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In 1990 when the International Maritime Organization prohibited
the dumping of plastic waste into the sea, hitting golf balls
off of cruise ships ended also.
Cruise lines realized they were losing potential customers
to golf resorts by not offering waterborne golf. Technology
came to the rescue in 1997, when a San Diego company called
Full Swing Golf sold its first golf simulator to Princess
Cruises. At the same time, cruise lines have expanded their
stops at actual golf courses, creating itineraries that might
include a different course every day.
The cruise lines have added many golf simulators,
in some cases with two on a ship, as on the 151,200-ton Queen
Mary 2. Full Swing Golf has more than 35 simulators
on the major cruise lines, trailed by several other brands
including DeadSolid Golf of Pittston, Pa., and Optronics
of Salt Lake City.
Using regulation golf balls and clubs, plastic grass,
electronic sensors and a video screen, the golf simulators
combine the feel of playing golf with the visuals of a live
P.G.A. event. After hitting the golf ball into the screen,
players follow a ball’s trajectory as the screen picks
up its flight and shows it landing on the fairway,in the rough,
or on the green. The short game near the hole is just as realistic.
Many cruises add shipboard golf clinics led by P.G.A.
instructors.
With golf simulators you can play St. Andrews, Harbour Town,
Pinehurst, and many other golf courses on the PGA schedule.
The price for cruise golf can be high. The charges on Celebrity
Cruises for lessons and equipment can amount to about $250.
When the golfing goes ashore, transfer charges and greens
fees push the cost to around $500.
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