Working with EDGA on Rules to promote the sport for golfers with disabilities
The R&A
12 Sep 25
4 mins
Working with EDGA on Rules to promote the sport for golfers with disabilities
The R&A has been able to widen its support of the growing G4D (golf for the disabled) tournament structure in recent years – not least in staging The G4D Open from 2023, and making a key change to The Rules of Golf to ensure the game is inclusive to all players. Success through the sharing of expertise has been at the forefront of developments.In 2023, The R&A launched The G4D Open, played at Woburn, in partnership with the DP World Tour and supported by EDGA (formally the European Disabled Golf Association). The landmark global Championship saw by this year 80 players from 20 countries qualifying in nine sport classes, which covered all impairment groups including physical, sensory and intellectual. In the first three years of play, 11 R&A and EDGA Referees have supported the playing field. EDGA is an acknowledged authority in the G4D space, advising organisations including The R&A, DP World Tour, while helping 50 national federations to develop G4D. EDGA sends its own referees to The R&A’s Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminars (TARS) events to widen their refereeing knowledge, while at the same time sharing their own experience of officiating at many EDGA-run badged or supported international tournaments.
‘Modifications for Players with Disabilities’
This exchange of expertise was used as The R&A and the USGA developed and implemented a significant change to the Rules of Golf in 2023 by incorporating the then existing ‘Modifications for Players with Disabilities’ (previously found lying outside the actual Rules) as a Rule in itself – Rule 25 – which is now clearly contained in the Rules for all golfers going forwards.Jim Gough, Rules Manager at The R&A, explains, “It is important that the Rules of Golf do not create barriers for anyone who wishes to play. In 2023, the addition of Rule 25, which means that the Modifications for Players with Disabilities are included within the Rules of Golf by default, rather than being something that a Committee has to ‘opt-in’ to, was an important step forward. Rule 25, just like all other Rules of Golf, is continually assessed to see if any changes or improvements are necessary.”While the Rules apply to all golfers, the Modifications attempt to restore a level playing field, only where necessary, for those who have an impairment which puts them at a significant disadvantage. For example, a visually impaired player being allowed to be lined up for a shot because their impairment prevents them from being able to do so themselves.
Support crucial
The R&A recently guided EDGA Head Referee for Tournaments, Peter Fisher, as he attained The R&A’s Level 4 Advanced Referee Qualification (the top plateau of The R&A’s four-tier Rules education programme).Peter said, “The support from The Rules team at The R&A has been crucial for us. This close contact with The R&A keeps us on-point with all the latest thinking and expertise. And because of our own experience amassed in G4D events, it is a two-way street, and we are delighted to share all that we are learning in G4D with the game’s leading organisations.”Jim Gough added, “Having achieved the Level 4 Qualification for EDGA, Peter will now be able to assess the work of other referees within EDGA who have the experience and potential to also achieve Level 4 status. The aim is to establish more individuals who are capable of working at a consistently high standard for all aspects of administering a championship.”As the G4D tournament scene grows, the role of the referee in supporting its players continues to develop, and partnerships that share knowledge have become a vital ingredient. So too has wider visibility of the Rules for all golfers and creating dynamic opportunities to assist all players in learning them.
Rules of Golf App
In the last decade The R&A has produced myriad ways to absorb the Rules of Golf, including the free R&A Rules of Golf App which is available in 28 languages.The App offers excellent search functionality, provides easy to understand explanations of commonly occurring rules and contains diagrams, animations, quizzes and videos for visual learners. The R&A Level 1 Rules Academy is also a good place to widen knowledge. It’s free to sign-up to and people can start their Level 1 Rules education today. So whether you become a referee, or simply more confident on the golf course, your own game and that of your friends can enjoy lasting benefit for years to come.
