What began as a way to practice golf has quickly evolved into a two-location sold-out concept for two Gainesville brothers.
Trace Rucarean, the 31-year old co-owner of Future Country Club, said the idea came after he moved back to Gainesville and noticed a gap in local golf.
His 39-year-old brother, Tyler Rucarean, attended UF and played on the men’s golf team. He later went on to play at the Florida Open, a state open golf tournament.
The brothers decided to co-open a business blending golf and technology to offer a convenient practice spot in Gainesville.
“There was no simulator, and there was nowhere to really practice, because Gainesville golf isn’t all that great in terms of [watching several golf clubs close],” Trace said.
Each private “golf bay” has a simulator with three cameras that shoot 300 frames per second, Trace said. As soon as the golf club comes into contact with the ball, the cameras immediately record the shot.
Each room offers a spacious area with seating and TV displays. To play, players stand in front of a floor-to-ceiling projector on a patch of artificial turf and swing their club to hit the golf ball as the overhead camera captures when contact is made — translating the swing onto the virtual course and into data.
He said many members have their own golf club set, but the shop can provide golf clubs if needed.
Future Country Club offers over 2,000 different golf courses from around the world, Trace said.
The early stages
The first location opened July 4, 2025, and was booked 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with first-day previews, Trace said. Memberships sold out in three weeks and had a waitlist of over 100 people. At the time, the first location allowed for 45 members.
The second location opened this past fall in the same northwest Gainesville shopping plaza as Resident Coffee and Kasai Sushi Bar and Kitchen. Currently, the club serves 130 members across both locations, he added.
The brothers hosted a launch party on Black Friday and officially opened the new location in December 2025. Memberships were sold out by the end of January.
When first starting, the brothers were able to gain attention primarily through social media like Instagram and TikTok. One TikTok video received around 60,000 views, Trace said, which brought an influx of customers.
Though both locations are on shopping plazas, Trace said the new one has brought more foot traffic because of nearby businesses.
“People are coming in, [asking] ‘What is this place?’” he said.
As many as 20 of the location’s members come from the nearby area, Trace said.
Members from surrounding golf clubs, like Haile Plantation Golf & Country Club, Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club and Club Adena, also frequent the indoor golf locations. About 14 members from the two clubs in Ocala are members at Future Country Club, Trace said.
Memberships
The club is designed for both avid golfers and those getting into golf, Trace said, offering personal rooms allowing people to practice in private. Members can bring friends or family, but they don’t have to share space with strangers, meaning they can feel comfortable to make mistakes.
The club created an exclusive feel by operating on a membership basis rather than a traditional pay-to-visit system.
“It’s kind of small, private, intimate, and you can make the space your own,” Trace said. “It’s almost like a golf Airbnb.”
Members use the CourtReserve app to view schedules and book one- or two-hour sessions. Upon booking, they receive a unique pin code for private room access from the app, he said.
New customers get a free one-hour preview session, Trace said. If they purchase a membership, they receive a 30-minute onboarding session to learn how to use the space.
“We’ve had no issues, and every member’s awesome,” he said. “It’s been a joy to run.”
The brothers plan to open a third location by summer 2026 in the Alachua and High Springs area, he added. The expansion would allow roughly 50 additional memberships.
The two current locations operate from 4 a.m. to 12 a.m. and are located at:
- 6500 SW Archer Road Suite G, Gainesville, FL 32608
- 4401 NW 25th Place STE M, Gainesville, FL 32606
‘This is a big step’
Ethan Mui, a 22-year-old UF finance senior, said the club offers an ideal environment for beginners because of its sense of privacy.
“I feel like if I was a first-time golfer, I would be a little embarrassed if other people were around,” he said. “It’s kind of a more intimate atmosphere.”
Mui, who also receives golf lessons from Tyler, said he is “probably the best coach” he’s had. But golf options are limited in Gainesville, he added.
He said the club is accessible in terms of affordability and location.
“For students, this is a great place,” Mui said. “I think as far as golf, culturally, this is a big step, especially for Gainesville.”
Mui enjoys the club so much he recently upgraded his membership, he said. He’s only found one downside to the high-tech experience.
“Obviously you don’t get the thrill of seeing the ball go crazy far in the air,” he said.
Jimmy Overmeyers, a 28-year-old member of Future Country Club, said he’s been bringing friends along because he’s had such a positive experience.
Overmeyers said his favorite aspect of the club is the environment.
“Being able to have a couple TVs, throw some games on, and having access to this level of camera and being able to actually see and learn what I’m doing with my swing, too,” Overmeyers said.
The high technology has helped him improve, he said.
Though not a very technical person, having data such as spin rates and when he makes contact with the ball has helped him refine his golfing skills, Overmeyers said.
Contact Lily Hartzema at lhartzema@alligator.org. Follow her on X @lilyhartzema.
Lily Hartzema is a second-year journalism major. She is the Metro's spring 2026 General Assignment Reporter. In her past-time, she enjoys reading, exploring new trails and photographing anything that catches her eye.
