Is the Driving Range Still Open When It Rains?
Yes. Golf Center of Arlington stays open when it rains. Its 18 covered bays sit under a roof, are heated in cold weather, and open onto the outdoor range, so you hit real shots while staying dry. The range is open rain or shine, year-round, seven days a week; the grass hitting areas depend on conditions.
North Texas weather does not cooperate with practice schedules. It rains sideways in May, bakes in August and throws a cold front at you in January. The answer to "is the range open?" at Golf Center of Arlington, 1301 NE Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, TX 76006, is almost always yes, and this page explains exactly what that means bay by bay. It is one of the guides under our hub on all-weather golf practice with covered bays in DFW.
What does "covered bay" actually mean here?
Precision matters, because "covered" gets used loosely. At Golf Center of Arlington the 18 covered bays are hitting stations under a solid roof, with heating for cold weather, that open directly onto the outdoor range. You stand under cover, the ball flies out into the weather toward one of 12 color-coded target greens, and the Toptracer screen at your bay traces the shot and reports carry, distance, ball speed, launch angle and accuracy. It is not an enclosed building and there is no simulator screen a few feet in front of you; it is a real range with a roof over the hitting line.
Each covered bay also has a Power Tee, which lifts a new ball into place after every swing. On a wet day that means you never bend down onto a damp mat, and on a cold one you keep your hands in your pockets between shots. Beside the covered bays are 28 natural-grass hitting areas, uncovered, which is where weather has a say.
What stays open in each kind of weather?
Here is the practical version, drawn from how the facility describes itself: open day and night, rain or shine, year-round. Where a call-ahead makes sense, we say so.
| Conditions | Covered bays | Grass hitting areas | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light or steady rain | Open, you stay dry under the roof | Depends on conditions | Walk in; take a covered bay |
| Cold front, wind, near-freezing | Open and heated | Depends on conditions | Bring a layer you can swing in |
| Summer heat, 100°F afternoons | Open, out of the direct sun | Open, full sun | Hit early (8 AM self-service) or after dark under the lights |
| Thunderstorm with lightning nearby | Staff pause play for safety until it passes | Paused | Call 817-469-9005 before driving over |
| Night, any season | Open, lit and heated | Open, range is lit | Last bucket sold one hour before closing |
Grass tee availability depends on ground conditions on the day; the covered bays are the reliable option in any weather.
What happens if there is lightning?
A roof keeps rain off, not lightning. Like any outdoor sports facility, Golf Center of Arlington pauses play when lightning is nearby and resumes when it has moved on; staff make that call on site. Texas storms tend to blow through quickly, so a pause is often short, and the bar and snack bar are there while you wait. If radar shows an active storm over Arlington when you are about to leave home, a quick call to 817-469-9005 saves a wasted trip.
- Check the radar, not the forecast. A 60% chance of rain for the day says nothing about the next two hours. Plain rain is fine under cover; only lightning stops play.
- Call if a storm is active. 817-469-9005. Staff can tell you whether play is paused.
- Book a covered bay for groups. If eight or more of you are coming on a wet evening, reserve a Toptracer bay so the group has a dry station waiting.
- Plan the bucket around closing. The last bucket is sold one hour before close, whatever the weather.
Wet forecast? The covered bays are open. Book one for your group or walk in for a bucket.
Book a Range BayHow do the bays handle a North Texas winter?
Heated, under cover, open to the range
The heat in the covered bays is what turns a January session from a chore into a normal evening. You are out of the wind and off the frozen ground, with warmth at the station, but the ball still flies onto the real range and the Toptracer screen still reports every number. Regulars at Golf Center of Arlington practice straight through winter for exactly this reason, and it is why the facility can say it is open year-round without an asterisk.
Practical note: the bays open onto the outdoors, so they are warm rather than sealed. Wear a layer you can swing in and skip the heavy coat. Night sessions are covered in detail in can you hit golf balls at night in Arlington?
Does the weather change the price or the hours?
No. Golf Center of Arlington is open Monday–Saturday 8 AM–11 PM and Sunday 8 AM–10 PM, every day of the year, and bucket pricing is the same rain or shine: 60 balls for $21, 90 for $28, 120 for $35, with members paying $15, $20 and $25. The 30% off special on regular bucket prices runs from 9 AM to 6 PM daily whatever the sky is doing, and the 8 to 9 AM self-service window is member pricing for everyone. Holiday hours can differ; call ahead on a holiday.
