Whether you’re a seasoned pro, or looking to learn the game, golfers of all experience backgrounds are welcomed to play at Sayville’s newest golfing experience.
Back Nine Golf, an indoor golf-simulator venue, opened last week at 5640 Sunrise Highway in Sayville. The Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by elected officials, business leaders, and golf members.
The indoor-golf venue acts like a “golf gym,” with members having 24/7 access to the facility to play full rounds or game modes including golf tic-tac-toe or battleship. Non-members can also sign up for individual tee-times.
“We are so happy to have Back Nine as a new chamber member,” said Eileen Tyznar, past president and administrator of the Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce. “With everyone always on the go and running here and there, it is so nice to have a place that you can have a membership that’s 24/7.”
Back Nine Golf store owner John Bivona said he hopes his venue provides a space to build community amongst local golfers of any experience level.
“I wanted to create a place that new golfers could feel comfortable and learn how to play golf,” Bivona said. “Also, a place that catered toward golfers who wanted to improve their game. They already know how to play golf. They want to get better.”
The indoor-golfing venue features four golfing bays, where those teed up can hit the ball just as they would on a standard outdoor course. A Full Swing-branded simulator detects the speed and direction the ball travels, making for realistic rounds while showing a player’s statistics. Other game modes like tic-tac-toe can help train golfers in creative ways.
Comfortable couches, television screens, and paintings of famous golf courses like Shinnecock Hills in the golfing bays provide a welcoming and approachable country club environment, those trying out the venue on opening day said.
“It’s beautiful, very well put together; it feels like a golf lounge,” said guest Steve Hendrickson, who describes himself as a “low-handicap player.”
Hendrickson said he tried similar indoor-golf venues before, but that Back Nine Golf in Sayville was different in its layout, which feels more inviting and includes high ceilings that allow for golfers to swing like they’re on a real course.
The early reviews were encouraging for owner Bivona, an avid golfer himself, to hear. Becoming a Back Nine Golf franchise owner was a pivot for Bivona, who previously made a career at a technology company remotely.
For years Bivona, who with his wife Caroline raised two sons in Sayville, said he dreamed about creating a space like the golfing venue he just opened up, and that seeing crowds of members fill the place and enjoying themselves on opening day was a humbling experience. Bivona soft-launched Back Nine Golf in Sayville a few weeks prior, bringing some new members and guests who booked individual tee times.
“Now the members are finding other golfers from the community who they may not have ever met on the golf course, and now they’re building relationships,” Bivona said. “And maybe that will parlay into, ‘Hey, I have a [group] next Sunday, you want to come play with me?’ Seeing that happen makes me happy.”
As community grows at Back Nine Golf, Bivona said he’s looking forward to expanding community offerings, like creating leagues and hosting other sports watch parties.
Back Nine Golf in Sayville is the Utah-based franchise’s fifth and easternmost location on Long Island.
Bivona said once he’s ready, he plans on including his franchise in tournaments against other Back Nine Golf franchises across the country. Participating golfers can compete at the Sayville venue against competitors located anywhere in the country at any time of day.
“I want to put Sayville, N.Y., on the map and give them a good run for their money,” Bivona said.
To learn more about Back Nine Golf in Sayville, visit thebackninegolf.com.
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