Golfers may not look for 9-foot screens paired with infrared and sonar sensors when planning outings.

But those elements form the core of a new golf simulation business, Tee Box Golf, which opened in late November in Scio Township.

Golfing in the U.S. • 28.6 million people golfed in 2008. • That number is 3 percent lower than 2007. • 4 million people were first-time golfers in 2008. • The sport “lost “4.9 million golfers from 2007 to 2008. Source: National Golf Foundation

Owner Kevin Kendziora says that thanks to state-of-the-art software, the simulated golf experience is as close to real golf that a sports fan can get.

“You’re inside and not outside,” Kendziora said. “That’s the only difference.”

The four simulators at Tee Box are set up in bays inside the storefront, located at 82 Aprill Dr., south off Jackson Road, west of Wagner.

Golfers - who either bring their own clubs or rent a set onsite - can choose from 31 real-world courses.

The software includes highly detailed renderings of the courses, matching the true geography. Golfers get to choose what kinds of conditions they want to play (like in sun or wind) and the order of play.

Much like a traditional golf course, the simulators accept foursomes and league play - but golfers don’t have to wait for good weather or ask to play through if a group is slow.

Removing the unpredictability of the game adds a different dimension for a golfer, Kendziora said, especially in Michigan winters.

“The demand in Michigan is definitely here,” he said. “Everyone knows golf is huge in Michigan, and we have a very short golf season because of the weather.”

The simulators, he said, are big in climates that mirror this state’s but they’re still relatively rare here.

The simulators use software called “element6,” designed by the Utah-based TruGolf. The company aids golf course developers in designing courses, but spun that off into the recreation products.

Kendziora estimates his startup costs at under $200,000, financed in part by an investor and lender Zion Bank.

Tee Box Golf opened in late November as customers approached Kendziora about trying the equipment, he said. He’s finalizing all installation, expects to have some retail sales onsite eventually, and also will be targeting the golf instruction business.

Even golfers who aren’t there to learn from the two pros who will be offering lessons onsite have the chance to learn more about their games.

“After each shot, a full post-analysis pops up (on the screen),” Kendziora said, detailing elements of the swing and shot.

Kendziora, who started the business after retiring, chose the location in part because of its location near other recreation facilities like Planet Rock and Dexter School of Martial Arts.

That clustering benefits all of the businesses there, since they’re not visible from Jackson, said Dave Hamilton of Swisher Commercial, broker on the deal.

“He has a destination-type business, so you don’t necessarily need a sign off the road,” Hamilton said.

It’s also a new segment for the market, he added.

Kendziora said he hopes to expand Tee Box in the future.

In the meantime, he thinks opening in the winter makes good business sense: “Michigan loves golf and we have terrible weather.”

Paula Gardner is Business Director at AnnArbor.com. Contact her at (734) 623-2586.