Come rain or shine, golf lovers in Dumfries now have a new way to enjoy the game thanks to Champions Links Golf (CL Golf), a state-of-the-art indoor simulator studio bringing world-famous courses and fun-focused games to the town centre.

Located on Academy Street, the three-bay venue offers something for everyone, from complete beginners to seasoned players chasing a personal best.

CL Golf is the brainchild of local golf enthusiast Ross Murray (pictured above), who was inspired by a lifelong love of the sport and a desire to make it more accessible. After more than two decades working as a store manager in retail, Ross decided to take a new direction for the ‘back nine’ of his career – combining his experience with a genuine passion for the game.

A £15,000 loan from DSL Business Finance through the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme allowed Ross to fit out the space with state-of-the-art technology, soft furnishings and essential equipment.

Unlike traditional simulator setups that focus on club fitting or lessons, CL Golf is all about playing for fun. The cutting-edge Trackman iO system – powered by AI – offers players hyper-realistic graphics, instant feedback on swing data, and the ability to virtually play over 300 of the world’s most iconic courses, including Royal Troon and the Old Course at St Andrews.

For those after a more relaxed way to play, the simulators also feature interactive mini-games like Closest to the Pin and Capture the Flag – ideal for casual players, families, or groups of friends looking for a unique day out.

The studio is open seven days a week, and Ross splits his time between running the business and working part-time in retail. With three simulators, a small retail section stocking essentials like golf balls and gloves, and plans for a café space, CL Golf is designed to offer a comfortable, all-in-one experience for anyone looking to enjoy the game without needing to travel all over the country for a round on the top courses.

Ross said: “There’s nothing quite like the feeling of hitting a great shot, and I wanted to create a space where people could enjoy that – regardless of experience. Whether you’re just getting into the game or have been playing for years, CL Golf is about enjoying it your way.

The simulators are incredibly accurate and give personalised feedback in a relaxed environment, which takes the pressure off. It’s the perfect place to practice what you’ve picked up from YouTube or just come along for a bit of fun.”

Ross’s use of AI puts him ahead of the curve, with new research by Start Up Loans, conducted by YouGov, revealing that just 36% of microbusinesses currently use AI tools, and only a third of smaller business owners have even a basic understanding of the technology.

Ross’s AI powered golf simulators are just one example of the type of innovative businesses the Start Up Loans programme supports in Scotland.

Lindsay Hamilton, Loan Officer at DSL Business Finance, added: “It was a pleasure working with Ross to help him achieve his dream. He is clearly passionate about golf and it’s great that DSL Business Finance have been able to support him to develop this passion into a business that will definitely bring something new and different to the local community.”

New research by Start Up Loans, conducted by YouGov, reveals less than half (46%) of small UK businesses use AI at work. Furthermore, a third (34%) of small business leaders only have a ‘basic understanding’ of AI tools.

On average, only 12% would refer to themselves as ‘expert’ in the technology, when thinking about their proficiency in five core pillars of AI: Generative AI, chatbots and virtual assistants, speech to text and vice versa, text analysis and summary, and AI-powered text editing.

The biggest barriers to further AI adoption were found to be IT security issues (25%) and a lack of appropriate financing possibilities (25%). Slow internet connection (22%) was the third largest barrier.

Louise McCoy, Managing Director, Start Up Loans Products, British Business Bank said: “AI has the potential to transform the way smaller businesses operate, but people running those businesses face a plethora of barriers which need to be overcome if they are to benefit from the technology.

We hope our information, as well as start-up financing, one of the biggest hurdles identified, can help drive more use of AI. By adopting AI responsibly, smaller businesses could unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation, ensuring they remain the driving force of the UK economy.

At a time when many smaller businesses are still getting to grips with AI, it’s great to see Ross embracing the technology and using it to deliver something exciting for his community. The Start Up Loans programme was established to support exactly this kind of ambition.”