Golf Saudi partners with Five Iron Golf, announces multiple locations in Saudi Arabia

Developed in partnership with Golf Saudi, Five Iron Riyadh features structured programming, including Five Iron’s indoor golf league, along with beginner clinics, women’s programming and junior instruction. Beyond golf, the venue includes a full-service bar and kitchen and flexible event spaces.

Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi & Jared Solomon, Co-Founder and CEO of Five Iron Golf

“I have been deeply impressed by both the pace of development and the scale of the vision for the future of golf in Saudi Arabia,” said Jared Solomon, co-founder and CEO of Five Iron Golf. “What Golf Saudi is building is extraordinarily ambitious, and I believe it represents one of the most exciting growth opportunities in global golf today. We are seeing a fundamental shift in golf, where growth is no longer driven solely by elite competition, but by building the infrastructure and access points that bring more people into the game. Five Iron Riyadh is designed to be a part of that foundation, helping put clubs in people’s hands, creating new pathways into the sport, and supporting long-term participation.”

The Riyadh opening marks the first step in a broader multi-unit partnership between Five Iron Golf and Golf Saudi, with additional locations expected to open.

“Five Iron is an important addition to the golf ecosystem we are building in Saudi Arabia,” said Thomas Rudy, chief investment officer of Golf Saudi. “We are making significant, long-term investments to grow the game at every level, from grassroots participation to elite competition, with a clear focus on building one of the most dynamic and accessible golf ecosystems in the world. That means creating new formats, expanding access, and introducing modern, year-round ways for people to engage with the sport. As we continue to invest in the future of golf across the Kingdom, our focus is not only on developing world-class championship venues, but on building the infrastructure and participation base that will define the next era of the game. Five Iron’s model, combining technology, hospitality, instruction, and community, plays an important role in that vision.”

Founded in New York City in 2017 and backed by North Castle Partners, Callaway Golf, and Danny Meyer’s Enlightened Hospitality Investments, Five Iron Golf has 40 locations across 20 states and 6 countries.

Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media

Instagram

X

Facebook

YouTube

Main Image: Five Iron Golf

The post Five Iron Golf opens first location in Saudi Arabia appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Achieving this requires more than just hosting high-profile tournaments—you have to invest in infrastructure, grassroots programs, and opportunities for new Saudi nationals to learn, compete, and stay engaged with the game. And the Kingdom is very much doing that.

Mark Runnacles / LET

Golf Saudi’s efforts are to integrate the sport into local communities, schools, and youth programs across the country.

Central to participation growth is their “Go Golf” program. The initiative offers 12 free lessons for any Saudi national, introducing beginners to the fundamentals of the game in a structured, supportive environment. Participants will then earn a digital golf passport upon completing the lessons, providing discounts on equipment, memberships, green fees, and even restaurants—all designed to encourage long-term engagement.

Infrastructure growth is just as important. Currently, Saudi Arabia has seven publicly accessible golf courses, but Golf Saudi plans to increase that number to more than 20 within the next five years. Driving ranges will be introduced across all 13 regions, and multi-purpose, Topgolf-style venues are planned for Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Eastern Province. In addition, the partnership with Five Iron Golf will bring cutting-edge indoor golf facilities to Riyadh starting in early 2026, blending simulation technology, hospitality, and instruction to attract beginners, families, and casual players.

Golf Saudi

For example, courses like the new Wadi Safar Golf Course, designed by Greg Norman, combine world-class infrastructure with sustainable operations. These types of venues will serve both professional competitions and community programs, offering golfers a place to learn and grow while also positioning Saudi Arabia as a global golf destination.

High-profile tournaments also play a role in inspiring participation. Events in the past 12 months include LIV Golf Riyadh, the PIF Saudi Ladies International, and the Saudi Open presented by PIF all showcase elite talent while giving Saudis a chance to experience world-class golf firsthand. Attendance figures highlight the growing interest that there is in the Kingdom. More than 72,000 people registered for the 2025 Saudi International, a dramatic increase from just 8,000 the previous year across the four tournament days.

