Golf Sims Set Sail on Cruise Ships

Turns out that golf simulators and cruise ships go together like eggs and bacon. Who knew?

According to the New York Times, cruise ship passengers—especially the corporate ones—are bypassing spa treatments and shuffleboard for the cutting-edge golf simulators, which offer realistic visuals of PGA-level courses, virtual rounds and full-on tutorials. And if you're really lucky, an actual PGA instructor may be on hand to help.

The simulators you'll find on the big cruise lines aren't exactly available at Target. For example, the devices offered by leading golf-simulator maker Full Swing sell for a cool $75,000. However, the digital on-board ranges offer dozens of tutorials and simulated courses, actual balls and clubs, a plastic-grass putting green, and motion detectors that track your swing. Once you strike the ball, you can follow its path on the jumbo projection screen.

Most of the major cruise lines are installing golf simulators on their ships, with a pair of them aboard the elite Queen Mary 2, the Times reports, while some of the cruises supplement the simulated courses with stop-overs at the real thing. Keep in mind, however, that a lot of the corporate travelers who flock to the golf sims are looking to network, so bring your business cards along with your clubs.

Related:
Golf a Hit on Cruise Ships [New York Times]