Golf has never been so popular and now, with advances in playing equipment, it is possible to be enjoyed by disabled and able bodied players alike whether as part of a holiday or at competition level. An adapted golfing buggy allows those players who are unable to walk or to stand for any length of time the opportunity to participate in the sport.
Golfing Tips For Disabled Players Playing from a Seated Position
When playing golf from an adapted golf buggy it will make your game easier, whether you are playing a relaxing game on holiday or at competition level, by following a few basic tips such as these. As fairways are expensive to maintain, it is important to minimise the chance of any damage being caused by your golf buggy. Measures to limit this can include playing with another golfer, who is able to retrieve your ball from areas of wet fairway, where otherwise a golfing buggy risks churning up the grass with its wheels.
In order that play speed be maintained you should tee off from a location that would enable you to reach the green in regulation. It may also be a good idea to have your playing partner tee the ball for you. If you are playing solo try and learn to set up your tee quickly or, if that proves impractical, hit off the ground.
Once having hit your ball get as close as possible to its location in your golf buggy. Even if the slope makes the shot more difficult for you, you should always try and play the ball as it lies, as long as it is safe to do so. You may move the ball to a safer playing location, if conditions dictate it, but it should not improve the condition of the lie or your distance from the ball to the hole.
Once your buggy has been safely positioned you may adjust the ball, with your hand or with your club. It is permissible to take safety relief in situations where your ball would be playable by an able bodied golfer, but difficult or impossible for you.
Bunkers And Other Hazards
Where your ball falls into a bunker or grass slope, where it would be playable by an able bodied golfer, and is not accessible to you, it is possible to have the ball removed from the hazard and drop it with a one stroke penalty. Once removed, the ball can be dropped in any portion of the course, as long as it is not closer to the hole, where you are able to adjust the ball and strike.
Playing Golf When Blind Or Visually Impaired
The caddy of a golfer who is blind or visually impaired plays a vital role by describing the terrain to the player, along with information on direction and distance. In addition the caddy helps line the player up for the desired shot. When on the green the caddy and player work together to assess the distance and borrow from the ball to the pin. This involves pacing from the ball to the pin to determine the strength and line of shot. Blind golfers are governed by R and A rules, except that they are allowed to ground the club in a hazard.