He’s played 570+ Trackman courses. Here’s his story.
Dave Voran at GolfTRK - Prairie Village.
He’s played over 570 courses on Trackman. Here’s what he has to say.
Most every golfer has the ability to achieve what David Voran has, but not all of them have the discipline. This October Dave finished up his round on our Trackman and closed the chapter on his journey to play every course offered on the simulator.
That’s over 570 courses, for those wondering.
Even more impressive than simply playing each course, Dave has tracked and analyzed each course he’s played (on the simulator and on green grass). He has favorite courses, memorable holes, and thoughts on every simulator in the game. After all these years, he’s earned the right to opine.
Learn about Dave’s golf journey and how simulators changed the game for him.
GolfTRK: What's your favorite green grass course you've played? Why?
Dave: This is tough to answer as each course has their own character, and it’s not so much one favorite course as there are favorite holes or a set of holes. For example, we were in Ireland and played Royal Portrush and other good courses in the area, including Portstewart and Castlerock. We had dinner at Amici’s and noticed a few holes of a golf course below the restaurant called the Portstewart Town Course. Turns out it is apparently one of the oldest courses in Ireland, and the first few holes of that course were magical (the rest of the course, not so much). I can think of other courses around the country in which a few holes stick out, but I can’t hardly remember the name of the course.
GolfTRK: What's your favorite Trackman course you've played? Why?
Dave: This is even more difficult to answer, but the Reserve at Moonlight Basin and a couple of other mountain courses stand out, along with some of the Par 3 courses, including some of the fictional ones. After over 570 different courses, it’s just hard to select just one.
GolfTRK: You've played 570+ courses on Trackman. How did that start, and do you remember the first course you played?
Dave: It started with Full Swing Golf simulator we put in at Lionsgate in 2020 before we installed Trackman. I have kept a spreadsheet of all of the sim courses, and it looks like it was Mauna Lani Bay – South Full Swing on 1/16/2020. We installed Trackman in 2023, and the first course I played was Craig Ranch on 7/12/2023. That one stands out as I took a 13 on the 9th hole before I realized I needed to change my aim point instead of aiming to the side of the screen. Took 4 drops!
GolfTRK: What's the most memorable or surprising course you've played on the sim? Why?
Dave: I think it would be Devil’s Island. I think the starting hole is one that’s about 250 yards over water. Realized I couldn’t carry it so I laid up to the right, knocked it on the green and then 2 putted for what I thought was par. Nope. It’s a Par 3! Then there are the Phoenix courses in Miyazaki, Japan, designed by Tom Watson. Turns out they are built on a beach front area in a town I lived in in 1954! Long before there were any golf courses anywhere within 100 miles.
GolfTRK: How do you keep track of all the courses you've played? Can you show us the list?
Dave: I have a spreadsheet with all the rounds played since I started in 1994.
Every round Dave has played, plotted on a spreadsheet, since 1994.
GolfTRK: What brought you to GolfTRK in the first place?
Dave: In a couple of words; Sally and Trackman. We have two Trackman Simulator bays at Lionsgate, where Sally was the head pro and the Trackman App enabled us to do so much more than Full Swing and GSPro apps. So, when she came here and was installing Trackman, the dice was cast.
GolfTRK: How would you describe the experience to someone who's never been here?
Dave: Great, spacious practice facility with a better setup than the PGA superstore. The putting and chipping facility set it apart from the others.
GolfTRK: What do you love most about playing here?
Dave: The unlimited memberships, along with the putting and chipping facility, set it apart, along with the hours.
GolfTRK: How often do you come in, and what does a typical practice sesh look like for you?
Dave: My plan is to continue to come to the place when our club is closed (Mondays and with special events in which I’m not participating).
GolfTRK: Has the data changed how you play or practice? Can you share a specific example?
Dave: I can tell you that my club selection has changed dramatically from before simulators were available. Knowing what my average carry distance for each club has made a difference in how I play non-simulator courses. Believe it or not, putting with a 4-foot gimme has cut down on my 3-putts. It's improved my lag putts significantly. My up-and-down percentage has improved considerably.
GolfTRK: Have you noticed a difference in your on-course game?
Dave: Yes. I think playing so many courses (over 800 sim courses) to date has made me a more strategic player, and I’m able to manage a course better. While this may not be reflected in scores, it has reduced the number of frustrating, totally out-of-control shots made during any round. Of course, the other contributor to that is that I try to play all 9 tee boxes on my home course every month. Doing so takes all of the stress when playing a course that’s a thousand yards longer than I should be playing for my age and skill.
GolfTRK: What would you say to someone on the fence about joining GolfTRK?
Dave: Try it out. Play and practice on courses instead of banging the range. Don’t use auto-putt features. Putt yourself.
GolfTRK: Favorite club in your bag?
Dave: Maybe my 7-wood. My least favorite is my 7-iron.
GolfTRK: Best shot you've hit on the sim?
Dave: Had a 386 yard drive at Moonlight Basin on a hole that had more than a 100’ drop in elevation. Nearly drove the green.
GolfTRK: Favorite golfer?
Dave: Jerry Cornelison, 90-year-old ex-Chief who can barely walk and has to use a cane to get to his ball, but shoots his age and has enjoyed moving forward. He’s also taken to playing on the sims.
GolfTRK: Anything else you'd like to add?
Dave: Simulators have come a long way over the last few years, and I look forward to major advances in the near future. The next thing I look forward to is mechanisms that’ll be able to reproduce real course lies. The other thing I’d like to see more of is more interesting, realistic fictional courses or the ability to select your own course composed of the best holes from famous courses. Please, Trackman should work something out with Augusta National!
GolfTRK is honored Dave chose to finish his Trackman gauntlet at our Prairie Village facility. And he’s done...for now! Trackman has begun adding three new virtual courses each month, so he’ll be back soon.
You can keep up with the newest simulator courses, like Dave, at your GolfTRK facility. Check in at the start of each month to see which new greens are available.