The U.S. Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA) is a national coalition of 40 adaptive golf organizations with one mission, “to make playing golf a reality for 20 million physically disabled individuals who want to play.”
Through the USAGA member associations work together to conduct a series of tournaments, provide instruction and serve individuals across all disability types.
Regardless of current health, physical, mental, sensory capability and wellbeing of the individual, the USAGA introduces the game and encourages everyone to play. They modify the rules and equipment to fit each individual need to allow people with disabilities to become involved. 
There are several benefits for the physically impaired to take up golf. The swing can improve balance, as well as hand-eye coordination. It can improve decision making, increases endurance, as well as range of motion. Being involved in a physical activity, like golf, builds strength, improves self-esteem, plus as one of the USAGA members told us, “being out there makes me feel normal.”
According to the 2010 US census bureau, nearly 19% of the population has some type of disability.
In a study conducted by Indiana and Clemson Universities:
- 10 % of persons with a disability play golf.
- 22 % of those with disabilities played golf before incurring their disability, but are not playing now.
- 35 % of individuals with disabilities are interested in learning, but are not currently playing golf.
The study also identified key factors why those 35 percent would like to play, but are not:
- 33 % are uncomfortable playing in front of others.
- 31 % believed that the course staff would not know how to assist them.
- 36 % said that they needed a better understanding of the fundamentals of golf.
- 38 % stated a need for lessons specific to their disability.
Instruction
With the instruction available through the USAGA member organizations, they are trying to meet these concerns. USAGA Adaptive Golf coaches work with participants on fundamentals such as balance, posture, setup and swing path. USAGA clinics use regular and adapted golf equipment to best fit the needs and abilities of the participants.
A list of instructional clinics can be found at the USAGA website by clicking on the Clinics tab.
Note to Golf Instructors: if you would like to become more involved and help teach physically disabled golfers learn more by contacting USAGA’s Director of Golf Operations, Jonathan Snyder, at jsnyder@usaga.org
Competition
The U.S. Adaptive Golf Alliance hosts a series of golf tournaments around the country that culminate with the National Adaptive Golf Association’s (NAGA) National Amputee & Disabled Golf Championships and the 32nd NAGA National Senior Amputee Golf Championship that will be held October 24th-28th at Celebration Golf Club in Celebration, Florida.
The USAGA works with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to assign a fair handicap rating system that takes into account the individual athlete’s particular disability. As a result, USAGA has identified and defined 14 different sport classes by which golfers with disabilities are ranked.
The USAGA Golf Ranking System (USAGR™) allows equitable scoring at USAGA sanctioned events.
From their annual series of tournaments each year the top players are recognized and national para-golf teams are chosen for international competitions.
The Cairns Cup: A Disability is Not Inability
The Cairns Cup is one such international golf tournament featuring serious golf competition for physically challenged golfers.
It sprang from the 2018 Phoenix Cup, which was held in Florida. Billy Cairns was a member of the European Team, but unfortunately died soon after arriving in Florida for the competition.
The emotions created by his death and the camaraderie between the two sides led to the matches being held biennually. The 2022 Cairns Cup was just completed, May 7-14 at the Seve Ballesteros designed Shire Club in London, England.
The Ryder Cup style format includes team and singles matches. Team USA prevailed for the win, but that is not the most important thing in this golf tournament. Two 16-man teams comprised of physically disabled golfers came together in a friendly competition. All the competitors play hard, but are happy to be involved and to compete.
To watch a promotional video about the Cairns Cup click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWfBtw_q3uY
The 2024 Cairns Cup will be held at The Fortress Golf Club in Frankenmuth, Michigan.
Golfers come in all shapes, sizes and abilities. The USAGA is working to provide a place for individuals with disabilities a chance to learn, compete and enjoy an athletic endeavor.
A Disability is NOT Inability
