Thousand Oaks Outdoor Activities

The air pulses with energy inside MB2 Raceway's cavernous facility, where bright-red European go-karts zoom around the winding track at thrilling speeds of up to 45 miles per hour. As the powerful electric engines send thunderous roars bouncing off the walls, a giant projection screen broadcasts racers' lap time, race position, and corporate sponsorships in real time. Meanwhile, off the course friends, families, and party guests engage in friendly competition on the facility's arcade games and pool tables, or celebrate special occasions in its party rooms. The raceway also hosts corporate events combined with special team-building exercises, such as the blindfold challenge, where a blindfolded driver is guided by a teammate via walkie-talkie.

As the inventor of the Swing Thing training aid, PGA professional Dennis Dawson often uses the device during lessons to correct imbalanced swing mechanics and develop consistent, successful swings. Drawing on 35 years of instruction, Dennis focuses on the fundamentals of a fluid swinging motion, particularly the importance of spinal angle, balance, and a follow-through that includes a seamless pirouette. While students hit shots during a lesson, Dennis diagnoses particular maladies responsible for undesirable flight patterns. Students first practice swinging without the ball or a caddy on their shoulders to get a feel for correct mechanics and then repeat the motion until proper form is built into muscle memory.

Within Bogey Bob's Golf Center's indoor studio, golfers improve their skill sets with indoor practice, instruction, and merchandise to pair improved swings with the latest clubs and equipment. Once a decorated player on the junior circuit, resident ace and owner John Cummings imparts hard-won golf wisdom to clients in lessons conducted within the center's indoor driving range, practice green, and rabid-turtle-infested water hazard.

The center boasts video swing-analysis technology, which allows pupil and pedagogue alike to study the science of their swings as computers provide data such as swing tempo, launch angle, distance, and club-head path. With a slew of clubs from the game's top brands, clients can find a much-improved replacement for the rusting short irons and oversize bananas currently populating their golf bags.

GolfTEC has thirteen convenient locations in the Los Angeles area, all staffed by experienced golfing professionals and computers who’ve sworn allegiance to the Three Laws of golfing robotics. Motion sensors and high-speed cameras monitor your swing and break down your form on a high-definition video display. GolfTEC’s PGA specialists point out your flaws, strengths, and coach you on how to permanently improve your game, from tee to green. Sensors chirp with approval when you’ve executed a perfect stroke or cracked an especially witty golfing joke.

The frosty rinks at Iceoplex have supported the arabesques of professional figure skaters and served as the backdrop in feature films. During public skating hours, though, anyone can stop by for a glide on the ice. Visitors can rent hockey or figure skates for the day, hold events in heated party rooms, or play games in the video arcade. Beginning skaters can attend skating school or take hockey lessons.

Unlike an outdoor field, The Perfect Swing's more than 60,000 sq. ft. facility isn't ever affected by bad weather or movie crews shooting yet another inspiring comeback story. The sound of cracking bats and thudding balls fills the training space rain or shine year-round. Baseball and softball players face off against seven automatic pitching machines, which hurl balls at speeds between 35–70 miles per hour, while pitchers work their arms in 17 practice tunnels.

The Perfect Swing also offers four indoor turf fields for year-round baseball, softball, and soccer. Shoppers who are looking to stock up on softball and baseball equipment can visit the on-site store.

Athletes aren't left to swing and throw blindly, though. The Perfect Swing boasts a staff of more than 25 baseball and softball instructors, including many current and former professional players. During private and group instruction, these experts help students hone fundamental skills in areas such as hitting, pitching, catching, fielding, and agility. Instructors also lead outdoor baseball camps during the summer months.