02-25-2024 Harford Mag - Flipbook - Page 12
H E A LT H Y L I V I N G
BY MARY CAROLE MCCAULEY Harford Magazine
Zach Billings takes swings at X-Golf Bel Air, an indoor golf simulator in the Festival shopping center. PHOTOS BY LLOYD FOX
Hole in one
X-Golf Bel Air makes golf a year-round activity
The weather outside is frightful, with clumps of snow falling at
the rate of about an inch per hour. But at X-Golf in Bel Air, linksmen in short sleeves are working on their swings, as comfortable
as if it were a sunny day in June.
The new franchise opened in November to give golfers a
chance to practice when the calendar and elements don’t cooperate.
“You cannot golf outside when it is cold or snowy or dark,” said
Justin Bongiorno, who co-owns the 5,000-square-foot facility
with golf pro Mike Murphy and pub owner Matt Remsnyder. “But
with indoor golf, you can play year-round.”
The facilities consist of a half-dozen bays with backdrops
showing different courses and obstacles on which golfers can test
their skills. Once customers press a button, out rolls a golf ball
that tees up automatically. Hit the ball hard enough to smack
the screen, and dozens of overhead cameras and sensors provide
feedback on everything from the path of the club, the club face
orientation, the ball speed, backspin and more.
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| Spring 2024 | harfordmagazine.com
Zach Billings, Mike Murphy, and Justin Bongiorno recently opened
X-Golf Bel Air.