Toronto debuting cheap golf simulators so you can still play in miserable weather

Golf season in Toronto is now in full swing, and residents don't need to let gloomy weather stop them from stomping the green.

The City's five public courses, including Dentonia Park, Don Valley, Humber Valley, Scarlett Woods and Tam O’Shanter, are getting revamped with new programs for seniors, women and youth — including the addition of two new golf simulators at Tam O’Shanter.

The TrackMan 4, the state-of-the-art golf launch monitor the city has installed, uses "advanced radar technology to provide precise data on ball flight and club performance."

The city's booking website claims the simulators offer an “immersive and accurate golfing experience, allowing you to work on your swing, fine-tune your technique, and play world-class courses without worrying about the weather.”

The simulators boast a popular reputation among pros, coaches and fitters thanks to their "accuracy and highest quality data."

To help further bolster the season, the city is also offering free learn-to-golf clinics for juniors, women and seniors, along with free community events, junior summer camps for youth ages seven to 14, and league-play at all five courses — including women's-only leagues.

These initiatives were unveiled by the City as part of their overall new golf course investments.

Golf is on the upswing in Toronto, as the city reported a record-high of approximately 248,000 rounds of golf played in 2024. The city is attributing that to golf's purported “affordability, quality and ease of access from transit.”

One course, Dentonia Park, has direct access from Victoria Park station, and reservations range from $30 to $70 per person, with the simulators costing around $50 per person.

"The City of Toronto's golf courses provide an accessible and affordable way for families and seniors to enjoy the sport," says Deputy Mayor and Vice-Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee Mike Colle in a city press release.

"Our five golf courses provide an ideal opportunity for both beginners as well as a top-tier experience for seasoned golfers. These valuable public assets also offer more than just golf – they are very popular destinations for hiking, dog walking and other unique recreational programming."

Tee-times vary throughout the season and are spaced 10 minutes apart, while reservations can be made up to seven days in advance through the City's Golf the 6ix website and require a credit card to finalize and secure your reservation.

Rentals are available from the pro shops at each clubhouse, with an accessible golf cart available at Humber Valley at no cost to golfers with mobility needs.