Rochester eatery adds golf simulator to the menu

Magrilla's co-owner Lisa Poulin, herself a golfer, takes a swing using the golf simulator, while a couple of players getting ready for their turn look on. (Rochester Voice photos)

ROCHESTER - Magrilla's just got a little more swingin'.

The Hanson Street restaurant and lounge recently installed a SIMs golf simulator room inside the building, and co-owner Scott Marshall said it is really catching on.

"We're fully booked today," he said on Friday afternoon.

Mind you, the golf simulator is no arcade game. It's the real deal, or as close to it as you can get.

Players strike the ball off a tee using their favorite wood or from a synthetic-grass carpet for irons and putter and aim at the hole like any golf course.

Only the ball doesn't drive down a long fairway. It strikes a large projection screen about 10 feet in front of them as an array of cameras above and behind send signals to a computer program that within seconds spits out everything from club head speed to spin and distance and displays it on the screen.

Two players who were in the midst of a round said the machine was great for keeping the rust off their game.

"With this you can keep your swing all winter," said Ed Peters of Rochester. "Plus you can practice just your chipping or putting if you want."

The cost for use of the golf simulator room is $20 an hour, with a limit of four golfers allowed.

The room is large with a small standup bar to one side where participants can relax with a beverage.

The room also has its own entrance from the street so players don't have to lug their clubs in through the restaurant.

Marshall said the golf simulator room opens an hour before the restaurant at 10 a.m., but guests can still order a beer or screwdriver even when they hit the links early.

Marshall said reservations are required, and folks should call the restaurant to set up their tee time.

Golf lessons and leagues are also available, with trophies handed out at the end of the season.