G4D

why Golf?

Golf is about taking a club to hit a ball to a target. The game can be played as a participant or as a competitor. Over time, players develop their physical and mental skills to create a repeatable swing technique, adopt suitable tactics and develop their concentration for the few seconds required for each shot.

Golfers come in all shapes and sizes and have different levels of limitations, yet each develops their skills in a way that is personal and, in most cases, unique. For players with the broadest array of disabilities, golf is ideal as they play with their own ball, which cannot be affected by any other player, and it is stationary.

Golf is for all

I. Supportive Community

A. Inclusive Culture: The golf community is often inclusive and supportive, welcoming players of all abilities and encouraging participation regardless of impairment.

B. Peer Support: Playing golf with peers who have similar impairments can provide valuable support and encouragement, fostering camaraderie and a sense of belonging.

II. Accessible Facilities

A. Accessible Courses: Many golf courses offer accessible features, such as paved pathways, wheelchair-friendly ramps, and accessible restrooms, to accommodate players with mobility impairments.

B. Adaptive Golf Programs: Adaptive golf programs and clinics provide specialized instruction and support for individuals with impairments, offering a welcoming environment for learning and playing the game.

III. Focus on Skill and Technique

A. Mental Game: Golf is a mental game that requires focus, strategy, and technique, allowing players to excel based on skill rather than physical ability alone.

B. Adaptive Techniques: Players can adapt their technique to compensate for physical limitations, such as using a modified swing or stance to accommodate mobility impairments. Overall, the adaptability of equipment, modified rules and formats, accessible facilities, supportive community, and focus on skill and technique make golf a sport that can be enjoyed by almost anyone, regardless of their impairment.

IV. Modified Rules and Formats

A. Handicap System: The handicap system allows players of different skill levels to compete on an equal footing, ensuring inclusivity and fair play.

B. Alternative Formats: Various formats, such as scramble or best ball, allow players to participate as a team, reducing the emphasis on individual performance and making the game more accessible to those with impairments.

V. Adaptability of Equipment

A. Customized Clubs: Golf clubs can be customized to accommodate various physical limitations, such as shorter shafts for individuals with mobility issues or specialized grips for those with limited hand function.

B. Assistive Devices: Adaptive equipment, such as golf carts, motorized scooters, or specialized gloves, can assist players with mobility impairments in navigating the course.

MULLIGAN Stories

The 44-minutes film tells the story of six spectacular people. The “Mulligan” film produced by EDGA with the support of The R&A in 2020.

Competing in G4D

Participants can choose their level of inclusion and, at the most inclusive end of the spectrum, can compete on a level basis in the mainstream sport. Golf's World Handicap System, variable tee markers and different scoring formats facilitate this opportunity. G4D includes players assessed as being disabled by their National Government and so can compete in events even though they may not have an eligible impairment or meet the minimum impairment criteria as defined by the IPC Classification Code.

These players can still enjoy golf fully; however, to compete in international G4D tournaments, players must prove that their impairment limits their ability to play the game against a set of definitions under constant review.

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G4D

why Golf?

Golf is for all

MULLIGAN Stories

Competing in G4D

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