Golf for Athletes with a Disability

Inside IGF

Classification

Classification Process

Classifiers

Classification Data Protection

Covered Competitions

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.

National Members Updates

IPC Code Compliance and the Brisbane 2032 Pathway

The International Golf Federation is committed to supporting the continued growth of Golf for Athletes with a Disability and creating stronger opportunities for players to take part, compete, and progress through the global golf pathway.

Working with its National Members and key stakeholders across the Golf for Athletes with a Disability landscape, the IGF is helping to build a more consistent, internationally aligned framework for disability golf. This includes ongoing work on eligibility, classification, competition opportunities, and the structures needed to support fair and meaningful participation at every level of the game.

As part of its long-term ambition to support golf’s potential inclusion in the Paralympic Games Programme, the IGF continues to advance important work towards alignment with the IPC Classification Code.

This includes the development and refinement of the IGF Classification Rules, the role of classification within the existing G4D landscape, the identification of IGF Covered Competitions, and the creation of classification opportunities for athletes across different regions. It also involves ongoing engagement with the IPC, as well as the preparation of key submissions and milestones needed to support golf’s future Paralympic pathway.

The following video (which was presented at the 2026 G4D Open) gives National Members an overview of the work carried out to date, including:

  • how the IGF Classification Rules are being developed to comply with the IPC Classification Code;
  • how the IGF’s work fits within the current G4D landscape;
  • the role of classification and covered competitions;
  • key milestones and submissions completed to date; and
  • the pathway being pursued for golf’s potential inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games Programme.

National Members are encouraged to watch the video to gain a clearer understanding of the progress made so far, and of the important role they will play as the IGF continues its work towards IPC Code compliance and future Paralympic recognition.

For more information, please contact the IGF Head of Golf for Athletes with a Disability, Christian Hamilton at christianhamilton@igfmail.org