Ultimate Driving Ranges

The perfect golf swing, the perfectly struck shot. It's one of the greatest feelings in sports: the sound of clean contact, that silky smooth impact that travels through your fingers and into your soul. Now, achieving that kind of zen-like skill takes a lot of practice. But why can't the practice can't be almost as much fun as the game? Why put in your range time at some dusty, run-down practice tee? Check out these ranges and enjoy the ultimate in technology, service and style while you groove the perfect swing.

St. Andrews Practice Centre, St. Andrews, Scotland
Could there be a better spot to work on your game than the birthplace of the sport? The history and tradition alone could add 30 yards to your drive. Along with unmatched instructors, the practice complex at St. Andrews has 60 indoor and outdoor hitting bays and a 400-yard landing area - good luck outgrowing this range. There is also a dedicated short game area with a replica of the Road Bunker and a spectacular green that used to be the 2nd hole of the Eden Course.
http://www.standrews.org.uk/golf/practice_centre/index.html

Jack Nicklaus Golf Center Ohmori, Tokyo, Japan
Because of their severely limited real estate, Japanese golfers have become masters of packing incredible facilities into tiny spaces. And as golf has continued to grow in popularity, the "golf center" has emerged as a way to allow players in cramped urban areas like Tokyo to enjoy the game. Clubs like the Jack Nicklaus Golf Center aren't just places for Tokyo golfers to practice on a day when they can't get out to their course; for many, there is no home course and these centers are where the game is played. But make no mistake; this is no simple token-for-a-bucket range. The 60 fully automated hitting bays, bunker practice area and putting green are only the beginning. There is a full clubhouse and equipment workshop, restaurant and lounges, and a full fitness center as well. This is truly a complete golf experience in the heart of Tokyo's urban jungle.
http://www.jngolfcenter-ohmori.com/english/facility/index.html

TopGolf, Dallas, TX
Who says the range can't be a golf game in itself? That's the premise behind TopGolf, where microchips embedded in the range balls allow users to compete in several different games based on accuracy and scoring. It's almost as if Old Tom Morris had gazed out onto the lawns of St. Andrews and envisioned a giant game of Pop-a-shot. TopGolf features a full 250-yard range with 72 covered, all-weather "suites" where up to 5 players can compete as a group. There is also a full pro shop, restaurant and bar along with various other entertainment options including putt-putt and batting cages. TopGolf is a fun departure from the regular old range, and it allows established players and newbies alike to enjoy a taste of the game.
http://topgolfusa.com/locations/dallas/

Golf Course at Ananda, Uttaranchal, India
Sometimes it isn't the driving range itself that makes the experience - case in point, the Ananda Spa Golf Range. The range is small and basic, and in fact the attached course is only six par-3 holes. But then consider that your perspective isn't the parking lot of your local facility, but instead the soaring peaks of the Himalayas. It's a vantage point that only a lucky few adventurers get to enjoy in their lifetimes, so throwing in a golf experience is just the cherry on top. Plus, don't forget the added distance you get at altitude.
http://www.anandaspa.com/activity/index.asp

The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers, New York, NY
Chelsea Piers is a sprawling all-sports facility on the banks of the Hudson River, and its Golf Club is one of its crown jewels. In addition to its 4-story, fully automated, all-weather hitting decks that look out over the water, the Golf Club boasts a 2,000 square foot indoor training center with swing simulators, classroom space, and an excellent staff of professional instructors. An attached pro shop, locker rooms, and restaurant/brew pub are available as well. And while the facilities themselves are world-class, the experience of lining up your shot while you enjoy a sunset over the river, all in the middle of the metropolis of Manhattan, is simultaneously surreal and breathtaking.
http://www.chelseapiers.com/gc01.htm

With options like these for your range sessions, you'll forget that it's practice. And when you're chomping at the bit to get onto the practice range, you won't be able to help but elevate your game to new heights before you realize it.