Disability Golf

Positive pathways to make golf more inclusive with EDGA

The R&A

09 Jan 25

3 mins

The recent growth of ‘G4D’ (Golf for the Disabled) in the home nations has been significant, driven by the governing bodies of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, with the continued support and strategic efforts of EDGA and The R&A.

From new, inclusive tournaments, the training of coaches and offering first-touch experiences, this activity all points to positive steps to grow the market further for the benefit of all in the sport. Acknowledged international experts in G4D – the not-for-profit body EDGA – believes positive moves in golf for the disabled can only be good for the international golf market, as more nations explore inclusive opportunities in golf. Much of this activity has resulted from applying EDGA’s ‘8-Stage Pathway’, offering a series of stages that national federations can use by either selecting the most appropriate resources to address gaps in their existing golf programmes, or implementing it as a sequential framework to help them achieve their objectives. The Pathway explores: ‘getting started’; locations (assisting venues); the workforce; communication; encouraging new and regular players; competitions and events; professional coaching education; and legacy. This covers everything from someone’s first-ever putt to the concluding putts of a leading championship, such as The G4D Open staged by The R&A and the DP World Tour. Leading sport, medical, health and organisational experts helped create the Pathway which is supported by The R&A. Through its application, national federations (EDGA works with 50 federations) can develop their own route to encourage individuals with disabilities to engage with golf at every level – from those first-touch experiences to elite competition – with 8-Stage having the potential to significantly increase participation at every level. Recent home nations’ highlights show how the Pathway can be applied successfully:

A Transformational Journey in Scotland

In early 2023, Scottish Golf recognised a pivotal opportunity to redefine its involvement in the G4D sector, choosing to utilise EDGA’s expertise and wide experience in G4D competition and development (including eligibility, education and instruction). The endorsement of a new G4D tournament for Scotland, the EDGA St Andrews Links Open, and the adoption of elements of the 8-Stage Pathway, marked the beginning of a transformative era led by Scottish Golf. Key Highlights in Scotland: Digital Transformation: Scottish Golf launched a dedicated G4D webpage featuring dynamic content such as player profiles, case studies and access to rankings. This platform has instilled confidence among new golfers, offering resources to learn about G4D and how to get involved. Accessible Competition: During the 2023 EDGA St Andrews Links Open, Scottish Golf shadowed EDGA's delivery team to build knowledge in organising G4D events. The expertise gained ensured the successful delivery of the inaugural 2024 Scottish Open at Cardrona Golf Club in the Scottish Borders, demonstrating the governing body’s ability to manage elite G4D competitions with minimal external support. The precursor to this successful Open took the form of a series of taster sessions, run by Scottish Golf and partners at Cardrona on the day of the event, and also in locations around Scotland in the weeks before, that invited anyone with a disability from local communities to try golf in an informal setting. Participants were invited to custom club fittings from PING, to try Paragolfers and to participate in putting activities to learn about how golf can be adapted to suit anyone with a disability. Building Workforce Capacity: EDGA trainers visited Golf It! – The R&A’s new public facility in Glasgow – to prepare the coaching and professional staff with G4D-specific coach education. This mirrored other recent work by EDGA that encouraged people with disability to try golf (at golf courses, community venues and rehabilitation centres), where participants had the opportunity to enjoy extra learning sessions with the EDGA team at The 152^nd Open at Royal Troon, courtesy of The R&A.

EDGA trainers visited Golf It! in Glasgow to prepare the venue's staff with G4D-specific coach education.

England: Building Stories and Expanding Participation

Many England players have honed their competitive games in individual G4D events in recent times. With silver medals in both the 2024 EGA European Team Championship for Golfers with a Disability and the Nations’ Cup, England Golf’s team performances have directly increased awareness of, and participation, in G4D. Supported by the 8-Stage Pathway, England Golf’s approach extends beyond event-hosting, to emphasise storytelling and inclusivity. Key Initiatives in England: Engaging Narratives: Player profiles were created to highlight personal journeys, showcasing how golf positively impacted their lives, with support from EDGA. These stories resonated with diverse audiences a fostering a culture of inclusivity. England Golf has also produced strong personal video stories on players and coaches that have been viewed extensively on social media. Inclusive Competition: In 2024, the third staging of the English Open for Golfers with a Disability has seen this become one of the UK’s must-play G4D tournaments, garnering strong media attention. This year the event broke new ground by welcoming professionals alongside amateurs, enriching the competitive landscape. Collaborative Team Selection: Ongoing dialogue between England Golf and EDGA established transparent team selection criteria for the EGA European Team Championship and the Nations’ Cup, promoting inclusivity and clarity. Apart from the playing success of the England Teams, the golfers and management reported a highly positive team spirit forged among players from different sport classes.

