While the winners of the eight G4D Tour events during the 2023–24 season have enjoyed significant and much deserved attention, there has been substantial growth behind the scenes in the wider G4D (Golf for the Disabled) landscape which only augurs well for the future.
Over the last year, the European Tour group has once again been a strong supporter of EDGA’s efforts to spread awareness that G4D is here to stay and continues to grow, sharing EDGA’s desire to make golf the most inclusive of sports.
In the first three quarters of 2024, the EDGA Eligibility Team analysed several hundred player applications, welcoming almost 600 new G4D players with WR4GD and Access passes so they can play in G4D tournaments in many countries around the world.
EDGA benefits from the support of many organisations, including The R&A, RSM, PING, Srixon, Golfbidder, and Ottobock, while the financial support from the European Tour Group has played a vital role in enabling EDGA to deliver a range of services, such as raising awareness, organising tournaments, delivering golf activations, and enhancing coach education.
Coach Education: Empowering Athletes with Disabilities
Quality coaches and introducers are essential in helping individuals with disabilities not only to start but also thrive in sports. In 2024, EDGA made significant advances in coach education through a range of impactful initiatives. One notable achievement was the launch of an online education module in collaboration with the Confederation of Professional Golf (CPG)/EDUGOLF (EOSE), setting a new standard for accessibility in coaching.
To strengthen the coaching framework further, EDGA’s ‘Learning from the Edges’ resource has been integrated into the educational stages of twelve PGAs worldwide, whether at the initial or continuing education levels. EDGA materials are available on several platforms, including the CPG and The National Alliance for Accessible Golf in the United States, among others. Preparations are also under way to launch EDGA’s online modules on the PGA of GB&I's ‘PGA Learn’ platform, making these educational resources more widely accessible to coaches and introducers. Additionally, coach education visits with national federations, alongside various single-day professional education sessions at golf facilities, have broadened community outreach.
Collaborative research, practical development efforts, and ongoing initiatives with partners such as Koalaa, WheelPower and the LimbBo Foundation have continued. One project involves research on a possible seated player simulation league in collaboration with Trackman, aiming to encourage greater participation and competition among seated players, wherever they live in the world.
To support these initiatives, EDGA has trained introducers to play a crucial role in introducing golf to diverse groups, including NHS Trusts, community health and welfare projects, disability specific groups, and sports-led charities. Noteworthy activities have included visual impairment training at the Betfred British Masters and seated player training in partnership with GolfIt! (The R&A). Through these efforts, skilled coaches and introducers (many of whom are valued volunteers) are making a lasting impact, opening up sports to individuals with disabilities and fostering an inclusive sporting environment.
Ongoing Empirical Research Projects
Research is essential to advancing golf for individuals with disabilities by providing insights that enhance inclusivity, performance, and overall well-being. In 2024, EDGA continued its international research efforts through collaborations with scientists from the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab (USA), the University of South Australia, Abertay University (Scotland), Anglia Ruskin University (England), Ulster University (Northern Ireland), and The R&A. Subgroups focusing on ataxia and health are making significant progress in these areas.
In partnership with The R&A and Ulster University, a field-based Trackman study is nearing completion, having collected data from more than 140 participants. The findings will help inform eligibility criteria for participants. Additionally, a lab-based study at Kingsbarns has gathered biomechanical data from seven EDGA golfers, currently under analysis to determine further data capture needs.
Research on the epidemiology and benefits of golf for individuals with disabilities, led by Abertay University, has surveyed more than 1,600 individuals, with findings to be published soon. The University of South Australia has also initiated data collection through semi-structured interviews, currently being prepared for publication. Furthermore, a PhD project at Edinburgh University has received ethical approval to investigate common injuries and mental health issues among elite golfers, with data collection under way at various events, including the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and The G4D Open. Research by Anglia Ruskin University into visual impairment as it relates to golf is also progressing, with findings expected to guide the development of a golf-specific eligibility system based on evidence and assessment tools relevant to the sport.
Tournaments
The G4D Tour has significantly advanced the landscape for golfers with disabilities, showcasing leading Gross and Net players. In 2024, new participation opportunities have emerged worldwide. EDGA has actively approved and overseen more than 100 world-ranking tournaments, marking a milestone in its commitment to inclusivity within the sport. The organisation continues to conduct eligibility assessments and welcomes participants from all disability spectrums interested in Gross, Net, and Stableford competitions. Notable events this year have included the European Teams Championship and the RSM European Playoffs. For a second year, The R&A partnered with the DP World Tour, supported by EDGA, for the staging of The G4D Open at Woburn, welcoming 80 male and female players from 19 countries. Additionally, several new national opens have been introduced, further expanding competitive opportunities for golfers with disabilities.
