I Don’t Really Like Golf… But I’m Counting Down to Lawton’s New Driving Range

I'm probably about to offend golfers... but I think I've figured something out about myself.

I don't actually like golf.

Well... maybe that's not entirely true.

I've played exactly two rounds of golf in my life, and both of them confirmed what I already suspected. Spending four or five hours chasing a tiny white ball all over creation just isn't my thing.

Of course, it's always fun to flex my scores on people. They can't believe that I don't golf with regularity, and yet I shot a 61 my last time out.

Then again, it all makes sense when I include that disclaimer, "I only played the front nine."

The driving range is a completely different story.

I've spent so much time at driving ranges that I couldn't even fathom how many hours and days it adds up to. It's sort of zen. Give me a bucket of balls, the only club I own, a 5-iron, and an open field and I'm perfectly content.

It's satisfying to absolutely launch a golf ball into the distance without having to chase after it.

No searching through weeds. No wondering where it landed. No keeping score.

It's the best part of the game.

It's been a few years since I've gone, mostly because the driving ranges around here have always felt geared toward serious golfers. Some require costly memberships, and I always feel out of place at the others. Like they're on real courses, and small enough, I get the impression I'm in the way of serious golfers.

That's why I got a little excited when I heard about The Back Nine.

It's a new smart driving range opening this August out east of Lawton.

As you'd expect from the phrase "smart driving range," they track the balls for you, so you don't have to just estimate which distance board you hit closest to. And as a cherry on top, it won't require a premium membership to get your bucket of balls. That's not to say they won't be available, they will be if you want one, but it's not a requirement.

That means people like me can just show up, grab a bucket of balls, and slice across twenty driving bays, much to the chagrin of everyone watching me embarrass myself. I can't wait.

From what I've been able to gather, they'll have 11 bays with Toptracer tech and nine regular driving range bays. I've never used Toptracer before, but the videos on YouTube make it look pretty epic, giving an instant read on distance, accuracy, and a bunch of other stats.

Will I suddenly become obsessed with launch angle and ball speed?

Absolutely not... But it'll be pretty cool to know when I've absolutely crushed one to left field.

The Back Nine says it'll also offer military and senior discounts and will be available for everything from casual practice to group outings and corporate events.

I have a feeling I'll be checking this place out after it opens in August.

Now, with a modern driving range on its way to Lawton... who do I need to talk to about resurrecting some putt-putt mini golf?