Fore! Urban private members golf club with chic cocktail bar tees off in Manchester city centre

City centre golf club The Range has teed off at its Spinningfields base.

The Range offers the latest in virtual reality with five state-of-the-art golf simulators that allow members and non-members to play 100 of the finest golf courses on the planet.

“The technology is remarkable, and people who come in are going to have to see it all to believe it,” says owner Andrew McLoughney, a former +2 handicap golfer.

The crystal clear high definition simulator uses head measurement technology to collect data direct from the golf ball, giving exceptional levels of accuracy in both smulation and swing analysis.

The sound system is crystal clear too. They endured rigorous sound-checks to

“The 100 virtual courses can be played on the simulators but members and non-members will be able to tailor simulators to their needs,” says Andrew.

“For instance, when I play on them, I tend to choose to play nine holes of my favourite golf courses around the world.”

Blackpool-born Andrew says the past 20 years of his life have prepared him for his first venture into the world of business and hospitality.

He travelled the world playing in the most prestigious golf tournaments on the finest golf courses.  But a promising career as a professional golfer ended when he was involved in a motorbike accident in Vietnam.

“It’s a big and unique project,” said Andrew. “When I was injured, that’s when I became interested in technology and the simulators that a lot of the top players in the world were using to better their own games.”

“But I’m ready for it as I’ve been engrossed in golf since I was 12 years old. My parents are both business owners, as is my brother. So, I suppose now is my time. And it just happens to be that I’m launching a virtual golf club in the UK’s second city.”

The Range also is home to Albatross & Arnold, a bar and lounge where you can enjoy lunch, dinner, after-work drinks and post-golf night caps.

The venue will also host events and golf competitions. And Andrew is keen to get city centre residents and the business community involved.

“We have fantastic in-house PGA coaches who can improve people’s game should people want to learn.”

Leftbank, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3AN