Golf simulator Fore! on Fourth opens in Huntingburg

“We like to joke that it’s been a dream for about four weeks,” Amy Williams laughed along with her husband, Derrick, and partners, Tim and Trefin Luker.

The two couples, connected through siblings Trefin and Derrick, have opened a golf simulation business, Fore! on Fourth, in Huntingburg just in time for the U.S. Open and Father’s Day. An opening day that may have been planned, but maybe not since the idea to create the business only coalesced about three months ago, according to the partners.

The idea began as Derrick and Amy, who live on Fourth Street, were looking for a building to invest in. “I wanted to buy one of the buildings on Fourth Street,” he explained. “I love the architecture.”

The retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel saw it as an investment in the community.

Then, his brother-in-law, Tim, mentioned that a golf simulator business could be a good addition to downtown.

“We got into golf a few years ago,” he explained.

They joined the Huntingburg Country Club and, through that membership, saw that there would be some interest in the addition to Fourth Street. It would also add to the tapestry of experiences available in the heart of Huntingburg.

And, drawing on his accounting background, Tim was able to spreadsheet out how they could make it work financially.

Things moved pretty quickly from there, with the men telling their wives about the new business venture and then slowly bringing them around to the realization that they were going to open a new golf simulator business soon.

Though it took about three weeks to lease the location at 314 E. Fourth, Derrick jokes it just took them that long to order the equipment.

The new venture features two golf simulators with access to about 2,525 PGA courses, including courses in Jasper and French Lick.

“There are also fantasy courses,” Trefin said.

You can tee off in Whoville if you are a Dr. Seuss fan or hit a few with the Ewoks watching if Star Wars is your jam.

The simulators also allow you to work on your skills through a testing program that maps out how you made contact with the ball and how the shot could be improved. You can even set it up to accomplish certain skill tests to advance to the next skill level.

Players can set handicaps, customize their bag profiles, and get detailed shot analytics, including clubhead speed and spray charts.

The goal is to provide a great golf experience and atmosphere that invites the community to gather around a fun, easy-effort game. “You can play in air conditioning,” Trefin added, comparing it to walking around a course.

Which is important if you want to introduce the sport to your children or are just a beginner testing it out for the first time. You don’t have to walk around a course and worry about where to get some clubs.

Everyone at every skill level is welcome. It is genuinely inclusive — beginners, juniors, seasoned golfers, and people who just want somewhere to hang out on Fourth Street.

Their first customer was a middle schooler who showed up on his bike with a golf club over his shoulder. A few kids also showed up Thursday to play, along with a babysitter and her two kids.

They are still feeling things out regarding hours of operation and plan to add memberships that include after-hours access in the future. They are currently open every day of the week except Monday.

For now, bays rent for $35 per hour Tuesday through Thursday and $50 per hour on weekends, with the price covering the bay — not the individual — so a group can split the cost. Half-hour sessions are available for $17.50. Reservations can be made online, and loaner clubs are available for those who don’t own a set.

Beer and wine will be available once the liquor license is cleared, but for now the partners encourage guests to bring their own food and drinks from neighboring Fourth Street restaurants and shops. “We’re not really in competition with anybody on Fourth Street,” Trefin said. “Hopefully we can just elevate them.”

For the partners, making money was never really the driving purpose. “At the end of the day, it’s just about having fun,” Derrick said.

And adding value to the community they now call home.

Fore! on Fourth is located at 314 E. Fourth St. in Huntingburg. For hours and reservations, visit https://www.foreon4th.com/ or on Facebook here.