Welcome to the South African Blind Golf Association
Golf is a sport which can be played by anyone regardless of age, gender, physical ability or disability. Most people may believe it is essential to have good eyesight to play golf, but that is not the case. Totally blind and severely visually impaired golfers all around the world, with the assistance of their sighted guides, are able to enjoy the friendship, exercise and challenge the game provides
Through the golf handicap system it is possible for blind and visually impaired golfers of varying abilities to compete against each other, as well as compete against fully sighted golfers.
Golf for the visually impaired
Visually impaired golfers are classified into one of three sight categories for competitive play with each category being permitted different maximum handicaps (determined by the International Blind Golf Association) as follows:
- Category
- B1
- B2
- B3
- Visual Acuity
- Totally Blind
- Less than 2/60
- Less than 6/60
- Max. Handicap
- 54
- 45
- 36
As you can imagine the role of the sighted guide is crucial to the success of the blind golfer. The sighted guide will assist the golfer with alignment, club selection and the reading of greens.
The rules of golf as applied to blind golfers are the same as those for other golfers, except for:
- Blind golfers may have a guide in addition to a caddie it they so wish (although the guide normally also acts as the caddie)
- The guide is allowed to remain behind the golfer (on the extension of the line of play) during the player’s shot and
- Blind golfers are permitted to ground their clubs in hazards.
The modified rules of golf for golfers with disabilities (published by the R&A) can be downloaded here.
On this website you will be able to learn more about the sport, read about the achievements of our members, find out what events are upcoming, as well as see who our generous sponsors are.
If you, or someone you know, is interested in learning more about blind golf please do not hesitate to contact us or follow some of the links from this website.
The International Blind Golf Association (IBGA)
Although there have been blind golf tournaments held since the early 1950’s the International Blind Golf Association (IBGA) was only officially founded in 1998. This came about through the efforts of Dr. Haruhisa Handa (now Honorary President of the IBGA) who arranged meetings in Australia and the United States which resulted in bringing together six countries that were each following their own programme. The number of member countries has grown steadily ever since.
Currently there are over 500 registered IBGA players and many more playing who are not yet registered. The number is growing all the time.
Sponsors
We would like to express our sincere thanks to our sponsors.