Golf Saudi

The tournaments staged by Golf Saudi are integrated with weighty initiatives like Riyadh Season and entertainment events, combining sport with tourism, hospitality, and business. Showing that golf is a driving economic growth, thanks to partnerships with entities such as the Public Investment Fund and Riyadh Season.

Golf Saudi has focused a vast amount of its time on creating pathways for local talent. Programs for juniors, women, and emerging professionals provide coaching, competitive opportunities, and mentorship from Golf Saudi ambassadors, including both global stars and Saudi Arabian professionals like Othman Almulla, Saud Al Sharif, Faisal Salhab, Khalid Attieh, and Shergo Al Kurdi. This combination of elite access and grassroots development ensures that the sport is inclusive and that talent can be on display at every level.

The Kingdom’s development efforts are also complemented by regional initiatives. The Arab Golf Federation (AGF) launched the Arab Golf Series (AGS), a unified schedule of tournaments across 17 member nations, complete with an official ranking system for amateur and professional players.

Five Iron Golf

This now provides a clear pathway for emerging Arab golfing talent, enabling them to measure themselves against the best in the region and gain international exposure. By participating in AGS events, local players can track progress, earn ranking points, and qualify for higher-level competitions, creating a structured ecosystem that bridges grassroots development and elite performance across the Arab world.

Looking into the crystal ball for 2026, the Kingdom’s strategy is to further nurture and grow the sport through infrastructure, community programs, elite competition, and national initiatives like Go Golf. The combination of world-class venues, strategic partnerships, and structured development programs is designed to ensure that golf is not only played but embraced as part of Saudi Arabia’s cultural and sporting fabric.

Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media

Instagram

X

Facebook

YouTube

Main Image: Golf Saudi

The post Bigger & Better: How Saudi Arabia is expanding golf throughout the Kingdom appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The first Five Iron Golf venue is scheduled to open in Riyadh in Q1 2026. Located on the ground floor of the iconic PIF Tower in the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD)—one of the region’s most advanced business hubs—it is set to become one of the world’s most prominent indoor golf destinations, adding a new dimension to Saudi Arabia’s evolving sports and entertainment landscape.

Spanning approximately 1,500 square meters the venue will combine Five Iron Golf’s signature mix of cutting-edge technology, vibrant hospitality, and immersive design at one of the Kingdom’s most prestigious addresses.

Founded in New York in 2017, Five Iron Golf has grown into a global brand with over 36 locations across 16 U.S. states and five countries—including Dubai, India, Singapore, and Australia.

The company offers tour-level simulators, professional instruction, Callaway club fittings, a global membership program, and full-service hospitality. Backed by strategic investors such as Callaway Golf and Enlightened Hospitality Investments (founded by renowned restaurateur Danny Meyer), Five Iron is rapidly expanding through both corporate development and franchising, with over 60 locations in the pipeline.

Jared Solomon, Co-Founder and CEO of Five Iron Golf & Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi

This partnership aligns with Golf Saudi’s vision to expand golf’s footprint across the Kingdom by introducing modern, accessible venues that appeal to all demographics—particularly youth and women. Together, Golf Saudi and Five Iron aim to deliver a comprehensive, world-class model that blends technology, hospitality, and education to welcome players of all skill levels.

Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi

“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,” said Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi.

“This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to expanding participation, developing youth talent, and building year-round golf infrastructure. Together, we aim to create a vibrant, accessible golf ecosystem across the Kingdom in line with Vision 2030.”

Jared Solomon, Co-Founder and CEO of Five Iron Golf

“We believe Five Iron is more than just a place to hit balls—it’s a cultural experience that has helped shape the modern face of golf,” said Jared Solomon, Co-Founder and CEO of Five Iron Golf.

“We’re excited to bring our brand, energy, and commitment to inclusivity to Saudi Arabia. As the Kingdom builds a vibrant golf ecosystem and inspires a new generation of golfers, we’re proud to be part of this momentum and contribute to its broader success story.”

Golf Saudi and Five Iron Golf plan to expand this innovative model to additional cities in the future, further accelerating the Kingdom’s golf development and reinforcing its regional leadership in the sport.

Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media

Instagram

X

Facebook

YouTube

Images: Five Iron Golf

The post Golf Saudi partners with Five Iron Golf, announces multiple locations in Saudi Arabia appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.