Courtesy of Golf It!
The R&A is, by name if not by reputation, both royal and ancient. Its latest effort to grow the game is most definitely not.
Golf It!, a new concept from The R&A, is set to revolutionize the sport, making it more accessible and inclusive to golfers and non-golfers alike. Described as a community-based golf and entertainment facility, the first location opened earlier this month in Glasgow, Scotland.
The indoor and outdoor attraction features an extensive range of introductory golf formats including a twist on pitch and putt, three adventure golf courses, community putting greens, and a 52-bay, double-decker floodlit driving range. A 9-hole course that incorporates five sets of tees to encourage all levels of ability to play together will feature alongside nature trails, bike areas, and street food-style dining and drinks areas.
“The aim at Golf It! has always been to make it as welcoming and affordable as possible,” Golf It! general manager Russell Smith said. “I believe we have achieved that with a facility that is a phenomenal experience for all of the family. It is crucial for us that community is at the center of everything we’re setting out to achieve at Golf It!.”
Almost all of the 50 on-site team members live in the area, and local school children helped design the three adventure golf holes. “There's nothing like it anywhere else in the UK,” Smith said, “and it’s their vision of what golf should look like. We hope we’ve done their imagination justice.”
The first Golf It! also features a golf equipment library with access to equipment and free clubs on the range, nature trails that link to Scotland’s largest urban nature park, custom golf club fitting, a nursery for younger children, a long-term city education program that aims to provide golf experiences to 42,000 children, and a community orchard and gardens.
“This isn’t just a center for golf,” said Neil Young, youth team leader at St Paul’s Youth Forum. “It will become the beating heart of north Glasgow, providing investment into the community and creating opportunities for young people.”