Not just your average range (Astley Golf Centre (Astley, Wigan))

Member Name: haydn96

Product:	Astley Golf Centre (Astley, Wigan)
Date:	16/10/08 (421 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Everything

Disadvantages: You cant beat the real thing

Astley Driving Range, Astley, Wigan, Lancashire. Astley Driving range was taken over by Gareth Benson, PGA Golf professional approximately 3 years ago.

Before it was taken over it was becoming rather run down but since only the opposite is true. As soon as Gareth took over he improved the drainage on the range and also the targets. The woodwork was all stained green and brown and the bays were carpeted. Holders for tees were installed and generally the whole place was cleaned up quickly.

Since the initial make over Gareth has improved the standard of range ball being used, installed a coffee, tea and chocolate machine which charges £1 for a cup of lovely coffee, tea or chocolate. Reasonable as I have seen other places charge £2 for a cup of the very same and of the same size. He also provides a small selection of freshly made sandwiches again at a very reasonable price to encourage lunchtime golfers to come to the range to hit a few balls. Bargain rates are available for those taking a bucket of balls and a sandwich. A variety of chocolate, kitkat, mars, twix etc are also available although these are 50p each and also a selection of bottled soft drinks including water, orange, powerade etc.

Gareth provides custom fit club fitting, and frequenly provides demo days whereby you can go and try out a variety of clubs by a particular company, the latest one being a Mizuno demo day. The demo days also provide a means of obtaining a health discount for any clubs purchased on the day of the event.

Gareth has very recently teamed up with Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust to try to encourage anyone aged between 16 and 60 years of age to get active participate in Free Taster sessions with Gareth Benson. These sessions are for anyone whether they are a beginner or want to brush up on forgotten skills. If you are keen to try or want to brush up on your skills all you have to do is pre book at the reception Driving Range, telephone on 01942889436 or call Steve Dixon on 01942404984 to book a place. The taster sessions are being held on the following dates

MONDAY 20TH OCTOBER 3 - 4 PM
THURSDAY 23RD OCTOBER 6 - 7 PM

whilst I recognise that these dates are next week there are many more dates in the future being set. I was just giving an example.

Now more about the range itself. At Astley Golf Centre, there are a comprehensive range of golfing facilities and services. Facilities, include a floodlit covered driving range, with 19 covered bays and 10 outdoor tees.

There is a grass tee and hitting area which allows you to feel the real thing off turf and a newly constructed short game academy incorporating a full USGA spec green with bunkering to practice pitching, chipping and sand play - to enable you to practice the most important area of the game.
Whether you are an established player or new to the game the facilities will cater for any level of player. There is coaching available from Gareth Benson, who is the Director of Golf, Class AA PGA Professional NLP Master Practitioner (Mental Coach) Lancashire County Coach and Coach to International Players & YMG Coach, PGA Custom Club Fitter.

From absolute beginner through to European Tour Players, Gareth a range of experience from over 20 years coaching and working with some of the best coaches in the world of golf.
Gareth's latest instruction series can be found in Europes no.1 golf magazine Today's Golfer, as well as in an interactive series which can be found on the web or the local evening paper.

Tom Marsh is another of the professionals available for your golfing requirements he is PGA Assistant and Director of YMG Junior Coaching, PGA Custom Club Fitter.

He has worked with Gareth for the last six years and plays full time amateur golf, Tom joined the PGA in November last year and has been responsible for taking the YMG junior programme to the No.1 spot in the North West.

Chris Cousins has been a professional golfer since the age of 18. He teaches at Astley Golf Centre and plays PGA North Region Tournaments. He is a PGA registered 3rd Year Assistant, soon to be a fully qualified PGA Professional. He is also a UKCC Level 2 Coach as well as a qualified first aider.

From club hire, repairs and accessories through to the latest computerised video coaching and expert club fitting, Astley Gofl Centre has something that will appeal to every golfer.

Over the coming months Gareth will be doing a scheme whereby you can log into the website and view the video taken of your swing during your lesson.

Astley Driving Range also organises corporate golf days, prices for these are available by phoning the range and vary as they are personailsed to your own needs.

Childrens birthday parties are also available at the range Parties are available on weekday evenings and weekends obviously with prior arrangement. Parties generally last around 90 minutes, however if there is 6 children or less at the party this is reduced to 60 minutes. The maximum age limit for partygoers is 16 years of age and the minimum is 4 years.
There is no limit for how many children attend a party, however there must be a 5:1 ratio between children and adults, meaning there must be 1 adult to every 5 children. This obviously means that some parents or guardians must be present at the party to watch over some of the children. If there is a large number of children present at a party e.g. 20, there are 2 P.G.A. Professionals present to ensure everything runs smoothly

Any children with medical conditions or food allergies would obviously have to make this known at the time of booking. A non-refundable deposit of £30.00 is required at the time of booking, the remainder of the balance can be paid before or on the day of the party.

The price per child is £9.50, golf themed party bag's can be supplied at the party with an additional cost of £2.20 per person, the party bag's include 2 fluorescent ball markers, a putting manual, 5 golf tees and 2 airflow golf balls.

Drinks and refreshments are included in the price of the party. There will be a drink, packet of crisps and a chocolate bar available for each child. The drinks available will be a choice if either still or fizzy. There will be a selection of different crisps and chocolate.

All instructors taking the sessions are CRB checked and have attended safeguarding and protecting children workshops ensuring peace of mind for the parents.

Below you can find a typical lesson
Introduction and safety reminder(10 minutes)
Warm up (5 minutes)
Instruction from P.G.A. Professional (25-30 minutes)
Refreshments (10 minutes)
Skills challenges and games (45 minutes)
Prize Presentation, hand out Party Bag's if these have been ordered (5 minutes)
30 Minutes Coaching
The 30 minutes coaching included in the party will include basic golf teaching.

The childrens parties are generally held outside on the grass tees as there is more space and if the weather permits so it is advisable that appropriate clothing be worn, although if it is raining the party will take place on the covered bays.

There is a small car park available for visitors which is free of charge. A basic summary of the cost of lessons can be found below

30 minute private lesson on range with the
Head Teaching Professional is £24

Teaching Professional £20

Short Game Lesson
1hour

Head Teaching Professional £46

Teaching Professional £38

Individual Junior Tuition
Teaching professional £12

Joint Lesson on Range
1 hour

Head Teaching Professional £46

Teaching Professional £38

Lesson prices cover the cost of balls unlike some golf centres and clubs are available to those who do not have any.

Individual & Joint Learning Programmes
Junior Beginner Group Coaching

4 Week Course - £20.00

13:00 - 14:00.

Adult Beginner Group Coaching

8 Week Course - £59.00 includes free 7 iron

14:00 - 15:00.

Sunday Family Group Open Hour

Adults - £7.50

Children - £5.00

15:00 - 16:00

Family group sessions are also available on a buy one get one free basis.

Balls are often provided on a happy hour rate too where you buy 50 balls and get 50 free.

HAPPY HOUR EVERY WEEK DAY 10:00 - 11:00 AM & 4:30 - 5:30 PM

SUPER SUNDAY HAPPY HOUR 4:30 - 5:30

Buy 50 balls and receive 50 balls free. £2.40 for 50 balls...

Astley Golf Driving Range, Manchester Road
Astley
Manchester
M29 7EJ

01942 889 436

Summary: A fabulous range with all the latest ideas