For those in search of a new surprisingly social hobby, look no further than pulling up to the many driving ranges on offer in Brisbane. Perfecting your swing and watching a ball disappear into the horizon kinda gives off a similar vibe to bowling–but better. Gather the gang, get a few bevs going and unwind from a cooked week by flogging a white ball into the actual sun. Here are the best driving ranges in Brisbane.
Golf Driving Ranges
Golf Central
Brisbane Airport
Ok, so Golf Central really has it all. For the pros, grab a bucket of balls and head to the Practice District to dive into your swing analytics, taking your game to the next level. For the civilians among us, book a play bay in the Toptracer Play District for up to six players and play, eat and drink with friends while you whack balls into oblivion (but hopefully not a plane)—no skill required. For $70 you get a dedicated bay for an hour for up to six people, unlimited range balls and rental club hire and you can even get food and drinks delivered to your table.
Victoria Park
Kelvin Grove
Everyone knows and loves Victoria Park for their cool themed putt-putt courses and surprisingly impressive onsite bar and restaurant, but their driving range takes things up a notch. Victoria Park is the home of the only inner-city driving range, complete with all the latest golfing technology and equipment. The facility boasts a 300m all-weather, two-level, floodlit golf driving range that includes 53 hitting bays and a grass-hitting tee plus four target greens. It’s fully licensed, is open morning ‘til night every day of the year except for Christmas and has function spaces available for corporate, private or special events.
Oxley Golf Driving Range
Oxley
The Oxley Golf Complex is doing things a little differently. This golf club is straight-up massive, and the driving range is the star of the show—it has the largest natural grass tee areas in Brisbane and a putting green all aimed at helping you improve your golf skills. You can even get private lessons and packages from a pro—head over here to book or find out more.
Brookwater Golf Driving Range
Brookwater
Bougie alert at the Brookwater Golf Driving Range. These guys are operating at the cream-of-the-crop level and upon even entering the car park you can tell. Half mega golf course, half country club, the surrounds of the driving range are picturesque Australian bushland landscapes including natural water features, spectacular rock formations and stands of ghost gums. With 12 public and 10 member grass-hitting bays, chipping and bunker areas and a large putting green, the driving range is an excellent spot for improving both your long and short game.
Ipswich Golf Driving Range
Ipswich
Residents of the ‘Switch for once don't have to miss out on the fun, with the Ipswich Golf Driving Range in their backyard. The Ipswich Golf Driving Range boasts 25 all-weather undercover driving bays and a first-class grass tee. There's an on-site coffee shop that serves up a delicious brews as well as milkshakes, frappes and smoothies. Cold drinks, chips, chocolates, ice cream, ice blocks and sweets are on offer as well as a fully licensed bar.
Meadowbrook Golf Club
Meadowbrook
The recently renovated clubhouse at Meadowbrook Golf Club is a truly distracting drawcard when you're trying to perfect your swing. High teas, elevated lunches and proper ‘going out’ dinners are being cheffed up in this Logan-based golf club—for us its all about the homemade sausage rolls and masterfully frothed cappuccinos. Of course, they also have spots to play golf. They have a huge golf green, a mini golf section, and of course a huge driving range. You can score lessons for yourself and even little ones, and the team can cater to any and all events.
Marsden Golf Driving Range
Marsden
Another recently renovated driving range, Marsden Golf Driving Range has been revamped with golfers in mind. Safety was a huge part of the revamp, with each spot on the driving range having its own net—so no fear of hitting someone with your ball, or worse, your club. The staff are almost all PGA professional golfers, and are available for advice, lessons, club fitting and repair services. They also have an onsite full-service repair centre with a lie loft machine, re-shafting, length adjustments and regripping.
Indoor Golf Simulators
The Big Swing Golf
Virginia
A breath of fresh air in the things-to-do category, the indoor golf simulators here combine a relaxed atmosphere, state-of-the-art facilities, a fully licensed bar and friendly staff. The simulators are the perfect answer to the work Christmas party, the calm before the storm on the bucks party, or just a friendly catch-up with mates on a Friday night. If that isn’t enough for you, The Big Swing Golf at Virginia covers a total of 12 sports including soccer, basketball, baseball and even arcade-style games like zombie dodgeball.
X Golf
Enoggera
Say it's raining or in true Brisbane fashion, humid as all hell and beyond the point of even attempting to have fun—X Golf in Enoggera is the solution to all of the above. Open seven days a week, X-Golf provides the ultimate golfing and entertainment experience for players of all levels. The five golfing simulators provide players access to the world’s best digital courses, driving range, practice mode and fun modes like putt putt or mini golf style games. There’s also a licensed sports bar style set up, live sports and games room.
The Golf Bunker
Hamilton
If you're straight up just tired of falling behind your mates on the Sunday arvo golf sesh, it's time for you to head to The Golf Bunker. These guys are open 24/7 and the combo of their impressive technology with the in-depth lessons and fittings means you're about to be the winner every single round. Trackman 4 is used at The Golf Bunker, a technology trusted by the best in the world. It’s data driven, and boasts a patented Optically Enhanced Radar Tracking (OERT) system that ensures unrivalled accuracy. It all connects up to an app as well, so you can out-Strava your mates in golf too.
On the hunt for bucks party ideas? Check out our suggestions right here.
Image credit: Victoria Park