Seven Things You Should Know About Five Iron Golf in Baltimore

1. It’s Bigger Than You Expect

When I walked into Five Iron Golf, I was expecting maybe two simulators. I don’t know why, but that’s just what I pictured in my head. Instead, when I walked through the door, the place was much bigger than I expected. I look around and count nine screens throughout the entire place. The whole place had a sleek, modern design. It felt super clean and well put together, not just some random golf setup in the back of a bar.

2. The Simulator Shows No Mercy

You have to reserve a simulator in advance, and once you check in, the workers bring you over and show you how everything works. They were all really nice, which was helpful because this simulator will not go easy on you. If you hit into the rough, you’re actually playing out of the rough. If you hit it into the trees, best of luck to you to find the fairway again. At one point, we were just throwing golf balls at the screen, hoping to escape what felt like an endless maze of trees.

3. It’s a Full Experience, Not Just Golf

I went with my friend Rose, Sophie, and her boyfriend Tony. The setup of each individual simulator made it a whole experience. Behind the simulator, there was a couch and ottoman table so we could hang out and take turns playing. And the coolest part? You can order food and drinks straight from the golf screen, and the service was quick and easy.

4. The Ball Does What It Wants (And So Does the Tee)

At one point, Tony swung with all of his might, and the ball catapulted straight up into the air. It essentially went into the raptors and never came back. RIP that golf ball…we were then down 2. We all burst out laughingI was too busy laughing to realize that the entire tee from the turf had launched behind me. Just vanished. The simulator really does pick up on every little movement, which means when you mess up, there’s no hiding it.

5. You Probably Won’t Finish a Full Round

Depending on your skill level (and how often you end up in the trees), you may not get through a full round. We made it through about three holes before our time was up. But honestly, it didn’t really matter. It was fun, whether we were playing seriously or just making fun of ourselves.

6. There’s More to Do Than Just Golf

When your time is up, you don’t have to head out right away. There’s a ping-pong table right behind the bar, and if you go upstairs, there are pool tables too. I didn’t make it up there this time, but I definitely will next time. The whole place just has a fun, easygoing vibe, and it’s definitely a younger crowd. There were couples on dates, groups of friends, and people who were just really into sports in general. What was cool, though, was the mix of people. Some clearly knew what they were doing, and others were just there to have a good time. Baltimore is such a mix of different people, and you could really see that here. You have the golf pros, the complete beginners, and everyone in between all in the same space. It makes it feel way more inviting, no matter your skill level or if you have ever even touched a golf club before.

7. Good Location

Five Iron is right in Harbor East, which makes it an easy place to go before or after doing something else. You can venture to other bars, have dinner before or after. It's in walking distance to so many spots! We finished up and walked over to Little Italy to grab food, which was the perfect way to end the night. It’s cool seeing how popular this place is and how it fits into the sports-loving culture of Baltimore.

Final Thoughts

Five Iron opened in late 2019, and pricing varies depending on time and group size. But overall, it’s definitely worth checking out. It opened up with the mission of bringing the game of golf to light in a more inclusive way. They began in 2017 with one location on Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District of New York. It has only grown from there scaling up to 20 locations across ten major U.S. cities. It is great for serious golfers all the way to a first timer. There are lesson options, leagues, and in-house club fitting services. Whether you actually know what you’re doing or you’re just there to have fun, it’s a great place to hang out. I’ll definitely be back, and next time, I’ll be sure to make use of the upstairs pool table and shuffleboard as well.