The pandemic has brought the world to a halt, and the business community has been hard hit as it struggles to adapt to frequent lockdowns, the loss of footfall, and the ever-changing government restrictions enacted in the name of public health.
While these unpredictable times have slowed down economic activity and called for some to proceed with caution, these disruptions have also presented new opportunities for growth in certain industries, for instance in the indoor golf technology space.
More bullish and business savvy entrepreneurs who are conscious of the window of opportunity the pandemic has offered, have chosen to pursue business expansion instead. One of these forward-thinking entrepreneurs is the co-founder of Five Iron Golf Singapore, a premier indoor golf and entertainment destination in Singapore. We speak to him about his decision to bring this successful business from America to our shores – in the thick of the pandemic – and learn more about why everyone should pay a visit to Five Iron Golf on our tiny red dot.
Indoor Golfing Simulator – The New Sport in Town
The golf scene is changing. The pandemic has prevented people from going abroad for their golf fix, which has led to an increase in uptake of local golf memberships. More people are also picking up the sport — a mode of entertainment to keep boredom at bay while travel restrictions are still present.
Identifying this pent-up demand from golfing enthusiasts, Five Iron Golf's co-founder and his business partner, Yuka Kasahara, strove to solve this problem with an interesting and novel solution: an entertainment space centered around indoor golf simulation. Other factors such as our densely-packed city and busy lifestyles, along with the changing golfing landscape in Singapore, i.e. the inaccessibility and closing of good golf courses, additionally motivated them to open the first franchise of Five Iron Golf outside the United States.
A Place For Everyone
Located in the center of the Central Business District, Five Iron Golf Singapore is the only venue in town that opens from 7am to midnight, 7 days a week. It’s perfect for those looking to squeeze in some practice swings before work or unwind with friends after a long day. Short on time? No problem, Five Iron Golf Singapore allows you to rent the simulator at half-hour intervals, so you can swing your golf clubs whenever you fancy, rain or shine.
A great place for novice and seasoned golfers, young (they provide childrens’ golf clubs!) and old, to play to your heart's content, Five Iron Golf Singapore’s large simulator bays are suitable for both left- and right-handers. Its expansive 7,000 sq ft entertainment space makes it suitable for corporate team-building and client entertainment, a prized offering considering its central location surrounded by the biggest corporate brands in the vicinity.
“We’ve got capacity for 120 people here and even have plans to bring in a couple of games like foosball and shuffleboard. We look forward to the eventual easing of restrictions, and hope they will make a material difference to our business,” said Kasahara.
This inclusive entertainment space also notably seeks to turn the notion that golf is a gentleman’s sport on its head. Introducing a female-friendly event, “Ladies Night”, they drive home the message that Five Iron Golf Singapore is for everyone. For those looking to putt for the very first time, rest assured they have professional golfing instructors on-site to provide necessary guidance.
A Commitment to Delivering Quality Experiences
Those who want real-time actionable data and instant video analysis on how to improve quickly may be happy to learn about the state-of-the-art golfing technology Five Iron Golf utilizes. The only golf simulator in Singapore to feature TrackMan simulators — the gold standard in terms of launch monitors used by 95% of the top 100 professionals — Five Iron Golf Singapore uses top-of-the-line equipment, coupled with impressive cinema-quality projectors and high quality clubs and golf balls.
Evidence of their dedication to quality can also be seen in its full bar coupled with delectable food offerings. Their menu showcases an extensive selection of beer from Rye & Pint on tap, along with clubhouse classics, such as the Chicken Quesadillas, Pulled Pork, and Buttermilk Chicken Sliders. The co-founder shared that the in-house chef actually put a competition dish, a local twist on a classic — beef cheek rendang sliders — on the menu as well, and it’s clear the food here is not simply an afterthought.
“Our goal is to become the leading golf destination in the city and to grow the game for the next generation.” - Yuka Kasahara
With its wide array of great food and drinks paired with an immersive indoor golfing experience, this entertainment venue is evidently more than just a physical space. A great place to practice, play, and socialize, it is an inclusive avenue for everyone to come together and have fun. The (indoor) sun shines brightly on this burgeoning business, are you curious about what Five Iron Golf has in store?
