Golf gets a makeover as Saudi Arabia goes indoors

New partnership aims to create modern, inclusive golf spaces across the Kingdom

Last updated: July 25, 2025 | 19:04

2 MIN READ

Jared Solomon (left), CEO at Five Iron Golf, and Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi, following the announcement of the strategic partnership.

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Dubai: As Saudi Arabia reimagines its sporting future under Vision 2030, golf is getting a high-tech, urban makeover.

Golf Saudi has joined forces with Five Iron Golf — a global leader in immersive golf experiences — to launch a series of advanced indoor golf venues across the Kingdom. The partnership aims to make golf more accessible, inclusive, and appealing to a wider audience, especially youth and women.

The first venue is set to open in early 2026 on the ground floor of the iconic PIF Tower in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), one of the region’s most prominent business hubs. Spanning 1,500 square metres, the flagship location will feature state-of-the-art simulators, Callaway club fittings, professional coaching, and vibrant hospitality — all in a sleek, urban setting.

Blending technology and entertainment

Founded in New York in 2017, Five Iron Golf has grown rapidly, with over 36 locations across the US and international sites in Dubai, India, Singapore, and Australia. Known for blending technology, instruction, entertainment, and food & beverage, the brand caters to both serious golfers and social players.

The company is backed by strategic investors including Callaway Golf and Enlightened Hospitality Investments, founded by restaurateur Danny Meyer. With more than 60 new venues in development, Five Iron is expanding through a mix of franchising and direct investment.

Year-round participation

Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Five Iron Golf to bring one of the world’s most dynamic and inclusive golf experiences to Saudi Arabia. This reflects our commitment to year-round participation, youth development, and building modern golf infrastructure in line with Vision 2030.”

Five Iron Golf CEO Jared Solomon added: “Five Iron is more than a place to hit balls — it’s a cultural experience. We’re excited to bring that energy to Saudi Arabia and help shape its growing golf ecosystem.”

The partnership plans to expand to other Saudi cities, reinforcing the Kingdom’s status as a rising power in global golf.

A.K.S. SatishSports Editor

From playing on the pitch to analysing it from the press box, Satish has spent over three decades living and breathing sport. A cricketer-turned-journalist, he has covered three Cricket World Cups, the 2025 Champions Trophy, countless IPL seasons, F1 races, horse racing classics, and tennis in Dubai. Cricket is his home ground, but he sees himself as an all-rounder - breaking stories, building pages, going live on podcasts, and interviewing legends across every corner of the sporting world. Satish started on the back pages, and earned his way to the front, now leading the sports team at Gulf News, where he has spent 25 years navigating the fast-evolving game of journalism. Whether it’s a Super-Over thriller or a behind-the-scenes story, he aims to bring insight, energy, and a fan’s heart to every piece. Because like sport, journalism is about showing up, learning every day, and giving it everything.