Adaptave Golf
 Some refer to it as adaptive golf, others amputee golf. Regardless of the name, numerous associations exist to aid golfers with physical disabilities to play golf.
As Bob Wilson, Executive Director of the National Amputee Golf Association noted in NAGA’s recent newsletter, “Individuals are losing “parts” daily due to a variety of circumstances”. Bob joined NAGA in 1979 and currently serves as Executive Director. Bob knows from personal experience what is like to lose “parts”. In 1974, he lost both his legs below the knee while serving his country on the USS Kitty Hawk. As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to generate a growing list of amputees, now more than ever, NAGA and organizations like it are needed to help rehabilitate those dealing with the loss of limbs. Golf is widely recognized throughout the medical community as a wonderful tool for those facing rehabilitation. 
Let’s face it golf is an unbelievably difficult game. Each year, legions of new golfers take up the game, unfortunately, just about the same number stop playing each year as well. If the game is that difficult for the able bodied, you can only imagine the challenges faced by the disabled golfer. They must overcome many of the same challenges facing any new golfer, and deal with their disability. Thankfully, golf is one of the few games where you can truly focus on improving your game and, at the same time, enjoy being outside with friends.
From the moment the disabled golfer arrives at the golf course, they encounter numerous obstacles. The course may not have a bag drop, the pro shop may be difficult to reach and access, the golf carts may be difficult to enter and exit. The list goes on. However, once they are on the first tee, disabled golfers savor the thought of a great round just like any golfer.
 NAGA’s First Swing Program does an outstanding job equipping the disabled golfer with many of the tools they need to enjoy the game. Bob Wilson, NAGA’s, executive director, created the First Swing Program in 1988. He designed the program to teach golf to amputees and people with physical disabilities. The program includes classes for golf coaches and instructors that are interested in teaching amputees and disabled golfers how to play the game. In addition, it provides information on how existing equipment (carts, clubs etc) can be adapted to help an amputee learn and enjoy the game. So far, the program has been adopted at 400 sites, 2,000 instructors have graduated and over 9,000 disabled people have received instruction under the program.  I have played in several adaptive golf competitions that allowed able bodied golfers to participate. At first, I was somewhat concerned as to how the adaptive golfers in our foursome would fair on the course. I should have been more concerned about my golf game than theirs! Each time I played with an amputee golfer, their determination to adapt and overcome was an inspiration. I learned more about overcoming adversity during those two rounds than I thought possible. If you have the chance to play in an adaptive golf competition, I strongly recommend that you do so. The camaraderie and chance to see others overcome their personal challenges was nothing short of awesome.
We would like to encourage all Rankmarkers to learn more about NAGA by following the links below.
For more information on the First Swing Program, & NAGA’s Tournament Schedule please visit:
First Swing Clinic
2009 Amputee Tournament Schedule
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