Blind Golf
What is blind golf?
Blind golf is becoming a popular sport worldwide and is continuing to grow within South Australia. The international body for blind golf was formed in 1998 and has grown from the 6 countries that first attended the World Blind Golfers Conference to the now 18 members and associate members, including Australia. Below are some adaptations that can be made for students or athletes with vision impairment when playing golf.
Blind golf does not differ greatly from mainstream golf and with the exception of a few minor rules follows the same rules produced by the ‘Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews’.
Blind golf relies heavily on the team work between the caddy and the golfer. While the caddy’s role is limited in mainstream golf, the caddy and golfer make a team in blind golf. In the lead up to any shot the caddy is able to describe the position of the hole to the blind golfer, indicate the direction they should aim their shot, help position the golfer to the correct line and even align the club to the ball to support the golfer to hit the ball. Once the golfer is about to take their swing the caddy must remove themselves and allow the golfer to independently swing the club.
Other small adaptations are also allowed, including the caddy being allowed to stand in the line of the shot, and the golfer grounding their club in a hazard without penalty.
Caddy supporting the blind golfer by aligning the wood to the ball sitting on the tee.
Caddy supporting the blind golfer by aligning the iron to the ball on the grass.
Caddy supporting the blind golfer by aligning the putter to the ball on the grass.
Caddy standing in line with the hole in order to communicate the position of the hole.
Classification information
To play blind golf beyond a social level, state or national championships, athletes must have a classification of either B1, B2 or B3 (see below for more information). However, Blind Golf SA welcome all people with vision impairment, whether they have a classification or not, to come and take part in their sessions.
In South Australia it is possible to get a classification by booking time with the Royal Society for the Blind or Health2Go at Flinders University. Please visit the classification section of this website for more information.
Below are the classifications set out by the International Blind Sports Association.
B1 Classification
No functional vision for sport, including those with no light perception, and those with light perception but unable to see hand shape from any distance.
B2 Classification
Visual field of less than 5% or visual acuity from hand movement to 2/60.
B3 Classification
Visual acuity ranging from 2/60 to 6/60 or visual field of 5% to 20%.
Equipment
The equipment used in blind golf is no different to that used in mainstream golf and while safety in group sessions can be a concern, placing clear and structured boundaries around student placement and timing of swings makes it a very safe sport to pursue.
Like most sports increasing the size and surface area of the equipment can help increase accuracy. So when introducing golf it may help the student or athlete with vision impairment to learn to swing a club with a tennis ball over the smaller golf ball. Once the movement is fluid and consistent it would then be possible to return to the official golf ball.
Size comparison between a golf and tennis ball.
How can I be involved?
The blind golf community in South Australia is very friendly and welcoming to all new athletes. If you would like to join and be involved please feel free to contact either the SA School and Services for Vision Impaired or Blind Golf SA for further information.
SA School and Services for Vision Impaired
If you would like more information on the blind golf program at SASSVI or in South Australia please contact:
Andrew Whisson (PE Teacher at the SA School and Services for Vision Impaired)
Phone Number: +61882775255
Blind Golf South Australia
If you would like more information on blind golf in South Australia please contact:
Cameron Reid
Email: blindgolfsa@gmail.com
Visit: https://www.facebook.com/BlindGolfSouthAustraliaInc/
Blind Sports SA
If you would like more information on opportunities in Blind Sports in South Australia please contact:
Kent Dredge (Sports Development Officer)
Email: kent.dredge@blindsportssa.org.au
Visit: blindsportssa.org.au
A short video from the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) introducing the game of blind golf and demonstrating some of the skill shown at the national championships in May 2021.
More information
For more information contact your advisory teacher or Andrew Whisson (PE Teacher at the SA School and Services for Vision Impaired) for more information.