MARK Twain once said: "Golf is a good walk spoiled."*

But I disagree.

After all, this is the same Mark Twain who said: "I would like to live in Manchester. The transition between Manchester and death would be unnoticeable."

Do these sound like the words of someone trustworthy?

No, in fact I'm of the opinion that a walk is best way to spoil a good game of golf.

That's why I'm a fan of a driving range, or better in autumn and winter, a state-of-the-art indoor golf centre.

And tucked on a Timperley commercial estate on Attenbury's Lane, that's just what's on offer at The Aviary.

Now in possession of not one, but two £18,000 Trackman simulators after a total refurbishment, The Aviary is well equipped to elevate even the sloppiest swinger to a scratch player.

These are the same simulators used to hone the swings of some of the best players across the world.

So when I was invited to try them at The Aviary's reopening, it was a chance too good to turn down.

I hung back at the beginning of the reopening, hesitant as I was to get in the way of seasoned players using the simulators to analyse their ball speeds, club rotations and launch angles.

But there was no need for hesitation, because the atmosphere at The Aviary isn't stuffy at all, like it is at some golf courses.

And while these simulators are the best around at analysing all of the above, they're also a lot of fun.

A range of different games are ideal for entertaining a crowd, but the real highlight is the option to play a round on one of 100 or so real-life golf courses.

In the space of a few hours, I played on both Pebble Beach in California and St Andrews in Scotland, all with a glass of champagne.

And by the end of the evening, Becky Brown and Darren Cain, the team in charge of The Aviary, had to drag me from the simulators.

But I'll be back.

The Aviary is open until 10pm from Monday to Saturday, and until 4pm on Sunday.

It also offers coaching from a professional with 20 years of experience and fitting for Orka golf clubs.

For more information, or to book, call 0161 637 0400 or go to The Aviary's website.

*He didn't. But it made for a good introduction, right...?