New golf entertainment site sets opening date in Charlotte area as competition flares
X-Golf America has picked a site near Charlotte for its virtual golf-themed entertainment venue, and the site will debut in a few months, the company confirmed to the Observer.
It’s the latest entrant in what is an increasingly competitive scene surrounding golf entertainment around Charlotte. For instance, Topgolf is adding a second site and another competitor, Drive Shack, is planning its first Charlotte location.
The X-Golf America site, which will include a restaurant and full-service bar, is set to open in June in York County at 1177 Stonecrest Blvd. in Tega Cay, S.C., about 10 miles from uptown Charlotte. It will share an outdoor common space with Model A Brewing Co., according to the company.
It’s the company’s first Charlotte-area site and part of its plan to open in up to 35 new areas across the country.
X-Golf America is an indoor golf simulator technology that replicates golf shots, including short games and putting, through camera systems, infrared lasers, impact sensors and advanced gaming software. The system performs over 6,000 calculations per second, according to the company.
X-Golf offers virtual golf competitions, leagues and lessons for all skill levels.
Golfers can train out of the elements, new golfers gain confidence for the course, and it’s an entertaining place for hosting business customers and team building, according to the company.
The venue is less than 10,000 square feet. About eight part-time and full-time employees will be hired.
X-Golf began developing simulators in Korea in 2005 and opened its first U.S. location in 2016. The company is now in Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, Colorado and Michigan.
Second Topgolf opening
X-Golf America competitor Topgolf is still working on its second Charlotte location, in the university area on Macfarlane Boulevard, near Ikea off Interstate 85. That site was expected to open in December. However, the company recently told the Observer there is no date set for opening yet.
Topgolf is a multi-level, indoor-outdoor 65,000-square-foot venue where players aim for targets, also includes a restaurant and bar. Topgolf opened its first Charlotte location in June 2017 in Steele Creek at 8024 Savoy Corporate Drive.
The company is based in Dallas, Texas, and has about 60 locations around the world.
Another golf rival
A third golf entertainment company also is headed to Charlotte. Drive Shack, based in New York, has its sights set on opening at 210 Rampart St., according to plans filed with the city. This would be the first Drive Shack location in Charlotte.
Drive Shack announced plans a year ago to launch a new Urban Box concept that includes bars and food with outdoor patios and a focus on miniature golf. The venues will feature multiple nine-hole putting courses that surround a craft cocktail bar.
Drive Shack did not respond for comment.
According to the latest plans submitted by Drive Shack Holdings LLC, the project will be a renovation of an existing building on the west side of the property with an indoor restaurant and recreation facility called “The Puttery.”
Drive Shack, based in New York, plans to operate 60 venues by the end of 2023, including 50 “urban box venues,” like the one proposed in Charlotte, and eight of its core venues, including a 65,000-square-foot facility that opened in 2019 in Raleigh.
This story was originally published March 1, 2021 at 11:22 AM with the headline "New golf entertainment site sets opening date in Charlotte area as competition flares."