PDFG, which held a grand opening last weekend, is the latest golfing simulator establishment in Fresno. It’s open to the public and operates seven days a week, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sasso said he came up with the idea to start a golf simulator business in Fresno for public use after playing in one a few years ago in Anaheim.
“If you want to play golf before work, that’s an option here,” Sasso said. “Or if you want to play late into the night or come with your friends and play a round together on the weekends, we are here.
“You see these simulators on TV when you’re watching golf and the graphics with all the data that break down their swing. Well, you get a similar experience here with this technology. And it’s not just for people who have a membership to a private golf course.”
Though novices are welcome to play at PDFG, the golf simulator experience is far from like playing traditional miniature golf. In addition, customers need to bring their own clubs since PDFG does not provide golf clubs.
There are more than 80 courses that the PDFG simulator can project for golfers to play, including Pebble Beach Golf Course, which would cost $625 per person to play a round on the actual course near Carmel Beach.
Rates to use the PDFG full simulator are $30 to $45 per hour, depending on how long someone plays.
The driving range bay, which is limited to two golfers at a time, costs $15 per 30 minutes.
The putting bay, also limited to two golfers, is $5 per 30 minutes.
There is also a VIP room for coaches to work with golfers in a more private setting.
PDFG recommends reservations for all golfers.
Sasso, a Fresno native, said PDFG currently provides drinks and snacks, and is in the process of obtaining a liquor license to sell beer.
“What’s great about this place is, if it’s raining hard outside, if it’s really cold, if it’s hot outside, none of those weather elements get in the way of playing inside here,” Sasso said. “But if you wanted to play in the same weather conditions one of the pro golfers at say Pebble Beach, we could input the live conditions and it’s like your competing with them.
“It’s a fun place for golfing enthusiasts and for those looking to get into golf, as well as for the people who like to golf but can’t always fit a long day on the course into their busy schedule.”
