Teeing off in Buffalo: Shotclub Social to Break Ground this Spring

The City of Buffalo is well known for its sports centered enthusiasm and sport culture. The city has continued to focus its identity on what brings people together in Western New York: sports. The Bills have become a religion in the city, and the Sabres hockey team remains at the heart of downtown entertainment. By focusing on that key element that brings Western New Yorkers together, the city has developed the Larkin District, previously an industrial neighborhood, into a new and upcoming sports entertainment center.¹ With pro soccer coming to Buffalo as soon as the 2026 soccer season to Elk and Lee street, there is even more of a push to develop the new project, ShotClub Social just down the street.

ShotClub Social will be a $30 million golf focused project that will entail over 45,000 square feet.² In the facilities, there will be 60 year round driving bays, both indoors and outdoors, as well as bowling and other family friendly activities.³ There will also be fine-casual dining and multiple bars.⁴ The location will also be right off the I-90 and be about eight and a half acres.⁵ After several delays, the project is finally starting to be constructed in the late spring of this year, with a completion date projected for summer 2026.⁶

As of March 2025, ShotClub Social has continued to work with the city to ensure all zoning and urban planning for this project is properly in order.⁷ This project, similar to the new Pro Soccer team that will be nearby, has been supported throughout its development by the city. The management of the project has reportedly been meeting with city officials frequently to ensure the success of this popular project.⁸ Not only will this project boost the up-and-coming entertainment district on Elk Street, but the project is also estimated to bring around 300 jobs to Elk Street.⁹

This new project, along with the upcoming $10 million pro soccer stadium on Elk Street and the Powerhouse Event Center, will be the grounding features of this new entertainment district on Elk Street and Lee Street. It is clear that Buffalo is shedding its status as an old industrial rust belt city. The City of Buffalo continues to find ways to bring a younger an even more energetic crowd of people to visit and stay in Buffalo.

1. https://www.btpm.org/local/2025-03-11/could-elk-street-become-the-new-riverworks-or-larkin-district ↩︎
2. https://www.audacy.com/wben/news/local/shotclub-social-buffalo-ready-to-tee-off-construction-this-spring ↩︎
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6. https://www.audacy.com/wben/news/local/shotclub-social-buffalo-ready-to-tee-off-construction-this-spring ↩︎
7. https://www.audacy.com/wben/news/local/shotclub-social-buffalo-ready-to-tee-off-construction-this-spring ↩︎
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image credits: https://oncoreinnovations.golf/shotclub-social