High-tech golf simulator a big hit

Fred Bender and Tim Polce have a new toy.

They already accomplished their dream - a top-of-the-line driving range equipped with a synthetic putting area, a chipping range and a soon-to-open restaurant that will include a full kitchen - but the longtime business partners recently added a state-of-the-art amenity.

"Yeah, it's pretty high tech," Polce said, with a smile.

Pasadena Hills Driving Range, located at Handcart Road and Jesse Daniel Drive in Wesley Chapel, is now equipped with a $45,000 indoor, air-conditioned simulator. Golfers take full swings into a floor-to-ceiling screen, which allows them to not only play full rounds of golf on well-known courses but helps them improve their swing by giving a readout of ball speed, launch and spin, clubhead speed and path.

"People love the range, but at the same time, you can only hit so many balls out there, and they go the same way," said Bender, who works with several high school golfers from Pasco, Zephyrhills and Wiregrass Ranch. "Instead, they can come in here and work with the simulator and see exactly what they are doing wrong with their swing."

Bender and Polce are both PGA teaching professionals who also build custom clubs and synthetic putting greens and tee boxes. Their homes are on the grounds, and they met in the 1990s at a course in Miami. They have always wanted to own a range where golfers can work on their games and hang out. Now, they have accomplished that in Pasadena Hills, which has been open a little more than year and caters to golfers of all ability levels to ages.

"We're about $25,000 short of being completely done and having this place where we want," Bender said. "We want to finish that kitchen (in the restaurant), but the simulator was something we just fell in love with."

Bender says one of the best features of the simulator, especially with the hot weather, is it allows golfers to play and practice without getting tired, and it also eliminates the chance of rain ruining a round. It has become popular enough already, with Bender and Polce forming scramble leagues, in which golfers can sign up weekly then come back and play and post scores on their own time.

"Those leagues are lot of fun," Polce said. "We want to get even more of those."

Rates to use the simulator start at $20 an hour, and Bender says the simulator can be used by anyone, even those not looking to perfect their swing technique. It can be played like a video game, and even miniature golf contests can be played, so Bender expects it to be a big hit with children.

"We're even going to hook up the TV and watch the U.S. Open on the big screen," Bender said. "But that's what we want. We want people hanging out and spending time with golf. That's the whole reason we opened the place."

Correspondent Mike Camunas

can be reached at