Opening Golf to the World
The R&A
Singer-songwriter and R&A ambassador Niall Horan makes surprise visit to Golf It! to see impact of disability golf programme
28 Sep 26
6 mins
Singer-songwriter and R&A Ambassador Niall Horan made a surprise visit to Golf It! in Glasgow to see first-hand the progress of its Disability Golf Programme, which has welcomed more than 1,300 participants and helped establish the facility as a National Disability Hub for Golf.
Ahead of his Dinner Party Live Tour in Glasgow, Horan visited The R&A’s community-based golf facility to meet participants, hear about their experiences and take part in a session for golfers with a disability, seeing first-hand the impact of a programme. Donations to The R&A Foundation, including generous support from Horan and Kate and Justin Rose, have helped Golf It! expand its programme for golfers with disabilities, creating more opportunities for people to experience and enjoy golf while benefiting from the physical, mental and social wellbeing the sport can provide. Since receiving support, more than 1,300 participants have taken part in the programme, while seven PGA Professionals and Golf It! staff have completed EDGA (European Disabled Golf Association) training. Golf It! is also now welcoming students from six specialist disability schools, creating more opportunities for people of all ages to experience golf in an inclusive and supportive environment. The programme continues to make a significant difference across the wider community. In 2025, Golf It!’s inclusive golf programmes were reported to have generated more than £1.63 million in social value, reflecting the positive impact they are having on people’s health and wellbeing, while creating opportunities for more people to get active, connect with others and enjoy golf.
Niall Horan chats to a participant of the disability golf programme at Golf It!
Individual donations have made it possible to purchase adaptive golf buggies, enabling participants with mobility challenges to access both the facility and the golf course. This has created more opportunities to take part in the game, develop their skills and progress to the next stage of their golfing journey.
Horan, said, “It was brilliant to visit Golf It! and spend time with some of the people who are taking part in the disability golf sessions. Golf should be a sport that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy and seeing the difference this programme is making - whether that is helping someone try golf for the first time, building confidence or giving them the opportunity to progress further in the sport – is incredible.”
The Disability Golf Programme was established with an ambition to make golf more accessible for people with a disability while creating a pathway for those who want to develop further in the sport. Participants include people with visual impairments, autism, mobility challenges and long-term health conditions, with many experiencing golf for the first time.
Sessions are tailored to the individual, with coaches creating a welcoming and encouraging environment in which participants can build confidence and enjoy being active. The programme places a strong emphasis on wellbeing, recognising the role golf can play in supporting physical and mental health as well as providing opportunities for social connection.
Alongside introducing more people to golf, the programme provides opportunities for participants to remain engaged with the sport, develop their skills and, where appropriate, progress towards performance pathways.
Niall Horan visits Golf It! in Glasgow ahead of his Dinner Party Live On Tour in Glasgow.
Alyson McKechin, General Manager at Golf It! said, “The growth of the Disability Golf Programme has been hugely encouraging and demonstrates what can be achieved when accessibility is considered as an integral part of how golf is delivered.
"The financial support we have received has allowed us to increase the number of sessions we offer, train more of our team and invest in equipment which enables participants to progress their golf further.
“More than 1,300 people have now taken part and we are working with six specialist disability schools. Those numbers are important, but what matters most is the impact behind them. Participants are enjoying golf, developing confidence, forming friendships, connecting communities and discovering opportunities they may not previously have thought were available to them.”
Golf It! has now been recognised by Scottish Golf as a National Disability Hub for Golf in Scotland, reflecting its growing role in supporting disability golf and improving accessibility to the sport.
Jenny Brown, Director of Philanthropy at The R&A, said, “We want golf to be open and accessible to everyone and Golf It! has a vital role to play in demonstrating what that can look like in reality.
“The progress of the Disability Golf Programme is transformational for those who have been involved so far. We have been able to create a fun, welcoming experience for those with a disability to experience golf in a relaxed way, which will hopefully inspire them to continue playing the sport through the pathways we have created for many years to come. We are so incredibly grateful to Niall and Kate and Justin Rose for their support and generous donations, which have helped make this possible.
“Becoming a National Disability Hub for Golf is recognition of the work undertaken by the team at Golf It! and provides a strong platform from which we can continue to drive positive impact through golf on the lives and communities which this programme has connected with.”
Golf It! opened in 2023 with the ambition of creating a new approach to golf which makes the sport more accessible, affordable and inclusive for families and communities. The facility in Glasgow combines golf with other activities in a relaxed environment designed to welcome people regardless of age, background or previous experience of the sport.