Disability Inclusion
In collaboration with the PGA of Australia, Golf Australia continue to strive to make the game of golf more inclusive, with a focus on disability inclusion.
Unlike many sports, golf is inclusive by design. In general, very little modification is required to equipment, facilities or the operation of the course to enable people with disability to participate in golf.
We are committed to creating pathways for people with disability by breaking down the barriers to participation within golf through the use of policies, coach and administrator education, development programs, partnerships and promotion.
Getting started in the game
For Kids MyGolf All Abilities is Australia’s introductory golf program designed for kids with physical, sensory or intellectual disabilities who may not feel supported in mainstream MyGolf programs. MyGolf All Abilities uses game-based activities that can be modified to suit the needs and skills of all MyGolf All Abilities participants.
Programs are run by highly skilled PGA All Abilities Coaches and supported by All Abilities Community Instructors. Kids will learn the skills and the basics of the game in a safe and healthy environment.
Visit www.golf.org.au/mygolf/all-abilities for further information.
For Adults Get Into Golf All Abilities is Australia’s introductory golf program designed for adults with physical, sensory or intellectual disabilities who may not feel supported in mainstream Get Into Golf programs.
Get Into Golf All Abilities uses game-based activities that can be modified to suit the needs and skills of all Get Into Golf All Abilities participants.
Visit www.golf.org.au/getintogolf/all-abilities for further information
Our coaches and deliverers
PGA All Abilities Coach A joint initiative between Golf Australia and the PGA of Australia, the PGA All Abilities Coach Accreditation has been developed to give PGA Professionals and their venues / facilities additional training & resources in providing support for those golfers with physical, sensory or intellectual disability.
There are over 200 accredited All Abilities Coaches across Australia. As accredited coaches, PGA Professionals play an important role in providing suitable assistance to golfers with disability.
PGA professionals complete an accreditation in the following areas;
Visit findapgapro.com.au to find your nearest PGA All Abilities Coach.
National Program Deliverer - All Abilities Since 2016, Golf Australia and the PGA of Australia have been working together to expand the current inclusive coaching workforce through the PGA All Abilities Accreditation. With the addition of the National Program Deliverers with All Abilities accreditation, this will create further capacity in assisting these coaches or providing capacity in areas not services by a PGA All Abilities Coach.
Evidence of one of the below criteria needs to be provided to be validated to deliver the MyGolf or Get Into Golf All Abilities program.
Disability service providers, staff and volunteers
National Disability Sport Organisations (NDSO's) and their state bodies
People with a disability
Occupational Therapist and health care providers
Click here for further information or how to become a National Program Deliverer – All Abilities.
All Abilities events and championships
Golf Australia and in partnership with disability organisations run events and championships across Australia for people with a disability.
Blind Golf Australia, Deaf Golf Australia, Amputee Golf Australia, Empower Golf Australia and Special Olympics Australia are membership organisations that run impairment specific events and championships.
Golf Australia is a member federation of EDGA, a collaboration of over 40 National governing bodies across the world, sharing a tournament structure and worldwide calendar of events and championships for people with disability. To view these events and championships click here.
Golf Australia / EDGA Badged events and championships
EDGA Open Events The EDGA Open series is open to players from all disability categories, with a nationally recognised golf handicap of not more than 54, who have an Access Pass or a WR4GD Pass. Players will compete together in a multi-disability format. The format of these tournaments may be stroke play, match play, or stableford. Only the points earned by players who have a WR4GD pass will be added to the Ranking.
All golf handicap categories up to 54.0
Minimum of 36 holes
Playing in handicap categories
EDGA Challenge Series The Challenge series is open to players from all disability categories with a nationally recognised golf handicap of not more than 54, who have an Access Pass or a WR4GD Pass. The format of these tournaments may be stroke play, match play, or stableford. Only the points earned by players who have a WR4GD pass will be added to the Ranking.
All golf handicap categories up to 54.0
Minimum of 36 holes
WR4GD Premier Series The WR4GD Series is open to players from all disability categories with a nationally recognised golf handicap of not more than 28 for men and 36 for women, who have a WR4GD Pass. Players will compete together in a multi-disability format. The format of these tournaments may be stroke play, match play, or stableford.
Players must have a WR4GD pass
Golf handicap categories up to 28.0 for men & up to 36.0 for women
Minimum of 36 holes
National events calendar (All Abilities)
Golf Australia in collaboration with New Zealand Golf and National Disability Golf Associations have a list of major events.
State Inclusive Championships Golf Australia State Championships open to all players that meet the minimum impairment criteria for Access, Access + or WR4GD passes.
Australian All Abilities Championship Played within the Men's Australian Open and the first event of its kind around the world, the Australian All Abilities Championship (AAAC) is Australia’s premier championship for golfers with a disability.
54 Hole Championship played within the Mens Australian Open
Top 12 ranked players from the WR4GD rankings across the world
Televised with Australian Open broadcast partners
Classification for events & championships
To participate in an EDGA badged event, a WR4GD or a non-ranked ACCESS pass will be required. These passes are administered and issued by the EDGA medical team.
For further information on how to obtain a pass, minimum impairment criteria and eligibility, visit the EDGA website.
Other enquiries on how to obtain a pass, medical information required and general eligibility questions, please contact:
Sam Taylor Golf Australia National Eligibility Assessor samtaylorphysio@gmail.com
World Rankings for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD)
The R&A and USGA manage and administer the World Rankings for Golfers with Disability.
There are three (3) Ranking categories open to both men and women competitors
Stroke – For men and women with federation handicaps less than 18.4
Nett – For men and women with federation handicaps less than 18.4
Stableford - For men and women with federation handicaps above 18.5 to 54
To view the rankings and frequently asked questions visit the World Amateur Golf Rankings website at www.wagr.com/wr4gd-ranking.
National Disability Golf Organisations
Golf Australia works closely with a variety of organisations that exist at state and national level to assist and support people with a disability who are looking to get involved in golf.
Sport Inclusion Australia – supporting classification of athletes with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Intellectual disabilities.
Blind Golf Australia – for people with low vision or blind.
Deaf Golf Australia – for deaf or hard of hearing people.
Amputee Golf Australia – for amputees and people who have experienced limb loss
Special Olympics Australia – for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Intellectual disabilities.
Empower Golf Australia – for people of all abilities.
National Disability Golf Organisations support people with disability through physical and social inclusion through game development initiatives, events and championships. Visit the websites for further information and contacts.