A young entrepreneur is looking to bring golfers a unique experience with a state-of-the-art simulator.
Jeevan Benning opened the Golf Gardens in Gravesend after a quick five-week turnaround with the help of his family.
Golf Gardens co-owner Jeevan Benning wants to bring the best possible experience for golfers. Picture: Barry Goodwin
The 19-year-old has stepped into the hospitality industry for the first time with co-partner, Peter Froggatt, by opening the leisure venue at Springhead Enterprise Park.
The unit offers a large private room for customers, which includes the new Golfzon TwoVision NX technology, which is popular in America and Korea, as well as a dartboard, drinks fridge, large screen and tables and chairs.
Speaking about the decision to join the golf world, Jeevan said: “My partner and I in the business had a meeting about a year and a half ago and we wanted to move into the golf simulation business.
“So after about three months, we decided to commit to it and, after a lot of research in the market, we had seen there’s a lot of potential in moving into golf simulation.
“We went to another property on the Medway City Estate and lease terms didn’t really quite work out there so we ended up here, and we committed to the purchase of the simulator.
The 19-year-old got the business up and running within five weeks. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Golfers can experience up to 300 courses on the Golfzon simulator. Picture: Barry Goodwin
“And in about five weeks here, my partner, business partner, my dad and I turned this around, and we’re open now.”
The young Gravesend businessman has building and fencing companies but wanted to try something new and is hoping to attract golfers of all levels.
He believes the Golfzon technology, which has a dual moving floor plate that matches the lie of your shot up to 15 degrees, as well as a bunker, fairway and rough lies, is what makes the site unique.
“On the normal trackers, you’ll just get one green mat, and you just hit whatever,” Jeevan said. “You can also putt out on ours, unlike others, where you’re made to chip. So this technology really gives you the full drive to putt finish.”
Users can choose from more than 200 courses on the Golfzon technology, with regular updates.
Jeevan added: “You get a lot of golf enthusiasts who like technology and you get the golfers who have never seen this before and just want to experience golf simulation for the first time.
Jeevan and his partner chose to set up a golf simulation businesses a year-and-a-half ago. Picture: Barry Goodwin
The simulator has a state-of-the-art moving plate, as well as fairway, bunker, and rough lies to match the course. Picture: Barry Goodwin
“There’s also a lot of younger clients who like trying to learn and get into golf, so hopefully in the future we have a pro or someone teaching them.
“We’ve had a lot of interest from younger clients as well who are getting into golf at a young age.”
Jeevan also says the site is good for corporate events or large groups, explaining that up to six people can play on the simulator, while also offering other activities.
He said: “We do corporate events, birthday parties, so if people are interested, they should get in touch, and we can sort it out.”
At the minute, there are no live sports because a licence is needed but it’s “definitely something we’re working on”, Jeevan added.
Golf Gardens was set up for golfers, corporate events and birthdays or other celebrations. Picture: Barry Goodwin
He continued: “I’m only 19, so it’s been a new and fresh experience, but I’ve got through a lot of it. But there’s obviously a lot more learning to be done in the business industry.
“It’s always a lot more based around the client in this industry and you’ve got to make sure everything’s a lot more aesthetic.
“I think people should definitely come here because of the experience you get, not just from the golf but from the surroundings, how the place is built, how we’ve made it. It is focused on the golf.
“There are loads of other things you can do here – you can have meetings, you can play darts, you can get a drink, or we can set up food.
“But the technology sells itself, there’s no comparison to this technology in the UK and in wider Europe as well.”