What to know about the new multi-sport simulator open in a historic Durham destination
Golf has been part of Brandon Baker’s life for years. He balances two jobs both centered around the sport. But even with all that time spent engaging with golf, he hasn’t mastered it.
“I’m usually the fourth-best player in any foursome I’m playing in, but that’s OK,” Baker said.
Though he enjoys being active, for Baker, the real appeal of golf lies its social aspects. Some of his best friends are people he met through golf.
That idea of golf as a fun, social endeavor evolved into State of Golf, a multi-sport simulator bar Baker and his wife, Virginia, recently opened at Durham’s American Tobacco Campus.
About a year and a half ago, Baker attended the PGA Show in Orlando, Florida, where he listened to a presentation on non-traditional golf and indoor concepts. It sparked the initial business idea, something on which Baker thought he and his wife could collaborate.
They chose downtown Durham and, more specifically, the ATC, because they saw an opportunity to provide an entertainment option for the community.
“The architecture is incredible. The people are incredible,” Baker said. “There’s so much corporate business, and there’s new residential coming in all the time.”
Both Brandon and Virginia have full-time jobs — Brandon as president and CEO of nonprofit First Tee - Triangle and Virginia as a residential loan officer — so they hired an operations manager with more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry who manages the day-to-day at State of Golf.
Inside the 3,300-square-foot space, three Full Swing Golf simulators provide dozens of games for visitors. The simulators, used by pros such as Tiger Woods, Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth, do much more than allow users to practice their golf swing. You can also pitch baseballs or even throw dodgeballs at zombies.
“They don’t get thrown back at you, thankfully,” Baker said.
Meanwhile, visitors can enjoy locally sourced craft beers from breweries such as Fullsteam Brewery and Atomic Clock Brewing Co., wine and a golf-inspired cocktail menu. For example, the old fashioned is called the 19th Hole.
No food is served at State of Golf, and Baker said there are no plans to offer any. Instead, they invite visitors to order from nearby downtown Durham restaurants.
“It’s a good entertainment space where you never have to take anything too seriously at all. You can just come and have fun and be yourself,” Baker said. “It’s not a country club, so please come as you are and how you are.”
State of Golf hours, location and other details
The downtown Durham business opened June 11.
- Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
- Address: 318 Blackwell St. Suite 240, Durham
Visitors can order from the bar without having to use one of the simulators. But to ensure you get to play on one, make a reservation in advance on State of Golf’s website.
State of Golf also offers a membership program that provides benefits such as early access to tee-time bookings discounts on simulator bay rentals.
This story was originally published June 14, 2024 at 7:30 AM.
