In January, it’s usually too cold for even the most die-hard golfers to hit the links in the Northeast.

Whether you want to keep your game sharp or miss hanging out with your golf buddies, Rick Sparks has a cold-weather option.

He opened The Golf Lounge about a month ago at 41 E. Belvidere St. in Nazareth.

Inside the small, unassuming Nazareth storefront you’ll find a pro-level Foresight golf simulator where you can pretend you’re playing on about 100 different courses, including Pebble Beach. You hit the ball off a tee into a screen, he said.

Sure, a simulator isn’t the same as a real course. But a simulator will tell you your club speed, the spin on your ball, your height, distance and whether you kept the ball on course.

“It’s as accurate as it comes,” Sparks said.

You don’t even have to use the simulator to take advantage of the space. There’s a leather wraparound couch, leather seats and a 14-foot bar with a sink and a Keurig. There’s table shuffleboard, a chess set and five TVs. So you could host your teen’s birthday party, your fantasy football draft or a small business get-together at the lounge whether your guests play golf or not.

A code gives you access to the lounge for the hours you rent. Unlike other simulators, you can control the music, what sports you want to watch and what drinks you want to imbibe.

“This is your own little hang out. It’s really for everybody,” Sparks said.

The Golf Lounge was born out of a desire for Sparks to get his son access to a quality simulator. His son is a freshman member of the Nazareth Area High School golf team with a growing interest and skill for the game.

Sparks makes the lounge available to the high school team. It’s a few blocks from Sparks’ home, so his son doesn’t need a ride to access the simulator.

Word of mouth is spreading. Despite a lack of promotion, bookings are steadily increasing, Sparks said. Patrons can work on their swing while their family and friends kick back and relax, Sparks said.

“This is a great space for everyone to have something to do,” Sparks said.

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Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com.