We work at the heart of golf in England, supporting and empowering a thriving community of disabled golfers to get the most out of the sport we love
Our Vision & Purpose
‘Our vision is for golf to be one of the leading sports of choice for disabled people in England’
SAFE - Prioritising safe spaces for disabled golfers across all levels of our sport
INCLUSIVE - Influencing a more inclusive and accessible sport where disabled people feel better represented
SUSTAINABLE - Developing a strong platform for the sustainable growth of disability golf
INSPIRATIONAL - Inspiring future generations of disabled golfers by creating excellent pathways
Definitions & Context…
Our definitions for this framework:
England Golf will refer to disabled golfers or disability golf this plan and our ongoing work, guided by the social model.
Disabled golfers refers to all golfers who have a disability, as defined under the Equality Act 2010, including both physical and mental impairments. When we talk about disability golf, we are referring to a pathway or activity designed explicitly for disabled golfers.
However, we recognise and are mindful that other organisations may choose to use alternative descriptions including golfers with a disability, or golf for the disabled.
Additional context:
EDGA (European Disabled Golfers Association). EDGA are a development partner of The R&A and support the provision of disability golf across 36 national federations.
G4D (Golf for the Disabled). Overarching description used by EDGA across multiple federations. G4D pathway adopts the 10 eligible impairments from the IPC (International Paralympic Committee) classification criteria.
Social Model. Based on guidance from stakeholders in the disability space (Sport England, Activity Alliance and Disability Rights UK), England Golf have adopted wording based on the social model to empower disabled people.
What Success Looks Like…
The wider impacts will include:
• Being recognised as having a leading pathway for elite disabled golfers
• Supporting the ambition to position disability golf on the biggest international stage (Paralympics)
• Using golf as a vehicle to drive and support societal change within disability sport nationally Increasing the number of disabled golfers. playing regularly..
One of the highest sports participation rates in England for disabled people
A network of welcoming and inclusive clubs which support the needs of disabled golfers
A growing talent pool of disabled golfers who are also improving Consistently winning medals at an international level and competing on the last day at events
The Scope / Opportunity…
Why we are investing…
There is huge potential for the growth of the disability golf offer in England whilst also growing the number of disabled golfers.
2021 Census shows 9.32 million people in England have a disability or LTHC (Long Term Health Condition). This equates to 17.7% of the population in England.
And 2.1% (195,720) of disabled people have played a full-length course over the past year.
We know that club membership doesn’t always meet the needs of disabled golfers and we need to also invest in further understanding this market.
Sport England Active Lives Data shows between November 2023-2024, 7.8% of disabled people or those with a LTHC have played some form of golf. This equates to 726,960 people.
There is a clear gap in terms of those potential disabled golfers compared to those who currently engage with the existing disability golf offer.
9,320,000 disabled people in England
726,960 disabled people played some form of golf (23/24)
141,100
320
72
12
EDGA Pass Holders
players in 2025 English Disability Open
players in our England Disability Squad
Developing the Disability Golf Pathway…
Following consultation with internal colleagues and through external support, we have identified three key strategic areas where we plan to invest our focus to develop the disability golf pathway:
Communication & Connectivity
Classification & Competition
Structure
Elite Performance & Our Talent Pathway
Communication & Connectivity…
We will work with our network of stakeholders, clubs and facilities to raise the profile of disability golf and increase our connectivity with the community of golfers. To achieve this, we will focus on:
Stakeholder Connectivity –by creating spaces to engage with organisations who represent or work with communities of disabled golfers to share best practice and collaborate on shared agendas.
Policies & Guidance –by developing effective support for stakeholders on key topics including buggy and transportation and inclusive and accessible facilities to improve the experience for disabled golfers.
Data & Insight –by listening to the views and experiences of the community of disabled people and golfers to better inform the design of our offer moving forward.
Communication –by increasing the visibility of disabled golf across all our channels to ensure disabled people feel included in our sport and provide inspiration for future generations.
Classification & Competition Structure…
We will work with key stakeholders to grow the infrastructure of competitive opportunities for disabled golfers across all levels. To achieve this, we will focus on:
English Disability Open –by continuing to invest in establishing the event as a flagship championship to provide a high-quality ranking event for English players and to use the platform to inspire and showcase disability golf.
Classification & Assessments – by promoting the purpose and process of acquiring an EDGA Player Pass to grow the number of players within the system who are accessing events.
County & Regional Disability Events – by developing guidance and providing support for stakeholders to deliver EDGA sanctioned events to increase the number of opportunities available to players in England.
International Events – by hosting and supporting stakeholders to deliver international standard disability golf competitions to raise the profile of disability golf and leverage opportunities for English players.
Elite Performance & Our Talent Pathway…
We will work to create a world-class pathway to develop and support players to succeed on an international stage. To achieve this, we will focus on:
England Teams –by investing in a dedicated Disability Performance Squad to enhance our team’s chances at major competitions and support players’ individual development.
Talent Identification & Player Development –by creating opportunities for disabled golfers to access performance support, to connect with those who have the greatest potential and to inspire the next generation of England players.
Coach & Instructor Education –by engaging with stakeholders to enhance disability specific training and support to those delivering coaching, to create better experiences and more tailored support for disabled golfers .
Individual Support –by exploring ways to support talented disabled golfers to compete on an international stage and ensure we are representative across all disabilities.
The Change We Want to Create…
Golf can be the most inclusive sport, a game for life, regardless of someone’s background or ability.
We are investing more focus and resource into growing the offer across England to provide more opportunities for disabled golfers, but we know we can’t do this alone.
To achieve this, we want to work with those stakeholders who share our ambition, and through this collective effort, we believe we can create real change that will have a lasting impact for current and future generations of golfers.
For more information please contact: Tom Dobson tom.dobson@englandgolf.org
Should you require this document in an alternative format (e.g., accessible Office 365 version, Easy Read or clear/large print) then please contact pr@englandgolf.org
