Five Iron Golf’s UAE franchisee, which operates the flagship Five Iron Dubai, announced that it had successfully closed a growth financing round led by Powerhouse Capital, with participation from former NFL football wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr., recent PGA Tour winner Kurt Kitayama, U.S. pro golfer Alison Lee, and Managing Partner of Sharp Alpha Lloyd Danzig.
The amount of the investment was not disclosed.
The company reported in a media release that the investment “will accelerate the brand’s expansion across the UAE, with a signed lease for a location at Yas Bay Waterfront on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi and a third site at DAMAC Towers by Paramount Hotels & Resorts in Business Bay, Dubai, both of which will open in Q1, 2026.” The group also noted plans to strategically expand into other key markets throughout Asia, Europe and Africa.
The UAE franchise’s first Five Iron Golf location opened in September 2024 at the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina.
The company reported that the new Abu Dhabi venue will be “one of the largest Five Iron locations in the world, occupying just under 24,000 square feet.” It will feature 12 Trackman golf simulators, Callaway Tour Club Fitting and equipment, food and beverage, and a terrace overlooking the waterfront at Yas Bay. The Business Bay Dubai venue will feature five Trackman golf simulators and a sports bar with augmented reality games, catering to the residents of Business Bay and Downtown Dubai.
Matthew Csillag, managing partner of the UAE franchise group, commented: “We’re thrilled to welcome Powerhouse Capital and such an impressive group of investors into the Five Iron UAE family. Their support helps strengthen our mission to bring a world-class, community-driven golf and lifestyle experience to the UAE and beyond. We are excited about our openings at Yas Bay and Business Bay, two anchor locations that reflect the energy, diversity and sophistication of the Emirates. These projects mark just the beginning of our ambitious regional and international expansion plans.”
David Zabinsky, fellow franchise partner, added, “The UAE is fast evolving into the entertainment capital of the world, with a broad and sophisticated landscape of offerings, from sport to leisure, to best-in-class dining, to gaming, and more. Five Iron sits at the intersection of these, offering something for everyone, golfer or not, and we could not be more ecstatic to grow our dynamic concept throughout the Emirates.”
Ian Doody, managing partner at Powerhouse Capital, said, “At Powerhouse, we’re strong believers in location-based entertainment, especially those that combine participatory sports with compelling consumer experiences. Matthew and David have built an exceptional platform and are now expanding the flagship Five Iron Golf venue in the Dubai Marina into a true regional force, capturing the powerful growth tailwinds across the UAE and beyond. We’re excited to support this team as they scale, execute, and deepen connections across sports, media, and entertainment.”
Jared Solomon, co-founder and CEO of Five Iron Golf, added, “The UAE team continues to impress us with their commitment to building the Five Iron brand with the same authenticity and energy that defines Five Iron in the U.S. This team’s capital raise and expansion plans prove that the appetite for accessible, modern golf entertainment is strong in the Middle East. We couldn’t ask for better partners on the ground.”
Five Iron Golf, backed by North Castle Partners, Callaway Golf and Danny Meyer’s Enlightened Hospitality Investments, has over 30 locations across 16 states and 5 countries.
Image courtesy Five Iron Golf