Rainy days are often the quietest days on the range, so a wet weekday afternoon with the 30% special is one of the best-value sessions of the week. New guests can also take $10 off a first visit by joining the email and rewards list. For hours, prices and memberships in one place, see plan your visit.
What about the rest of the facility in bad weather?
Covered bays
All 18 stay open in rain and cold. Toptracer games, Virtual Golf and the Power Tee all work as normal.
Short game area
The putting green, chipping green and bunkers are outdoors and free with any bucket; use depends on conditions on the day.
Mini golf
The two 18-hole courses are outdoors. For parties, bad weather means the next available date is offered rather than a washed-out event.
Events
Corporate and group events are weather-proof thanks to the covered bays, and an indoor private event room is available for meetings and check-in.
The bar with more than 50 beers, wine, canned cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks and the snack bar are open regardless of weather. Outside food is allowed; coolers and outside beverages are not.
Is a covered range worth it if you usually play outdoors?
Yes, because the covered bays at Golf Center of Arlington are not a substitute for outdoor practice; they are outdoor practice with a roof. The ball flight, the targets, the wind and the Toptracer data are all real, and the shots you groove in February under cover are the same shots you take to the course in April. Golfers who practice year-round simply have more reps than golfers who wait for good weather, and in North Texas the wait can be long. Golf Center of Arlington, family-owned since 1986 and recognized as a Top 50 U.S. Golf Range, has run its Toptracer driving range on that principle for decades. For the basics of buckets, bays and etiquette before a first wet-weather visit, read how a driving range works; if you are driving in from the north, where to hit balls under cover near Dallas covers the route.
Frequently asked questions
Is Golf Center of Arlington open when it is raining?
Yes. The 18 covered bays are under a roof and open onto the outdoor range, so you hit real shots while staying dry. The facility is open rain or shine, year-round, Monday–Saturday 8 AM–11 PM and Sunday 8 AM–10 PM. The natural-grass hitting areas depend on ground conditions on the day; the covered bays are the reliable choice.
Are the covered bays heated in winter?
Yes. The covered bays at Golf Center of Arlington are heated in cold weather. They sit under a solid roof and open onto the outdoor range, so they are warm rather than sealed; bring a layer you can swing in on the coldest nights. The Power Tee at each bay lifts a fresh ball into place after every swing, so your hands stay warm between shots.
Does the range close for thunderstorms?
Play is paused when lightning is nearby and resumes once it has passed; staff make that call on site for safety. Plain rain does not stop play at the covered bays. If an active storm is over Arlington when you plan to leave, call 817-469-9005 first. Texas storms often move through quickly, and the bar and snack bar are open while you wait.
Is a covered bay the same as an indoor golf simulator?
No. A simulator has you hit into a screen a few feet away and models the flight. A covered bay at Golf Center of Arlington has you hit onto the real outdoor range toward real target greens, with Toptracer cameras tracing the actual shot. You get the roof and the heat, but the ball flight, distance and dispersion are real.
Can I reserve a covered bay on a rainy day?
Individuals do not need a reservation at Golf Center of Arlington; walk in and take an open covered bay. Groups of about eight or more should call 817-469-9005 ahead, and groups of 15 or more should reserve. Booking a Toptracer bay online guarantees a dry station for a group at a set time, which is worth doing on a wet Friday evening.
Is the price different for a covered bay?
No. A bucket costs the same at a covered bay or a grass tee: 60 balls for $21, 90 for $28 or 120 for $35 at regular pricing, with members paying $15, $20 and $25. Regular prices are 30% off from 9 AM to 6 PM daily, and the Toptracer screen, Power Tee and heat come with the bay at no extra charge.
Grab a bay and start swinging
Covered Toptracer bays, grass tees and a free short game area. Walk-ins welcome every day at 1301 NE Green Oaks Blvd.
Golf Center of Arlington · 1301 NE Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, TX 76006 · 817-469-9005 · Open Mon–Sat 8 AM–11 PM, Sun 8 AM–10 PM