TAMPA, Fla. – June 18, 2026 – A major transformation is underway at The Downs Golf Practice Facility! An extensive renovation project designed to elevate the guest experience, and further establish the facility as it is one of the GRAA Top 50 Stand Alone Practice Facilities in the nation.
The highlight of the renovation is the addition of Top Tracer Technology, allowing golfers to track ball flight, measure performance, compete in interactive games, and play virtual rounds on some of the world’s most iconic golf courses.
The upgraded facility will also feature a new permanent covered hitting area, and a brand-new bar, creating a unique blend of golf, entertainment, and social interaction.
Since opening in March 2003, the facility has remained committed to delivering an exceptional customer experience. The project stems in part from damage sustained during Hurricane Helene in 2024, which impacted the facility’s mobile canopy structure.
After evaluation, leadership elected to replace the temporary structure with a permanent solution that will more than double previous covered capacity, providing shelter for more than 20 hitting bays.
“The game of golf is rapidly increasing when it comes to technology, and with that, we felt it was time to adapt and to give our customers an additional way to work on their game,” Joey DiPompo, the Director of Golf, mentioned when asked about the driving factor behind this decision. “By adding Top Tracer Technology, we believe it is the perfect combination of practice and entertainment. Top Tracer Technology will give out key information that makes practicing with a purpose a little bit more fun.”
Top Tracer goes beyond enhancing the golf experience – it reinvents it. The facility will now include:
- 10 covered hitting bays featuring Top Tracer Technology
- More than 5,500 square feet of covered hitting area
- A 1,400- square-foot bar and social space
- Rotating food truck offerings
- 12 additional covered mat-only hitting stations
- Putting green renovations
- Continued investment in natural grass quality
- Agronomic improvements in the grass hitting area and in the short game area
The facility will continue to expand its offerings through group events, parties, leagues, camps and clinics – to prioritize customer service excellence.
Vice President and General Manager of Tampa Bay Downs, Peter Berube, believes this will position the facility for continued growth as golf participation remains popular nation-wide.
“Golf has been on the upswing for the last couple of years. We are excited to get it going, it’s a unique opportunity for us as one of the top 50 ranges in the country, and this is adding another feature out there,” Berube expressed.
“We have always been a premium practice facility to work on all aspects of your game, and we felt it was time to add some technology that can be used from not only a practice perspective, but an entertainment feature, as well,” DiPompo said. “Top Tracer Technology is a perfect combination of golf, technology and entertainment. It will not only enhance the experience for current golfers and guests, but will also create a welcoming and approachable pathway for new golfers to be introduced to the game in a fun and friendly way.”
Guests will continue to have the option of purchasing range balls by the bucket, or through range card specials. Top Tracer bays will be available for hourly rental, and will include range balls as part of the booking experience.
Leadership is optimistic the renovations will encourage crossover participation among Tampa Bay Downs’ racing and poker audiences.
“We have mutuel machines [at the golf facility]. I know a lot of golfers that are horse players,” Berube said.
The Downs Golf Practice Facility remains open during construction for guest use, located at 11225 Race Track Rd., Tampa, FL 33626.
