By Vinnie Manginelli, PGA
Nestled on Man O’ War Boulevard in Lexington, Kentucky, Man O’ War Golf caters to golfers of all levels—from total beginners to aspiring pros. With top-tier amenities, expert instruction, junior programs, club-fitting services and a supportive community, it’s more than just a driving range—it’s a destination for enjoyment and growth. In fact, the staff at this esteemed facility places a great focus on the customer experience. They see every interaction as an occasion to make someone feel welcome, valued and supported in his or her unique golf journey.
Brad Bachand, a four-time Kentucky PGA Section Special Awards winner, is the PGA of America Director of Golf and Instruction at Man O’ War Golf and has been at the facility since it was founded by a small group of horse industry professionals 32 years ago.
As the Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) awards currently stand, Man O’ War Golf is a 13-time GRAA Top 50 Stand-Alone Facility. However, with the GRAA awards dating back to the GRAA’s previous ownership, Man O’ War Golf’s awards recognition dates back as well.
Man O’ War Golf has a full grass teeing area that can support 90 golfers, and 63 mat stations—13 covered and heated—that they use predominantly during the winter months when the grass area is closed. The body of the range has ample targets that include yardage markers, flags, bunkers and even built-up greens.
“We have a large putting green,” Bachand says, “that is about 12,000 square feet, as well as a smaller second practice green. In addition, we have two short game areas—one for members and one for public golfers. These practice amenities have bunkers, fairway approaches and rough, enabling golfers to hit just about any shot within 30 yards.”
Man O’ War Golf has programming to meet any golfer’s needs. With six PGA of America Members and one PGA Associate on staff, they offer one-on-one lessons, adult mixed and ladies clinics and winter sessions in their on-site indoor hitting facility. Bachand and his team offer four-week adult programs that include 90-minute sessions every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from April to October. Through relationship-based coaching, Man O’ War’s game improvement coaching is rooted in more than technical expertise; it is about building lasting, personal connections with their students.
With more than 125 kids and teens involved, junior golf is a big deal at Man O’ War. Its programming calendar includes beginning junior clinics every weekday after school, 90-minute elite junior sessions twice a week and a spring, summer and fall PGA Jr. League program.
Extensive club fitting services ensure their golfers are using properly fit equipment that ideally maximizes their abilities while they’re working on improving those skills through private lessons or group instruction. These fitting services are conducted using ball-flight monitors and demo clubs from all major manufacturers. In fact, Man O’ War Golf earned Golf Digest’s Top 50 Club Fitter Award eight years in a row! With a full-service golf shop, they carry apparel, outerwear and golf bags that don the facility’s very popular logo, and they do a brisk hard goods business thanks to those many custom club fittings.
Man O’ War has 150 members (80-90 full-time) who enjoy various extras like:
- Unlimited range balls
- Member’s-only hitting/short game areas
- Four individual golf lessons
- Four member-practices per month (Apr.-Oct.)
- Club fitting and evaluation
- TPI golf fitness evaluation
- Unlimited use of all practice areas
- Discounts in the golf shop
Event-wise, Man O’ War Golf hosts Drive, Chip & Putt qualifiers, PGA HOPE clinics for veterans, youth physical education classes and demo/fitting days with top vendors. There’s a diverse clientele that calls Man O’ War Golf home, with golfers of all skill levels frequenting the facility and local high school and college teams using the range for their dedicated practice sessions.
As you can see, there’s a greater purpose to what they do at Man O’ War Golf. Every day, they’re using golf as a means to serve others and build lives. This broader mission, to give back and help people through the game of golf, is what energizes them and surely inspires their customers at the same time.
For more information on Man O’ War Golf, log on to its website today!
