BLYTHEWOOD – There’s going to be a new way to play golf in Blythewood – it’s called virtual golf and will soon be available at Fairway24 Golf, located at 733-4 University Village in the Food Lion Shopping Center. According to leasing agent Amy Stuck with the Vireo Group in Columbia, the 1,200 square-foot indoor virtual golf training and entertainment facility is set to open in spring of 2026.
Owner Brandyn Boykin, a Fairfield County native, said the venue will feature three simulator bays that allow golfers to play indoors using advanced simulator technology.
“It’s designed to feel just like you’re playing real golf, but indoors,” Boykin said. “Each bay uses a projector and screen that displays a golf course or practice setup in front of you. The system tracks your shots, shows how far you hit each club, and provides feedback on your swing. You can play full courses, practice on a driving range, or switch to different game modes.”
Boykin said interactive games will also be offered that are great fun for families and kids.
“For example, instead of a golf course, the screen might show a dartboard or other targets, and you try to hit specific spots with the golf ball,” he said. “The experience is fun and accessible for all ages and skill levels.”
Boykin said the simulators accommodate golfers of any experience level.
“Beginners can learn and practice in a comfortable environment, while experienced golfers can fine-tune their skills,” he said. “Even highly skilled golfers can use the technology to improve their game.”
The shop will host lesson days and special events where a golf professional comes in to give instruction using Fairway 24’s equipment.
“It’s a great setup for teaching because it closely replicates being out on a real course,” Boykin said.
Boykin, 27, who plays golf almost every weekend at local courses including Cobblestone, Edgewater, and other courses near Columbia, said he became interested in virtual golf when he wasn’t able to play because of bad weather or just didn’t have half a day to spend out on a course.
Growing up just outside of Great Falls in Fairfield County (near Lake Wateree), Boykin said he didn’t play golf until he was in high school.
“I played recreationally at first, and didn’t take it seriously until about two years ago. I was never on a golf team—it was just something I did with friends,” he said.
Fairway24 Golf will operate 24/7 on a membership basis.
“Everything is managed through technology,” Boykin said. “Members will use an app to check availability and book time, similar to booking a tee time. Once you book, you receive a code that allows you access during your scheduled time. After your session ends, the access code to the venue expires. It’s similar to a 24/7 gym membership model.”
The venue will offer three different membership tiers, plus limited non-member access. Members pay monthly and receive a set number of hours depending on their plan.
“Those who would like a membership can sign up now through our website to get on the list. They won’t be charged until our system is fully set up, then we’ll reach out to everyone who signed up,” Boykin said. “In the meantime, we invite everyone to go to our website, fairway24golf.com to learn more about what we’ll be offering. “We’ll probably have a soft opening for early members to test everything out before our larger grand opening.”
Boykin is the sole owner and also has a full-time job as a power service technician out of Santee Cooper’s Blythewood office on Langford Road.
“I primarily work on the substation side of operations and travel all over the state, so I have to depend a lot on behind-the-scenes support to get the Fairway 24 business up and running,” he said. He credits that support to his wife of six years, Ashlyn, who has been by his side since ninth grade.
Boykin says the couple’s two-year-old daughter, Ansleigh, has also recently taken up the sport.
“We bought her a little set of clubs and she runs around hitting the ball when she goes to the golf course with me,” he said.
“Blythewood is definitely a golfing community, and I think Fairway 24 will be a great fit for the area,” he said. “I’m really excited to get it going.”
