Photo courtesy of Back Nine Golf.
Improved technology, greater realism, and the ability to play a round of golf in a fraction of the time are helping drive the popularity of golf simulators.
Back Nine Golf, Golf Galaxy, GOLFZON, and X-Golf are among the concepts rapidly expanding across the country to appeal to the nearly 50 million people who participated in the game last year, according to the National Golf Foundation.
Baltimore City resident Justin Martinelli represents the ideal golf simulator customer. He is passionate about golf and improving his game but has limited time between work and raising two young children with his wife. Taking matters in his own hands, Martinelli, together with his sister-in-law Blair Boleyn, is scheduled to open the first Back Nine Golf franchise in Baltimore City early next year, at a site adjacent to M & T Bank Stadium.
“I love golf but am stretched too thin to play regularly on a traditional course, and I am familiar with many people that face similar challenges,” Martinelli said. “The Back Nine Golf technology allows golfers the time to get swings in, receive real-time data that can be used to improve their game, practice no matter what the weather, and choose times that work best for their schedule since it is open 24/7.”
Tom Carolan, Founder/CEO of Elite Golf Studios, Inc. at his Hunt Valley location.
Tom Carolan took a different approach. With limited time to play, he installed a golf simulator in his garage to keep his swing sharp. Seeing the potential appeal of playing a round in under 45 minutes, he is set to open Elite Golf Studios at Hunt Valley Exchange in Baltimore County by the end of this year. The space will feature four private, soundproof bays, equipped with Trackman IO technology, enabling golfers to play at some of the most recognizable and challenging courses in the world.
He chose Hunt Valley Exchange, a mixed-use community developed by St. John Properties, in part because of its proximity to business communities containing executives looking to practice their swing before or after their workday, or during lunch.
Patrick Lipinski opened a Back Nine Golf franchise in Baltimore County last year and, after experiencing immediate success, is now opening another location in Continental Realty Corporation’s Robinson Crossing together with his brother. Similar to the other groups, players will be able to participate in leagues and tournaments, as well as play solo or hit the driving range. “Only a few employees are needed to run the operation, which will keep expenses low,” he said.
Kate Jordan, a Principal with Lee & Associates | Maryland, who represented Martinelli and Boleyn with their lease at 175 West Ostend Street, sees the many virtues of golf simulators. “Similar to pickleball, the popularity of golf simulators picked up speed during the pandemic and quickly found its way into the mainstream,” she said. “Developers are placing them in commercial office buildings and apartment communities as amenities, and they attract both beginners and seasoned golfers. Because they require a minimum amount of space, we expect to see multiple locations opening throughout the region.”
Ten Back Nine Golf franchises are now open or planned for the Central Maryland region. Other locations now operating include Crofton, Eldersburg, Towson, and White Marsh. Sites are scheduled to open soon in Bel Air, Ellicott City, Germantown, and Waldorf.
In this article: Back Nine Golf, Continental Realty Corporation, Lee & Associates | Maryland, St. John Properties.