The Classification Process

Inside the IGF

Golf for Athletes with a Disability

Classification

Classifiers

Classification Data Protection

Covered Competitions

Classification is fundamental to the Paralympic Movement, ensuring fair competition by grouping athletes based on how their impairments affect performance. In Golf for Athletes with a Disability, where precision and consistency are key, classification provides a level playing field.

The 2025 Code provides a universal framework for classification, balancing harmonisation across sports with the flexibility for golf-specific needs, while requiring all International Federations, including the IGF, to comply with its standards.

Who can be Classified

Athletes must have a medically diagnosed Underlying Health Condition (UHC) that leads to one or more of the eligible impairment types:

  • Physical (e.g. impaired muscle power, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia)
  • Vision (meeting visual acuity/field thresholds)
  • Intellectual (verified via Virtus assessments)

The classification process follows four stages:

Underlying Health Condition (UHC) Assessment
  • Verification that the athlete has at least one medically or clinically diagnosed Underlying Health Condition that could result in an eligible impairment.
  • Conducted by an IGF-approved UHC Assessor, based on diagnostic documentation.
Eligible Impairment Assessment
  • Confirms that the impairment aligns with one or more of the IGF’s Eligible Impairments.
  • The Assessment must be performed in person by a qualified Classification Panel
Minimum Impairment Criteria (MIC) Assessment
  • Determines whether the impairments meet the minimum severity threshold for IGF covered competitions
  • Players not meeting the MIC are designated “Not Eligible – Minimum Impairment Criteria”
Sport Class & Sport Class Status Allocation

The final stage assigns:

  • A Sport Class (e.g. Si1, St2, Vi1) reflecting functional impact; and
  • A Sports Class Status (Confirmed, Reviewed, or Expired) indicating review requirements.
Sport Classes & Descriptions
Domain Sport Class Description
Seated Si1 & Si2 The two sitting Sports Classes are reserved for Players whose Eligible Impairments render them unable to play in a Standing Posture without the use of Adaptive Equipment, and who elect not to use such Adaptive Equipment, such that they must play in a Seated Posture.
Standing St1 / St2 / St3 The three standing Sports Classes are reserved for Players who are able to play in a Standing Posture (including, where relevant, through the use of Adaptive Equipment).
Vision V1 / V2 The two Visual Sport Classes are reserved for players whose vision ranges from partial sight to total blindness.
Intellectual Ii1 The Ii1 is reserved for players with at least a mild adverse effect on their sport-relevant cognition.

National Federation Role

Athletes, through their National Federations, are to submit all required forms and medical evidence in advance.

Classification Documents Download

Documents under review and to be released in 2026

IGF Underlying Health Condition Assessment and Eligibility Consent Form

IGF Athlete Classification Evaluation Consent Form

IGF Classification Medical Review Request Form

Medical Diagnostic Form

Medical Diagnostic Form for Athletes with Vision Impairment