X-Golf offers simulated courses, lessons and brews

by Noell Wolfgram Evans

Many golfers dream of playing a round at St. Andrews in Scotland, the “birthplace of golf.” Now they can. In Fairlawn.

Golfers can play a simulated round at St. Andrews, Pebble Beach and dozens of other world-class courses at the newly-opened X-Golf on Springside Drive in Fairlawn.

X-Golf bills itself as: “The most innovative and accurate golf simulator experience in the world.” But this isn’t a virtual reality game where players strap on a headset and swing an imaginary club through the air. X-Golf Fairlawn offers a more realistic golfing experience where “It’s always 70 degrees and the beverages are always close,” said Ron Salerno, X-Golf Fairlawn owner.

Players use their own clubs (or rent a set) and an actual ball to play a course projected on a large screen. When you hit the ball, a series of sensors and cameras track the mechanics of your swing and plot the distance of your shot. On the screen, you can watch the path of your ball and then plot your next shot accordingly.

“Our technology is the best around,” Salerno said. “It allows us to capture a golf swing from all angles. It’s particularly effective with the short game.”

Salerno, who also owns an X-Golf location in Broadview Heights, said, “I always thought that Fairlawn would be a great location for X-Golf. So when this space became available I had to take it. It’s a great area, a beautiful location and easy to get to, right off of the highway.”

This is the fourth X-Golf location in Northeast Ohio and the ninth in the state.

“Maybe you’re a beginner, just looking for something new to do, or a long-time player who hates going outside and playing a five-hour round in … uncertain weather. You can come here and play 18 holes in around an hour,” Salerno said.

X-Golf Fairlawn has eight simulators, each with over 50 of the world’s best courses available for play. There are even designated kids courses like “Pirates Cove,” which ups the intensity of a water hazard by including sharks.

What makes this fun, said Salerno, is that “You’ll play where the pros play at the same time. If there’s a tournament happening, you can call that course up and play a round as if you were right alongside them.”

As you might expect, competition is part of the fun. “We have local leagues, or people can join national X-Golf tournaments,” Salerno said. “Plus there are lots of smaller, quick, fast-moving events.”

If you want to improve your game, you can book a lesson with the onsite pro. Willie Yacknow brings years of experience from Firestone Country Club and Seven Oaks Country Club to his role as X-Golf Fairlawn instructor.

Salerno suggested that every player download the X-Golf app. “Before you start a round you can scan in the course with your app,” he said. “It keeps track of all of your statistical information and it tracks your performance. If you visit any other X-Golf location you’ll have all of that with you.”

X-Golf Fairlawn has a menu of pizza, appetizers and snacks like nachos and hot pretzels.”We also offer bourbon and lots of locally brewed beers on tap,” Salerno said.

In addition to helping with your mechanics, staff can help with equipment upkeep with re-gripping and custom club-fitting services.

“People of every ability come in and everybody leaves with a smile on their face,” Salerno said. “I’ve seen some really bad golfers have a really good time.” ∞

Main photo: A customer takes a swing as they play a simulated golf course. Photo submitted.