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The National Alliance for Accessible Golf ("Alliance") is an organization working to ensure the opportunity for all individuals with disabilities to play the game of golf. The Alliance is represented by major golf organizations in the United States, organizations that provide services for people with disabilities, and others who advocate for the inclusion of people with disabilities into society. Through GAIN (Golf: Accessible and Inclusive Networks) and other programs, the Alliance promotes inclusion and awareness to the golf industry, golf instructors, and the public.
Accessible Golf at a Glance
According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2002 survey, there are approximately 51 million Americans with some form of disability. This includes 18% of the total U.S. population. In other words, almost 1 in 5 U.S. residents has a disability.
According to a study conducted by the National Center on Accessibility at Indiana University in cooperation with Clemson University:
- 10% of persons with some disability now play golf.
- 22% of those with disabilities played golf before incurring their disability, but are not playing now.
- 35% of individuals with disabilities are currently not playing golf, but are interested in learning.
The study identified key factors for why those 35% of the people with disabilities would like to, but were not playing golf, and found that:
- 33% felt uncomfortable about playing in front of others.
- 31% believed that the course staff did 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.
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