About Fairway + Forge
A personal passion.
A local business.
Thoughtful golf simulator design, rooted in Lake Oconee and built on a straightforward idea: help people make informed choices.
Meet Your Local Simulator PartnerWhat guides us
A better way to bring golf home
Spend thoughtfully
Understand what each component contributes and invest in the features you’ll use.
Design for the room
Coordinate the simulator with your home, finishes, and the professionals preparing the space.
Keep choices clear
Talk honestly about capabilities, software, recurring costs, and the realities of simulator golf.
Stay personal
Build a relationship with a local business and a real person who understands your project and your system.
A note from the founder
“It started with a simulator in my own home.”
Payne Hughes
Founder · Lake Oconee, Georgia
Meet Payne
Why I started Fairway + Forge
When I began planning my own golf simulator, I received quotes above $100,000. I wanted to understand what I was paying for and which parts would actually improve the experience of playing at home.
I spent time working through the technology, software choices, and room design, then built my own system. I helped friends with theirs, and more people began asking for help. That’s what led me to start Fairway + Forge.
My approach is straightforward: choose capable equipment, make sure the components work together, and explain the tradeoffs honestly. I want you to feel good about what you’re buying and know who to call when you need help.
That’s the approach behind the business: practical advice, personal service, and support from someone who is part of this community.
Rooted in the community
Lake Oconee is home.
I moved to Lake Oconee in 2000, graduated from Gatewood Schools, and attended the University of Georgia. Working alongside my father building agricultural aircraft taught me to appreciate precision and craftsmanship. My family and I returned to Lake Oconee in 2022, and this is where I’m building Fairway + Forge.
A practical kind of premium
Good advice is part of the system.
We’ll talk about what matters for your game, how the room will work, and what it takes to keep the system running. The goal is a simulator you enjoy using and a relationship you can rely on.