Golf Ireland and Vision Sports Ireland Support Golfers who are Blind or Vision Impaired

The video resource and accompanying Blind Golf Guide forms part of Golf Ireland’s Golf4All programme and Vision Sports Ireland knowledge hub, aiming to provide practical guidance to guides, caddies, volunteers and golfers on how to support and play alongside golfers who are blind or vision impaired.   

At the heart of the game is the partnership between the golfer and their sighted guide or caddie. While the golfer executes each shot independently, the guide assists with describing the hole, identifying hazards, supporting club selection, and helping with alignment, distance and terrain.   

This education resource aims to encourage more golfers and clubs to play a role in creating inclusive environments by equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to act as guides and strengthening the pathways available for blind and vision impaired golfers to join their local club.    

Speaking on the launch, EDI Manager with Golf Ireland Deborah Madden stated,   “We were delighted to work with Vision Sports Ireland on the creation of a resource for golfers on how to be a guide for a visually impaired golfer, it’s an important piece of work for the inclusion of visually impaired people in golf, and directly links into Golf Ireland’s Golf4All Programme. Golf is one of the most accessible games for people with disabilities in sport, and this resource is part of our strategic remit to open the game up to as many people as possible.  The Blind Golf Guide also opens up a new aspect of the game for existing golfers. Being a guide for a visually impaired golfer can make you view the course and the game in a totally different way, and help improve your own game. But most of all it helps visually impaired people access golf, and creates partnerships between the sighted and visually impaired communities”     

Education, Training, and Participation Coordinator with Vision Sports Ireland, Sean Poland commented, “Collaborating with Golf Ireland and golfers with a vision impairment in developing a suite of digital resources for new and existing guides and caddies is a huge step forward in achieving our ambition of a society where all people who are blind or vision impaired, regardless of ability, can access sport and physical activity wherever and whenever they choose. This set of resources provides information, rules and practical tips for guiding and caddying golfers who may be blind or vision impaired and is accessible for all golf clubs across the country. These resources will help ensure accessibility to inclusive sport and physical activity opportunities are available within local communities.  

These resources paired with the launch of Vision Sports Ireland’s and Golf Ireland’s Blind Golf Guide Workshop, which took place on Saturday July 11th in The Heath Golf Club, Portlaoise paves the way for more inclusive and accessible sporting opportunities for people who are blind or vision impaired. The workshop focused on vision impairment awareness, effective communication, guiding techniques, shot alignment, and course navigation.