Golf on the Mall: Keith hits a few balls in the Adelaide City region of South Australia
Rundle Mall in the heart of the city is the location of choice for those requiring some serious retail therapy. From high fashion to fresh flowers - you're sure to find it.
Time it right and the soothing tones of the street performers will even help calm your jaded nerves. But there's something very different happening higher up - seven floors up, in fact, on the roof of the landmark old David Jones building.
That's where you'll find Golf on the Mall. A huge driving range shrouded in netting, it's just the place for golfers ranging from beginners through to pros who want to sharpen up their swing.
Here, city shoppers and workers are just a lift-ride away from that perfect tee-shot. It's the brainchild of Eddie Magee, a self-proclaimed golfing nut who never had enough time to enjoy his favourite sport so he decided to make a living from it.
"Golf in the Mall is so centre," said Eddie. "It's the perfect opportunity for shoppers and people who work in the city to come out in their lunch hour and hit a bucket of balls around."
A former music salesman, Eddie searched the city for a suitable location. He used Google Earth to find this roof on top of the Rundle Mall Plaza on the corner of Rundle Mall and Gawler Place. He then set about enveloping the space in a gigantic net - so the shoppers below in Rundle Mall are safe.
He says workers from surrounding office blocks are still giving in to the lure of lunchtime hit.
"It's a good way to blow the cobwebs out," he said. "It's also gives them a chance to get rid of a bit of built up frustration too."
You can bring your lunch and your own clubs or use a supplied club. "You can use a driver down to a nine iron. We recommend the driver or the three iron or something like that, because that keeps you on the back net."
Age isn't a barrier either - all ages are welcome. Eddie will also give you a few tips along the way.
"I can give people the basics. There are four steps and within half a dozen shots most people can get the ball through the air, hit the back net and that gets the wow factor going..."
Eddie reckons with a little - or a lot of practice even I will - or might improve. He's seen it happen often enough with his regulars who come in two, three, maybe four times a week.
Not to mention the international visitors, like the Japanese businessman who can't believe he can play a bucket of balls in the middle of the city for a fraction of what it costs him at home.
Golf on the Mall is on the roof of Rundle Mall Plaza on the corner of Rundle Mall and Gawler Place. Look for the signs to the lift at the rear of the plaza. It's open seven days a week and a bucket of balls and a club will cost you just $12.50. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
Golf on the Mall
Rundle Mall Plaza rooftop
50 Rundle mall (Cnr Gawler Place)
Ph 0406 997 653Published 27th May 2007
