Now Open: GolfCave Brings Pebble Beach to Clark

Bring on the cold, the rain, the snow, the dead of winter or even those too-hot July days: Any day is the perfect day to play golf when you're inside Clark's new GolfCave.

High-tech golf simulators host beginners and pros alike at this new family-owned business venture, which opened in the Clarkton Shopping Center in December.

"Combine a bunch of geeks with a couple golfers and you get GolfCave," explains GolfCave's Sherry Varian. "My brother Dave Wechsler is a computer engineer and started to get into golf a few years ago. He came up with the idea of looking into what happens when you integrate technology – something he knows and loves – with golf – something he was beginning to understand and fall in love with. Melding the two together became this perfect marriage." Joining Sherry and Dave in the biz is Dave's daughter, Lee and wife, Amy; they are all Clark natives.

Here's how it works: Book either of the two "caves" by the hour, come solo or grab some friends, step in and pick your course. Take a swing in front of the 18-foot-wide surround screen, and a computer provides data on 15 different metrics to help you improve your game, including ball speed, ball spin, club speed and carry. (See how it's done in our video, right.) Varian says it takes the average golfer 45 minutes to an hour to play one course, and recommends booking two hours if you're coming with friends.

"For beginners, it's great because it's private," says Varian. "You don't have to worry about your ball veering off or being embarrassed. And for experienced players, it's a great way to improve because the simulators provide so much feedback. We had a guy here who he came back last week and was ecstatic; he was outside playing for the first time this year and took five strokes off his game because he was inside all winter playing here at GolfCave."

The caves also feature a bar area with a mini fridge, plush leather recliners and flatscreen TVs. And it's not just any course golfers can play, it's some of the best – Pebble Beach, Torrey Pines, Bethpage Black and Kiawah Island among them.

"The technology comes from a Canadian company called HD Golf and they are the most renowned for this," says Varian. "They've taken thousands of high-def photos of these world-class courses and combined them with video and 3D modeling. Each course uses about 10,000 images. You can even hear the birds chirping and fans cheering, but it's not like playing a video game, it's as close as you can get to being on the actual course. Plus, no need for a plane ticket - they're right in your own backyard."

Varian says GolfCave caters to all experience levels and even offers lessons.

"What's great is that all different experience levels can play together, because it doesn't slow the pace of play," says Varian. "There's no problem with someone being slower or faster. Also, for seniors, there's no walking and getting in and out of the cart - it's less exertion on the body."

GolfCave is also happy to host parties, corporate events and more. Outside of the caves is a putting green and what Varian calls the "clubhouse" area with seating and free WiFi.

"We've had people come in on their lunch breaks," says Varian. "It's fun for everything from a bachelor party to a family night out. And the response has been really positive. Most people can't believe how realistic it is and everyone wants one in their house."

But the most important thing, according to Varian, is it’s just fun.

"There's such an energy and a vibrancy when people come out of the caves, and I love the 'Woah, this is cool' response that happens when they walk in," she says. "And from the serious golfer to the beginner golfer, to the senior golfer and the junior golfer – everyone can benefit."

GolfCave, 1 Clarkton Drive in the Clarkton Shopping Center (the former Mary's Hallmark space), 732-382-CAVE (2283), golf-cave.com.

Pricing: $25 per hour intro rate. Memberships coming soon. Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome.

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Golf Cave also offers tournaments, lessons and free clinics. For info on spring clinics, see the PDF in our gallery, right.