Glasgow, Scotland: A hotly-anticipated community-based golf and entertainment facility has opened its doors on the south bank of Hogganfield Loch in Glasgow.

Unveiled last week, Golf It!, a brand new concept from The R&A, is set to revolutionise the sport, making it more accessible and inclusive to golfers and non-golfers alike.

The vast new indoor and outdoor attraction boasts 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 new-look nine-hole course that incorporates five sets of tees to encourage people at all levels of ability to play together will feature alongside nature trails, bike hire and street food-style dining and drinks areas, with Glasgow’s Big Feed making the venue its new permanent home. Glasgow’s first-ever Padel tennis courts are also set to launch on site this year.

Russell Smith, General Manager at Golf It!, said: “The aim at Golf It! has always been to make it as welcoming and affordable as possible. 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 centre of everything we’re setting out to achieve at Golf It! Most of our 50 trail-blazers – the name we’ve given our new team members on site – are from the local area.

“Working with Beano Brain, school children were asked to design the adventure golf holes. There’s nothing like it anywhere else in the UK and it’s their vision of what golf should look like. We hope we’ve done their imagination justice.

“We can’t wait to show everyone how spectacular the venue looks. Golf It! is for those kids, their families and the whole community, who might not have thought of visiting a golf attraction.”

Golf It! has already won the backing of a range of delivery and community partners, which includes Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Life, Visit Scotland, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Golf Foundation, Active Schools Network, GEO Foundation, AIG, Toptracer, Toro, Acushnet, Callaway, PMY Group, Range Servant, Your Golf Booking, Scottish Power Carryway, Golfway and adidas.

St Paul’s Youth Forum, community partner of Golf It!, is a youth project in Provanmill that aims to provide opportunities for young people across the East End of Glasgow. Young people from the project and local schools have planted a community orchard at the venue and will be operating On Bikes, a youth-focused bike charity which provides free bike access on site.

Neil Young, Youth Team Leader at St Paul’s Youth Forum, commended the move by The R&A to include opportunities that bring young people in the area closer together as part of Golf It!

He said: “This isn’t just a centre for golf, it will become the beating heart of north Glasgow, providing investment into the community and creating opportunities for young people.

“With training and an exciting education pathway at St Paul’s Youth Forum, we’re confident that Golf It! is going to be a facility the whole community can access and feel very proud of.”