Patrons Tee Off at House of Beer

Walk into most any bar in the country and you will find a version of Golden Tee, the popular golf video game where players attempt to emulate the pros by spinning a rollerball as hard as they can. 

But at the , they have taken golf simulation to the next level. 

The U.S. 19 tap house recently installed a $45,000, state-of-the-art golf simulator, complete with a 16-foot screen and a high-tech swing analyzer, where players use real clubs and compete on 40 renowned courses without leaving the cozy confines of the bar. 

According to a news release, “Golfers take full swings into the 16-foot screen, which allows them to not only play full rounds of golf on well-known courses but helps them improve their swing by showing ball speed, launch angle, club path, spin and more.” 

Players can sign up for tee times by emailing info@palmharborhob.com, or by coming into the bar. An 18-hole round costs $20 and can last 60-75 minutes per golfer. 

"There's nothing around here like this," HOB co-owner Andy Polce said by phone. "It's a state of the art machine that's accurate and can be used as a teaching tool, but it's also great fun." 

In addition to regular 18-hole rounds, the simulator, which uses the same technology as teaching academies, also allows participants to play miniature golf, practice their swing on the driving range, and compete in contests for long drive, closest to the pin, hole-in-one and putting. 

“It’s close enough to the real thing, similar to a driving range,” Holiday resident and golf enthusiast Chris Monfort said of the new simulator. “It’s a good way to improve your game.” 

While Monfort lives close by and has been coming to the House of Beer for years, his two playing partners, Michael Ward and Rick Neidringhaus, traveled a good distance to test out the machine.

“I usually golf 2-3 times a month, but this is cheaper than the real thing,” said Ward, who lives in Tampa. 

“I don’t get to golf enough, so this is the next best thing,” added Neidringhaus, who drove all the way from Brandon. 

While the trio swung away at the simulator’s screen with their own Taylor Made clubs, the 2012 Masters tournament was playing on the television in the bar, as well as on Ward’s smartphone. 

And what course were the former frat brothers playing? The simulator’s version of Augusta National.

Palm Harbor House of Beer

Address: 34970 U.S. 19 N (Fountains Plaza)

Phone: 727-784-2337

Hours: 2 p.m.-3 a.m. Monday-Friday; noon-3 a.m. Saturday-Sunday