The Squamish Valley Golf Club is a local favourite, but what do you do when the infamous Squamish rain just won’t let up or when you want some privacy to brush up on your putting skills before hitting the local course?”
Well, the new Swings Indoor Golf, located on Discovery Way, has you covered.
Swings is the brainchild of native Scotsman turned long-time Squamish resident, Fraser Robertson, who first thought of the business venture last summer, before starting the venue’s construction in February.
Robertson grew up in Fife, Scotland, in the U.K. where he played outdoor golf with his family for years before moving to B.C., and he has continued to play since, observing how the unpredictable Squamish weather can limit many outdoor hobbies and activities for some people.
“I’ve seen golf get busier and busier in Squamish,” Robertson said.
“I felt there was room for another practice facility in town to make [golf] more accommodating and accessible.”
Robertson explained how some people have reached out to him, describing how golf intimidates them, especially when they’re first starting to play.
“You may not want to play in front of a line-up of people, so this is the perfect place to come on your own,” he said.
The venue uses a simulation program called Trackman to enable you to step into the world of virtual reality (VR), and choose any type of scenery you wish; furthermore, you may choose the weather and time of day, which syncs to the pace of your game.
Kids also get a mini putt simulation, alongside other programs such as bowling.
The Squamish Chief engaged in a taster of the simulation at the front part of the venue known as The Croft, where there is a green space for hybrid practice.
The Croft, meaning a small agricultural space in Scotland, has a platform with real golf balls and clubs (bring your own or rent them), also a sloped putting green with flags and holes—or cups, if we’re being technical.
The screen backdrop is for the graphics, and where the simulation also displays your score and the distance of your strokes, calculating, of course, your individual aim and power.
That’s just one part of the venue; the back of the facility consists of more social and historical elements.
The Bothy, named after rustic huts used for community events and refuge by Scottish Highland farmers, is a social lounge area with live televised golf games, and a simulation platform identical to the adjacent The Croft, also a bar for soft drinks and snacks.
The Bothy is also home to Robertson’s merchandise display of apparel and stickers; he has also gathered a collection of books about Scottish golfing history and personal places of interest, as well as some golfing relics.
Robertson showed The Squamish Chief his antique mashie niblicks, dating from the early 20th century, found, of all places, in Fort Langley, and on Cleveland Avenue.
Robertson said they were hand-forged only a few miles or hours from where he grew up in Fife, something he said is rather cathartic for him.
“I kind of wanted to go for timeless, old-school Scottish golf club vibes,” Robertson said, unmistakably referring in part to the textured, green tartan wallpaper in the bathroom.
As for what makes golf such an engaging sport, he said that the game isn’t about perfection, but rather self-competition, whilst balancing out players’ abilities.
The venue’s name—Swings—Robertson said, was inspired by the now closed down Garibaldi Springs golf course, which is now becoming a housing development.
Garibaldi Swings evolved to just Swings, Robertson explained, whilst gesturing to the defunct course’s carved wooden relic in his collection, which he said bears the Indigenous logo for Garibaldi Springs.
“This place will be a sanctuary, available to everyone [with] coaching clinics as a huge part of the goal of this place,” he said, before elaborating on opportunities also for event-based games, and recalling recently hosting Howe Sound High School’s golf team for an end-of-year celebration.
Your time at Swings can be booked on the venue’s website or scanned onsite via a QR code, for 30-minute to three-hour time-slots, with four people maximum per set.
Players receive a confirmation email with a unique access code for the front door, and for unlocking their session; monthly members will receive their first hour for free.
Swings Indoor Golf is located in unit 125 at 39455 Discovery Way, and is available for bookings 24/7.
Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief's Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) Reporter.
This reporting was produced through the LJI, which supports original civic journalism across Canada.
The Squamish Business Beat was developed in response to local demand for more business-focused news. To be considered, please reach out to [email protected].
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