Shannon Coughlin lines up his driver with a golf ball perched on its tee. He locks his eyes on the small target and swings. It launches into a high-impact screen before rolling idly across the artificial turf inside Club 18 at Mister B’s — the Tri-State’s only golf simulation facility.
Inspired by his 13-year-old son Grayson — an eighth-grader at South Middle School in Henderson, Kentucky, who plays in the No. 1 spot on Henderson County High School’s golf team — Coughlin opened Club 18 on July 26, 2021, at 1340 Hirschland Road next to one of his four Mister B’s Pizza and Wings locations in Kentucky and Indiana.
“I thought if we combined the social aspect along with the restaurant aspect — it was a pretty good business plan,” says Coughlin. “I think it’s a warm atmosphere in here.”
One part bar and one part indoor golf course, the space was created locally by designer Kip Farmer and includes five golf bays and a full bar.
Fifteen TVs and a video wall play sports games for viewing from each bay or the four casual seating areas. Granite countertops, golf-centric art, and table-side tablets for easy ordering from Mister B’s full menu add an upscale element to the environment.
What really sets Club 18 apart, according to Coughlin, is technology.
High-impact screens, safety nets, padded walls, and provided golf clubs are only the start: Club 18 utilizes the golf simulation program, TrackMan. Used by broadcasting companies and top golfers the TrackMan 4-driven simulator combines radar and camera tracking on more than 120 real-life courses for shot analysis, standard course play, and mini games.
“I don’t want people to get intimidated,” says Coughlin. “50 percent of our customers are not golfers. I think it’s just a great option for bringing families.”
Open to all ages, Club 18 accepts reserved tee times through its website or walk-ins and will soon offer leagues. Each bay serves eight people at a time for an average of $50 an hour, but prices fluctuate based on peak times.