If you want a more mellow outdoor experience you have to check out the Golf Club at the Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex in New York City -- 'cause they're golfing in the snow!

What a very strange sight to see men, sometimes in suits, sometimes in golf attire, smoking expensive cigars and driving balls into a blizzard of white stuff. I met two guys that drove in from Brooklyn to get their fix. It was 18 degrees outside and under the heated tiers you barely needed a jacket.

One of the guys was really psyched because they sell these great cigars. I investigated the cigar scene and although I am a cigar virgin I learned that having an on site private humidor with four different types of Nat Sherman cigars brought smiles to many faces.

So, this guy was having the time of his life enjoying the occasional puff in between his swings. I have to admit the whole scene made me want to take a lesson or two. You could just swing at balls all day if you wanted, rain or shine, blizzard or whatever, and get rid of all that city stress.

The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers is America's first "super range" (like the ones in Japan). The main attraction is that the balls are transported directly to each tee. As soon as you hit the ball another one magically appears, no bending over to tee up. For the winter season you can get 108 balls for $15, so you can take your time and enjoy watching the balls as they disappear into the snow storm.

The Club offers 52 heated stalls (4-tiers), high tech rental equipment, a good sized synthetic turf putting green, a 200-yard fairway with four target greens, a Jim McLean Golf Academy with video and computerized swing analysis, a 2000 sq. foot golf indoor game improvement area, locker rooms, a Greg Norman/Reebok pro shop, and, believe it or not, spike-proof carpeting. In March they will be opening a 19th hole, the Chelsea Brewing Company, a micro brewery and restaurant right next door featuring an on site bottling and brewing plant.

So, I'm thinkin' deny the winter, play some golf, smoke cigars, and enjoy a beer or two. Total winter denial.

The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers is located on Pier 59 on the Hudson River. For more info call 212-336-6400.

Francois Hyacinth photographer of snowdoggers, Margarett Dykstra photographer of golfers, Jay Strauss photographer of in-line skater.

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