Idle Hour Club Learning Center, Macon, GA
Photo courtesy of USGA In 2004 Idle Hour Club, Macon, Georgia updated their practice facility by building a state-of-the-art learning center at the back of their practice range. It includes a member lounge with 3 hitting bays that are equipped with launch monitors, True Temper Shaft Lab, video equipment, several club manufacturers fitting systems and teaching aids.

The learning center features a full service club repair shop completely outfitted with professional grade machines and tools from Mitchell® Golf. Club performance upgrades are done on site to enhance the improvement and enjoyment of the game for Idle Hour members. These upgrades include re-shafting, re-gripping, loft/lie adjustments and retrofitting name brand clubs.

It has recently been reported that golfers are spending as much time practicing as they do playing. Idle Hour Club has been ahead of this trend. This new facility is actually their second learning center building. They demolished their original building and replaced it with this modern learning center to keep up with the demand for lessons, club fittings and practice.

Other clubs around the country are following suit. Learning center buildings have added interest in and sales of golf clubs everywhere they have been built. There may come the day when all golf club sales, inventory, repair and fitting will be conducted in a facility on the range rather than in the traditional pro shop. Golf professionals are starting to see the advantages of conducting these services in a controlled environment on the range. This frees up the golf shop staff for starting times, tournaments and apparel sales.