2024 G4D Open Highlights

Ireland: A National Commitment to G4D Golf Ireland’s commitment to G4D began in earnest in 2018. With EDGA’s guidance, Golf Ireland has developed a comprehensive approach, integrating G4D into the core of its operations with exciting results. Key Achievements in Ireland: First-Touch Development: Training programmes, such as the D3 system designed by EDGA, enabled individuals with various impairments to experience golf in an inclusive and supportive environment. In 2024, 1,254 individuals attended Golf4All awareness days where participants with disabilities were introduced to the sport for the first time. Access to Golf4All coaching programmes and travel bursaries for individual players were arranged, while 32 clubs enjoyed Golf4All club grants. Tournament Excellence: Irish officials have shadowed EDGA events to learn best practices in organising tournaments. In 2024, along with supporting DIGA events, Golf Ireland staged eight G4D tournaments, including NIBGA Blind/Disabled Golf Opens, culminating in hosting a national G4D championship at Roganstown GC (the ISPS Handa Irish Open for Golfers with a Disability). Two G4D Irish teams competed in the European Team Championship in Germany. Three EDGA Eligibility Assessors have been trained in Ireland to help with player access. The expanded calendar also included a new Junior Golf4All event series for younger players with disability. Training and Education: In Golf4All, EDGA trained 66 people from 32 clubs on how to include people with disabilities. Six PGA professionals also took part in specialised training to enable them to best coach people with disabilities. Golf Ireland is supporting the development of the G.A.M.E. (Golf, Adapted, Mobility, Engineered) support unit with Munster Technical University and Fuzed Engineering: this seated aid will allow individuals with lower limb disabilities to engage with golf in a supportive environment. Funding and Infrastructure: With an excellent G4D offering, Golf Ireland has attracted funding to enhance its grassroots work, improve club-level infrastructure and ensure widespread accessibility.

Wales: Inclusivity and Inaugural National G4D Open

Wales Golf’s strapline ‘Everyone’s Game’ suggests the highly inclusive outlook that is bringing many new players into the sport. Recent steps forward have come through new G4D competition, and a management strategy built around equality, diversity and inclusivity at every level of the golf offer. Key Markers in Wales: Inclusive Competition: EDGA welcomed the creation of the inaugural Wales G4D Open in 2024, held at Trefloyne Golf Club, Tenby, which included male and female competitors playing in three scoring formats: Gross, Net and Stableford, with an English, Irish and Welsh winner in each respective category. The popularity among those taking part suggests this event can thrive in future years. Reaching into Communities: Wales Golf initiatives, including New2Golf, and its involvement in projects such as Unleash Your Drive and other youth outreach projects, are underpinned by funding support that encourages G4D growth. Regular communication and support with golf clubs, schools and communities, allied to positive messaging to drive inclusion, can maintain progress in Wales.

The G4D Open Spreads Understanding

The philosophy of the 8-Stage Pathway was highlighted as The R&A worked in partnership with the DP World Tour, with the support of EDGA, to stage The G4D Open at Woburn in May. An elite international G4D championship, the second edition underlined that golf can be the most inclusive of sports. While 80 players from 19 different countries competed in nine sport classes across multiple disabilities, the week featured a symposium for federation delegates from countries including: Egypt, Norway, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda, Ukraine, and South Africa; and included expert training for coaches, grassroots first-touch experiences for youngsters with a disability, and visitor education golf challenges, all to increase knowledge and understanding of G4D. The R&A is keen to ensure that its commitment to golfers with a disability goes beyond an annual championship. It wants there to be a legacy as well. The R&A Foundation has donated a hi-tech Paragolfer to Woburn, as well as one that arrived at Golf It! in late 2024, both of which have already been put to good use. The all-terrain mobile device lifts and supports those with lower-limb disabilities so that they can play and enjoy the sport from a standing position. Kevin Barker, Director – Golf Development GB&I and Africa at The R&A, said, “While golf can encourage lots of people with a disability to enjoy the benefits of the sport, there will also be many who think it’s not for them, that they might not be welcomed or will struggle to get started. We all need to work together to change these perceptions. “Working with EDGA, we are dedicated to ensuring that golfers with a disability are integrated into the fabric of the sport through our support of golf’s industry bodies and national federations worldwide. “The last step of the 8-Stage Pathway is ‘legacy’. The R&A is proud to partner with EDGA and the DP World Tour to stage The G4D Open and recent donations of Paragolfers to Woburn and Golf It! are just part of a very real desire to make positive change from the Championship.”

A Unified Vision for the Future

EDGA President Dr Tony Bennett added, “Even the most established federations can benefit from growing the G4D offering, and although many nations worldwide do not have high G4D participation figures, the opportunity for golf is tremendous. “Developing a better all-round experience in a sport for people with a disability can seem daunting, especially from a standing start. I say: ‘start from where you are, use what you’ve got, work out where you want to get to, but start.’ “Talk to ourselves, or The R&A. Some 16% of the world’s population has a disability; a huge potential participation base for the future. Through the 8-Stage Pathway we offer all the tools to help a golf federation. Golf clubs will be much better for welcoming a more diverse clientele, so start where you can. Train coaches, communicate with your communities, recruit interested staff and volunteers and learn. But start now and you won’t regret it.” Bennett says the adoption of elements of the 8-Stage Pathway has proven transformative for the home nations and other countries, enabling governing bodies to build industry capacity and foster a culture of inclusivity in golf. By supporting samplers, participants, and competitors, 8-Stage provides a clear pathway from grassroots engagement to elite competition. EDGA’s partnerships with national federations highlights the global potential of G4D. These efforts not only increase participation but also improve lives by making golf accessible to all. As each nation progresses, the shared vision of making golf inclusive ensures a bright future for G4D. With continued collaboration from EDGA, The R&A and national federations, G4D will inspire a new generation of individuals with disabilities, encouraging diversity, inclusion and excellence in the sport.

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