Out of the Sand offers interactive golf experience
Scott Sykes isn’t what you’d call a dedicated golfer. He likes to hit the links with friends, but finding four hours to do it isn’t easy.
At Out of the Sand, which he recently opened with his wife Tanya, he’s able to truncate a full 18-hole round into an hour thanks to the latest in golf technology.
Whether someone is looking to fine-tune his or her game, play a full round or just have some fun with their friends, Sykes’ new business is set up to cater to anyone. He hopes to attract golfers itching to play during the colder months.
“This time of year, they are cooped up in the house on Saturdays and they don’t like it,” he said. “Especially after football, there is nothing going on on the weekends.”
Out of the Sand has three bays with golf simulators, loaded with 40 different courses. One simulator is equipped with several other games that take advantage of the motion-detecting cameras, including football, soccer, soccer golf, baseball and hockey.
An added benefit of playing golf on a simulator is that golfers get instant feedback on their swing, Sykes said. So, if a golfer is struggling with a hook or a slice, the cameras may offer some insight into just what is going wrong.
Sykes said he got the idea for Out of the Sand from a friend who served in Korea with the Marines.
“These are really big over there,” he said. “He got me thinking about it. I woke up one morning and said to my wife, ‘How about we try this?’”
Sykes set up shop in the Midway Shopping Center behind The Roadhouse restaurant. In addition to the simulators, Sykes built a small putting green in the waiting area. He also plans to have Xbox for kids to play.
Cost to play is $30 per half hour or $45 per hour. The price does not change with the number of golfers.
An 18-hole round takes about an hour per player, he said, so a group of four golfers would need about four hours to complete a full round.
People may bring their own food and drinks, but Sykes said he will offer snacks, sodas, waters and other refreshments.
Out of the Sand is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., daily, but times outside regular hours can be reserved. Reservations are encouraged to ensure a spot. For more information, go to outofthesandde.com or call 302-200-9777. Specials and updates can be found on the Out of the Sand Facebook page.
