Golf for Athletes with a Disability

As the Recognised International Federation for Golf for Athletes with a Disability by the International Paralympic Committee, the International Golf Federation (IGF) is committed to the development of Golf for Athletes with a Disability through the guidance of the IGF Golfers with Disabilities Committee. The IGF encourages golf stakeholders to be inclusive and to promote golf for the disabled at every level, with our key areas of responsibility focusing on:

• Promote and encourage participation and accessibility of golf for Golfers with Disabilities (GwD).
• Encourage the international development of golfers with disability.
• Create a pathway for all GwD to sample, take part and compete from club level through to global events.
• Support and encourage National Federations to actively affiliate existing disabled golf organisations and promote the inclusion of golfers with disability into their membership.
• Establish and manage an international eligibility/classification system for golfers with disability.
• Work with the IPC on golf's inclusion in the Paralympic Games programme.

Golf is a sport for everyone and can be played irrespective of age, gender, physical condition, or disability. Players use their own ball, free from the control of others, where the ball is stationary to allow less mobile and impaired players the opportunity to prepare for each shot. The World Golf Handicap System, variable tee markers and different scoring formats facilitate the opportunity for all golfers, regardless of ability, to play together. Golfers assessed as disabled by their respective governments can participate in golf for the disabled. These players can enjoy golf fully; however, to compete in IGF Covered Competitions, players must meet the minimum impairment criteria and have an eligible impairment as listed in the IGF Classification Rules.

Golf for Athletes with a Disability Classification

Golf for Athletes with a Disability is governed internationally by the International Golf Federation (IGF) within the Paralympic Movement in accordance with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athlete Classification Code, through the IGF Classification Rules.

The purpose of classification is to ensure that athletes with eligible impairments compete on a level playing field, where skill, training, and strategy, not the degree of impairment, determine success.

The IGF classification system establishes:

• Which players are eligible to compete in Para Golf;
• How those eligible players are grouped into Sport Classes according to the impact of their impairment on golf performance; and
• The processes for evaluation, review, and status management.

These rules do not replace the current pass system but create a consistent international framework that aligns with the Paralympic Movement and may provide a Paralympic pathway.

Purpose of Classification

Classification in Golf for Athletes with a Disability serves two fundamental purposes:

1. To determine eligibility – ensuring that only players with a recognised impairment can compete.
2. To group athletes equitably – assigning Sport Classes based on the extent to which the impairment affects golf-specific performance.

This process promotes fairness and preserves the integrity of competition.

Scope and Application

The IGF Classification Rules apply to:

• IGF Counting
• The Paralympic Games (if Golf for Athletes with a Disability is included)
• Other sanctioned competitions where classification or observations may occur.

At any level, many national federations align their procedures with the EDGA Pass System to record classification outcomes, which are athlete driven. However, for IGF Classification, national federations will have to manage their players through the Classification process for an international pass.

Competitive Player Pathway for all through the EDGA Pass System

While the IGF Classification governs International Passes, IGF Covered Competitions and Paralympic pathway competitions, the EDGA Player Pass continues to serve as a means to encourage more people with impairments to participate in golf and remains:

• Athlete-led: players initiate and maintain their pass documentation;
• EDGA approved events: open to all players from all disability categories who meet the eligibility criteria for an EDGA Player Pass.