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Every season is golf season at Winterland Golf Studio |
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Written by Paul Raymore
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Monday, 25 February 2008 |
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Want to hone your swing this winter to smoke your buddies in the spring? Want to play a round at Pebble Beach or Spyglass for less than $100? Need a new set of clubs custom fitted by a certified golf pro? You can do it all at Winterland Golf Studio in Truckee.
If you’re looking for the happiest golfer in the Sierra Nevada these days, don’t drive out to one of the snow-covered courses in the area and start asking around. Instead, head on down to the new Winterland Golf Studio — located off West River Street in the same complex as Event Masters — and say hello to proprietor Peter Noreika, the proud owner of a new Full Swing Golf simulator.
 Noreika’s simulator — which resembles a small room, with one wall made out of a huge projection TV — is capable of accurately reading the trajectory of any ball hit from the multiple playing surfaces laid out inside and superimposing the ball’s flight onto the simulated course or driving range projected on screen.
And with golf courses such as Bay Hill, Pebble Beach and St. Andrews to choose from, the simulator becomes almost like a teleporter, instantly whisking golfers to many of the world’s most famous courses.
“They get like $500 bucks to play there,” Noreika said of Pebble Beach, “and I can play here for free.”
No wonder Noreika is so fired up.
 But while the chance to “play” some of the world’s top courses without leaving home gets Noreika going, it’s the teaching opportunities afforded by the simulator — which comes equipped for video analysis of a golfer’s swing — that has him truly excited.
“I know I learn visually,” he said. “And this really helps the visual learner.”
Cameras mounted on the side and back of the simulator record a golfer’s swing, allowing for instant visual analysis and feedback on what is going right and wrong on any given swing. And as an added bonus, the software that comes with the simulator can even compare your swing to your favorite PGA touring professional.
Ever wondered why Tiger Woods can out drive you by 100 yards? Now you can watch your swing side-by-side with Tiger’s and see why.
 And then Noreika can give you some instruction to close the gap (at least a little).
“You can actually learn how to play the game in five months in the offseason,” Noreika said of the teaching potential of the simulator.
Of course, experienced golfers can also stay in shape during the offseason, or work on a specific aspect of their game that needs help.
And best of all: There’s no pressure. Nobody else will see your errant drives slice off into the woods, you never have to wait for slower groups to finish up a hole or feel rushed because of a faster-moving group behind you, and you’ll never lose your ball.
 Winterland Golf Studio
10607 West River Street, Suite 1F, Truckee
(530) 587-7853
www.WinterlandGolf.com
Hours of Operation:
Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. six days per week (closed on Tuesdays), or by special arrangement.
Costs:
• Rent the simulator for practice or course play for $50 per hour.
• Take a lesson from Peter Noreika for $50 per half hour.
• Take a one-hour lesson with video analysis of your swing for $90.
• Be sure to ask about locals discount programs.
Uses for the simulator:
• Play a round of golf on a famous course (e.g. Bay Hill, Oakmont, St. Andrews, Torrey Pines, Spyglass, Pebble Beach, and more) with friends, without having to travel.
• Hit the driving range or the putting/chipping area to work on your swing mechanics.
• Perfect your swing with video analysis, and compare your swing to your favorite PGA Tour pro.
• Set up contests with your golfing buddies: closest to the pin, longest drive, etc.
• Host a party.
• Play online against other golfers.
 • Add wind, crowds, difficult greens, etc. to simulate play in an actual PGA tournament.
Peter Noreika’s bio:
• Apprenticed at the Lake Merced Golf Course in San Francisco, where he earned a Class A PGA membership.
• Taught for one year in Japan.
• Met his wife and moved to Florida, where he taught golf at St. Augustine Beach for five years.
• Moved back to Donner Summit area in 2000 and vowed he’d never move again.
• Opened the doors to the Winterland Golf Studio on Feb. 4, 2008.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 26 February 2008 )
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