Golf simulator experience Five Iron Golf coming to NuLu. Here's what to expect

A new-to-market indoor golf experience is anticipated to open this spring on Market Street in NuLu.

Five Iron Golf will take over part of the building formerly home to Car Keys Express, which moved out in 2020.

“We thought there’s a demand for a place like Five Iron with indoor golf, food and beverage somewhere near NuLu,” said Peter McCormick, principal of McCormick Construction & Development, which is developing the space at 833 E. Market St. “With all the stuff going on in NuLu, I think it’s going to be a great location.”

Along with co-franchisee, Alex Zega, a real estate agent and golfing enthusiast, McCormick is renovating buildings on the east side of the lot, closest to the corner of East Market and South Campbell streets.

The indoor golf and entertainment company, founded in 2017 in New York City, has since expanded to more than 20 locations including Philadelphia, Seattle, Indianapolis, Chicago, Boston and Atlanta. Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp., which owns Topgolf, has a minority investment in Five Iron Golf.

Five Iron Golf will include 10 golf simulators and a bar and will serve “elevated bar food” with many sharable options, said Danielle Kindelmann, a Five Iron Golf spokeswoman.

She said the company's model strives to be inclusive, accessible to golf novices and fulfilling for seasoned golfers.

“We’re another place to socialize around the sport, introduce people to the sport,” she said, adding that avid golfers can use it to “improve their game or grind on data” with multi-angle cameras that capture swings.

Renovations are underway at the approximately 9,000-square-foot site, which McCormick, the general contractor, said was a great fit because of its open floor plan and ceiling heights.

McCormick is also renovating the western side of the property, 828 E. Market St., for the future home of Story Louisville, which is in the process of moving from its current location at 900 E. Main St.

Currambera LLC, tied to Story Louisville founder Natalia Bishop, bought the 1.1-acre property in May 2023 for $7.75 million from SH Capital Holdings LLC, registered to Car Keys Express CEO Mark Lanwehr, deed records show.

McCormick said the goal is to open ahead of the Kentucky Derby, which in 2024 falls on May 4.

He’s hopeful the business will be a draw for locals, particularly those who work or live in NuLu or downtown, who are looking to have a golf experience without driving to a course or dealing with inclement weather. But he also anticipates tapping into the tourist market.

“It’s for people who are like, ‘OK, we’ve been on three bourbon tours today. What do we do now?’” he said. “Or people who are here for a conference and want to escape that for a few hours.”

Outdoors, two seating areas are planned: a turf patio near the entrance with seating off Market Street as well as a space anchoring the corner. Details on that second area are still being finalized, though McCormick said outdoor games, a small stage, and a beverage service station are in the mix.

“We’re hoping to activate the corner with our two patios in a quintessential Five Iron way,” he said.

Finalized operational days and hours aren’t yet set, but visitors can expect similar operations to the Cincinnati location, which opens daily between 6-8 a.m. and closes between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Growth & development reporter Matthew Glowicki can be reached at [email protected], 502-582-4000 or on Twitter @mattglo.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Golf simulator experience Five Iron Golf eyes spring opening in NuLu