Disability Golf Taster Day at Southport Golf Academy

 June 2023

 

In conjunction with the Disabled Golf Association National Week of Activity and supported by the Lancashire Union of Golf Clubs a special introductary day was held.

 

There were 2 objectives

1. Introduce and support the concept that there is still the opportunity for individuals and their carers, despite living with any type of disability, to enjoy golf in some or all of its aspects,  under supervision.

2. Introduce our facility and the options available to all charities and care support groups giving them regular group activities. SGA have taken the lead responsibility for organising the event in the North-West and the Disabled Golf Association will have representatives present to discuss their aims. Some DBA members will demonstrate just how they overcame challenges they have faced to now enjoy the game.

 

Here is the statement from the Disabled Golf Association that hopefully gives an insight:

 

“Our focus is on providing low cost golf days for people with impairments and disabilities. We know that sometimes it helps to be with like-minded people who understand where you are at with your disability, so you feel comfortable out on the course or in a social circle.

We are a pan disabled organisation so everyone together – amputees, blind, or deaf golfers, congenital disabilities such as cerebral palsy, fibromyalgia, Down’s syndrome; those with conditions such as MS, arthritis, Parkinson’s, stroke survivors; as well as more young people coming through to join us with autism, ADHD, Tourette’s, hypermobility or global delay – the kind of kids who are often bullied at school who can gain real confidence in life from playing golf.”

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At Southport Golf Academy we believe our range of facilities can be used in many ways to provide a challenge, whatever the level of restriction our clients might have. Just enjoying some supervised time on the driving range, or the putting green for example.

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But its much wider than that, we plan to provide with the assistance of our members, opportunities for clients who can play or learn to play but might need the comfort of a helper on the course. We have players living with Dementia and Parkinson’s for example that just need the watchful eye with someone can play with them.

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We also hope to reach those who are recovering from illness and from injuries, and other operations like knee and hip replacement. Our Performance Institute Coaches are trained to help golfers adapt their game to compensate for example.

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On the day we demonstrated our existing method for special needs groups and allowed our visitors to try each aspect, whilst hopefully showing all the groups represented options they can take back and exploit in the future.

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Following the special day, several groups now use our facility, a further day is planned for Autumn 2024 and new initiatives are taking place to add special equipment to our facility.

 

Call Richard at Southport Golf Academy for more information on 01772 815842. The Academy is at Leisure Lakes just a mile north of Southport at Mere Brow, PR4 6JX