The indoor golf and entertainment brand will open an 800-square-metre venue at InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa, extending its Middle East presence through a locally led expansion.
Five Iron Golf is entering Qatar with a new indoor golf and entertainment venue in Doha, scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2027. The location at InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa will mark the brand’s first entry into the country as it continues to expand its international network.
Announced on October 15, 2026, the venue will cover approximately 800 square metres and feature eight TrackMan-powered golf simulators, a full-service sports bar, billiards, electronic darts, shuffleboard and multi-sport simulators. An outdoor terrace and dedicated spaces for corporate events, private functions and group bookings will complement the golf facilities.
The concept will also offer golf lessons, professional club fitting, and equipment and apparel retail. By combining golf technology with hospitality and social entertainment, Five Iron Golf aims to attract experienced golfers, beginners and customers looking for an alternative leisure destination.
“Qatar is an exciting next step for Five Iron as we continue to grow internationally and across the Middle East,” said Mike Doyle, Co-Founder and Chief Golf Officer of Five Iron Golf. He highlighted the brand’s focus on combining opportunities to practise and improve golf skills with social gatherings and entertainment.
Local Partners Support Qatar Entry
The Doha location is being developed by local co-owners John Allan and Christopher Douglas. The partners see an opportunity to complement Qatar’s established golf facilities with an indoor concept that offers greater flexibility for practice, instruction and entertainment.
“There’s already a strong golf culture in Qatar, and we see Five Iron as a natural extension of that,” said Allan, adding that the venue would also appeal to people who do not regularly play golf but want to enjoy its wider entertainment offering.
Five Iron Golf Qatar is working with the Qatar Golf Association and Doha Golf Club to connect with the local golfing community and support participation in the sport.
Christopher Douglas said the aim was to create a destination that customers could incorporate into their everyday routines, from early-morning practice sessions to casual games and evening outings.
The venue will be located within InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa, a hospitality destination featuring hotel accommodation, residences, restaurants, bars and leisure facilities. Its location is intended to serve both hotel guests and Doha residents seeking additional sports and entertainment options.
Franchise Model Supports International Growth
Founded in New York in 2017, Five Iron Golf has built its business around indoor golf simulators, professional instruction, club fitting and hospitality. Its model combines traditional golf services with food and beverages, leagues, social events and corporate entertainment.
The company has expanded through a combination of company-operated venues and international franchise partnerships. Its October 2026 announcement puts its network at more than 50 locations across seven countries.
The integrated model provides multiple potential revenue streams, including simulator bookings, memberships, lessons, equipment sales, food and beverages, and private events. This allows venues to appeal to both regular golfers and customers primarily interested in social entertainment.
Five Iron Golf is backed by Coral Tree Partners, North Castle Partners, Callaway Golf and Danny Meyer’s Enlightened Hospitality Investments. These investors bring experience across hospitality, consumer businesses, fitness and golf, supporting the brand’s wider development strategy.
Although Five Iron Golf has used franchising to expand internationally, the Doha announcement identifies Allan and Douglas as local co-owners without specifying whether their agreement is structured as a franchise. The precise operating arrangement for the Qatar venue has not been publicly detailed.
Extending Its Middle East Footprint
The Qatar entry builds on Five Iron Golf’s presence in Dubai and Riyadh, giving the company another foothold in the Gulf’s leisure and hospitality market.
Indoor golf venues offer an alternative to conventional courses by allowing customers to practise and play simulated rounds throughout the year. Combining these facilities with food, beverages and social activities also creates opportunities to attract corporate groups, private parties and customers who may not otherwise visit a golf venue.
For Five Iron Golf, the Doha opening represents an opportunity to introduce its technology-led concept to a new market while building connections with Qatar’s existing golf community.
The venue at InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2027, marking the brand’s entry into Qatar and adding another location to its growing international network.
