How to Set up a New Golf Association

Promoting the Game of Golf to All Persons

IBGA has been successful at developing blind golf in the better off developed countries around the world. We are still learning how to promote the game we love to play globally.

The Ingredients

• A strong administration

• Access to professional training and development

• Members - including Guides

• Regular golf outings

• Financial support

• Ability to fundraise

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Where to Start

A strong administration is usually driven by one or two individuals, committed to the cause. Seek out a champion, most probably a passionate golfer, with the time and energy to take on the challenge of setting up a blind golf association.

Ideally, this person will have already served on a golf committee in a golf club, or a golf society. It is not essential that your national champion is blind or visually impaired, but it helps.

It definitely helps if this person has experience of playing the game to a high standard before losing his or her sight.

Reaching Out for Members

In the first instance, you should try to make contact with golfers who have given up the game due to sight loss. Almost all golfers who lose their sight stop playing the game. They give up their golf club membership, and put the clubs in the shed.

Reaching out to your national blind sport association or national blind association might be more productive than approaching your local golf club.

IBGA has found that by establishing a core group of two or three individuals, and giving them the opportunity to return to the game, can snowball into a larger group of members.

Blind Golf is for Two

As well as seeking out champion golfers it is critical to look for guides. The guide or coach is the person that accompanies the blind golfer on the course, setting up his player, making course management decisions, watching the ball, and being responsible for player safety. Most blind golfers start playing blind golf with a family member as guide. However, as players develop, they can team up with a more experienced golfer.

Around the world, IBGA runs clinics for kids and teenagers, teaching them the skills of golf early. These kids often play other sports, but the rationale is that they might come back to golf later. IBGA is also committed to ensuring that female golfers participate in the game too. Actively seeking out female golfers is encouraged.

Join us on this journey of discovery - we are here to help!

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