It is said that a lot of business gets done on the golf course. That might well apply to the driving range too.

Around £500,000 of investment has just been injected into the range in Riverside Avenue, Bournemouth, since the facility was taken over by formerly Poole-based Golfcatcher in October.

And the business community is being targeted as part of the centre’s growth plan.

A major part of the investment has been the installation of the Trackman radar system in January.

Operations Manager at Golfcatcher, Jamie Kinvig, said: “It’s always the case that the moment technology goes into a driving range you get a big natural influx of participation.

“This is where the market is now. If you don’t have a system these days you start to fall behind.

“We also have a lot of space here too. We are nearly at 50 bays.”

Trackman is the leading system that picks up all of the data from the moment the ball is hit to when it lands, including speed, height and roll out.

The accuracy of the data is paramount and the 360 system is the largest in the world. It has already attracted a number of elite golfers locally.

There are also six indoor, state of the art, simulator bays also equipped with Trackman and private teaching suites.

Mr Kinvig added : “I think the motivation for Golfcatcher coming here was the untapped potential of a big range that hadn’t had investment for a while.”

He now wants to spread the word to the corporate community as well as leisure golfers.

“We want to let the business world know and our facilities what we are doing here. We have a function room for 100 people, so it’s a great venue for a meeting combined with a bit of golf.”

He said plans for the centre also include growing a number of academies including junior and ladies.

There are around eight professionals on site throughout the week and a VIP members experience has also been set up. A range of lessons are available.

Mr Kinvig has 16 years’ experience in retail with American Golf, the last three as manager. He joined Golfcatcher in January.

He said: “There is something for everything here, families, the businesses world, the serious golfer, beginners.

“Golf has had a boost during Covid and it is now much more social and informal. The game is really thriving at the moment and that is great.”

The golf complex also includes the 18 hole golf course and restaurant, operated separately by Play Golf.

Golfcatcher is open from 7.30am to 10pm every day.