Need Golf Centre is celebrating national recognition after winning the Facility of the Year award, sponsored by Howden, at the 2026 England Golf Awards - honouring its outstanding commitment to inclusivity, community impact, and redefining what a modern golf venue can be.
From the moment visitors arrive, Need Golf offers a warm, welcoming environment where everyone—regardless of age, experience, or background—feels at home.
The centre’s staff champion encouragement and fun, helping complete beginners, families, and children with additional needs pick up a club with confidence.
Free junior club hire removes financial barriers, while events such as Junior Easter Bingo and Get into Golf days provide relaxed, enjoyable introductions to the sport. The range is fully SEND friendly, supported by sensory aids and welfare‑trained staff to ensure accessibility for all.
Need Golf’s influence extends far beyond the game. The hugely successful Need Feed Festival brought together more than 500 families, celebrating local life and community spirit. This ethos runs through everything the centre delivers—from themed events and friendly competitions to social evenings blending golf, food, and entertainment.
With 50,000 annual visitors, the venue has become a vibrant hub where golfers and non‑golfers mix easily in a relaxed, modern setting.
The coaching team continues to inspire both on site and online, with regular tip videos, challenges, and community highlights contributing to a monthly social media reach of more than 4 million. An impressive 85% of new visitors return, reflecting the strong sense of belonging the centre creates.
Co-Founders of Need Golf Centre, James and Sophie Need were thrilled to receive the award on Tuesday. Sophie said: “We were just a husband-and-wife team six years ago that dreamt of owning the best golf facility that we could build. And to have that just six years later, I mean, when we started, we didn't even have any water or any electricity to the field.
“Now here we are with a facility that thousands of people come to visit every year, thousands of people follow us on social media, and we've really become a beacon of golf in England, and we're so proud to be able to front that and to be a family at the heart of it.
“Our two little kids come at 6:30 am every single Saturday morning. They ball collect - this is a family behind this business, it's not a corporation. It's an independent business that are proud to be British and proud to do what we can for golf. It means so much to us to win this award and it’s huge recognition for us to be one of the best golf facilities in the UK.”
James added: “The trophy will be going at the very front of the golf centre for everyone to see!
“Last year we decided to create a family festival at the golf centre. We had over 500 families in just a three-week period, which was amazing. We had local businesses come down, we had loads of new people trying the game that otherwise wouldn't have had access, so it really helped the golf centre grow, and more people in the local area get into the game.
“I think it's a real duty as a golf centre, being an off-course facility, to get more people into the game, so being recognised by England Golf is just a dream come true.”
Asked about what’s next for the facility, Sophie added: “We're super passionate about getting more people into golf and we're even more passionate about off-course facilities being the entry point into golf. A part of that is making it more accessible, breaking down those barriers and being inclusive for everybody to just give golf a go.
“We're really looking to expand over the next 12 months. We're going to be adding new bays, we're going to be adding a new adventure golf, possibly even a short game area and really expanding our academy.”
Need Golf isn’t just a facility—it’s a movement reshaping perceptions of the sport. This award celebrates a team whose passion, creativity, and inclusivity are transforming lives and strengthening the community.
The centre’s staff champion encouragement and fun, helping complete beginners, families, and children with additional needs pick up a club with confidence.
Free junior club hire removes financial barriers, while events such as Junior Easter Bingo and Get into Golf days provide relaxed, enjoyable introductions to the sport. The range is fully SEND friendly, supported by sensory aids and welfare‑trained staff to ensure accessibility for all.
Need Golf’s influence extends far beyond the game. The hugely successful Need Feed Festival brought together more than 500 families, celebrating local life and community spirit. This ethos runs through everything the centre delivers—from themed events and friendly competitions to social evenings blending golf, food, and entertainment.
With 50,000 annual visitors, the venue has become a vibrant hub where golfers and non‑golfers mix easily in a relaxed, modern setting.
The coaching team continues to inspire both on site and online, with regular tip videos, challenges, and community highlights contributing to a monthly social media reach of more than 4 million. An impressive 85% of new visitors return, reflecting the strong sense of belonging the centre creates.
Co-Founders of Need Golf Centre, James and Sophie Need were thrilled to receive the award on Tuesday. Sophie said: “We were just a husband-and-wife team six years ago that dreamt of owning the best golf facility that we could build. And to have that just six years later, I mean, when we started, we didn't even have any water or any electricity to the field.
“Now here we are with a facility that thousands of people come to visit every year, thousands of people follow us on social media, and we've really become a beacon of golf in England, and we're so proud to be able to front that and to be a family at the heart of it.
“Our two little kids come at 6:30 am every single Saturday morning. They ball collect - this is a family behind this business, it's not a corporation. It's an independent business that are proud to be British and proud to do what we can for golf. It means so much to us to win this award and it’s huge recognition for us to be one of the best golf facilities in the UK.”
James added: “The trophy will be going at the very front of the golf centre for everyone to see!
“Last year we decided to create a family festival at the golf centre. We had over 500 families in just a three-week period, which was amazing. We had local businesses come down, we had loads of new people trying the game that otherwise wouldn't have had access, so it really helped the golf centre grow, and more people in the local area get into the game.
“I think it's a real duty as a golf centre, being an off-course facility, to get more people into the game, so being recognised by England Golf is just a dream come true.”
Asked about what’s next for the facility, Sophie added: “We're super passionate about getting more people into golf and we're even more passionate about off-course facilities being the entry point into golf. A part of that is making it more accessible, breaking down those barriers and being inclusive for everybody to just give golf a go.
“We're really looking to expand over the next 12 months. We're going to be adding new bays, we're going to be adding a new adventure golf, possibly even a short game area and really expanding our academy.”
Need Golf isn’t just a facility—it’s a movement reshaping perceptions of the sport. This award celebrates a team whose passion, creativity, and inclusivity are transforming lives and strengthening the community.
ENDS
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org