A new indoor golfing facility has opened in Darwen – and its set to put an end to cold and wet trips to an outdoor course or driving range.

GoGolf, which opened on Sunday, July 27, is a joint venture from Stephen Malone, Owen Leigh, Stephen Hamer, and Oliver Newby. 

Stephen Malone and Stephen Hamer are PGA professional golfers and offer golf coaching at the site, which is based at Eccleshill Business Park in Chanters Way.

The site has six virtual golfing bays, where you can play against other people in the room or across the world. It will be a membership-only site.

The group has been refurbishing the site since May after plans were approved by the council in April,. This was ahead of its grand opening at the end of July.

Owen said: “This has been in the pipeline for quite some time. We were looking at different sites and then this one cropped up and it was the right price and size."

Owen said members are given accurate details about their golfing skills, all from the comfort of the warm indoors.

“I think the nature of golfing has to evolve, especially with the way the weather has been in recent years,” he said.

“[People currently] practice golf on a driving range and not getting any feedback normally in the cold. [Why do that] when you could be in the warm, hitting premium golf balls getting all the data that you could possibly get?”

Owen wants the site, which also includes a co-working space, to become a “community space”.

He said: “It’s aimed at golfers who want to practice their game and the technology involved helps golfers improve their game.

“Golfers can virtually play on golf courses. They can play against each other, people in the bays next to you, or people from around the world.

“Our aim was to create a new indoor golf club. It’s more than a simulator, where people can just rock up and play a few games and forget about it.

“People will be members and we will be running competitions throughout the week. We want to create a community of people who can come together [and play golf].

“We will be running competitions throughout the week. We want to create a community of people who can come together [and play golf].”

Owen said he is excited about the future of the business and has thanked the people of Darwen and beyond for their support.

He said: “The opening has been great and the number of members signed up already has been really good. I am really happy with the progress.

“I want to thank everyone for their support and for signing up already. I can’t wait to welcome more people.

“We will be a membership-only site and there is a capacity – once they’re gone they’re gone. If people want to become a member they will need to act fast.”

Adult memberships start from £66 per month. Memberships can be purchased from the GoGolf website.