Classification Rules for Golfers with a Disability

Lausanne, Switzerland: The International Golf Federation (IGF) has announced the adoption and publication of the IGF Classification Rules for Golf for Athletes with a Disability, marking the culmination of three years of development and collaboration with organisations across golf and a step in golf’s pathway towards potential Paralympic inclusion.

Developed in close alignment with the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) 2025 Classification Code and accompanying International Standards, the rules establish a consistent international framework for athlete classification at IGF Covered Competitions.

The new rules support fair, meaningful competition by determining eligibility and grouping athletes based on how their impairment affects their ability to perform the tasks and activities fundamental to golf.

Eight sport classes provide competitive opportunities for seated and standing athletes, as well as athletes with vision or intellectual impairments.

Through close collaboration and guidance from the IPC Classification Team, the work has focused on making assessments as objective as possible. The assessment framework draws on clinical evidence, golf bio-mechanics research and specialist technical review to establish standardised tests, measurable criteria and clearly defined protocols that minimise subjectivity and help classifiers apply The Rules consistently.

The IGF recognises the contribution of its Head of Classification, Sam Taylor, along with Associate Professor Emma Beckman, Professor Sean Tweedy, Dr Sean Horan, Ken Berndt and other researchers worldwide whose expertise helped inform the assessment methodology and review of proposed minimum impairment thresholds.

Their work has brought specialist knowledge of Paralympic classification, impairment assessment and sport performance to the development of The Rules.

Special recognition is given to Dr Brad Stenner and Adelaide University for their contribution to the independent psycho-metric review of the validity and reliability of measures used within the IGF classification assessments.

The university examined five clinical assessment measures and found them to have generally acceptable to strong measurement properties, supporting their use within the classification process. This review provides an important foundation for the framework, with further golf-specific research and on-going analysis of athlete data set to strengthen the evidence base.

Athletes undergoing IGF Classification will complete a four-stage process: confirmation of an Underlying Health Condition, assessment of an Eligible Impairment, assessment against Minimum Impairment Criteria, and allocation of a Sport Class and Sport Class Status.

Antony Scanlon, Executive Director of the IGF, said: “Publishing the IGF Classification Rules is an important moment for Golf for Athletes with a Disability and for the sport’s Paralympic aspirations. Classification has to give athletes, officials and member organisations confidence that competition is fair and that decisions are made consistently, wherever an athlete is assessed.

“We are very grateful to the IPC, our Head of Classification, the research community and the many experts who have helped shape this work. These Rules give golf a clearer and stronger foundation to build international competition and to continue demonstrating that the sport is ready for future Paralympic consideration.”

Taylor said: “These Rules aim to eliminate unnecessary subjectivity through a robust, standardised and evidence informed assessment framework, built around clearly defined Minimum Impairment Criteria and the relationship between impairment and the fundamental demands of golf. The result is a far more consistent, transparent and defensible classification system than what existed previously.

“The Rules draw on the best available clinical evidence, golf bio-mechanics, validated assessment methods and expert consultation. This takes golf classification as close to Evidence-Based Classification as the current literature allows, while establishing a scientific framework that can be tested, challenged and refined as targeted research generates new knowledge.”

The Rules also set out procedures for reviews, protests and appeals, supported by requirements for classifier training and the protection of athlete information.

The 2026 Australian All Abilities Open, a 54-hole championship delivered in partnership with Golf Australia at Sandhurst Club in Melbourne from November 11-13, will be the first IGF Covered Competition played under the new rules, putting the framework into practice and providing an important milestone in the development of an international competitive pathway.

Golf Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said the championship represents a defining moment in golf’s Paralympic journey.

He said: “This is one of the most significant milestones in the history of all abilities golf globally and Australia is proud to be leading the way.

“The Australian All Abilities Open will not only showcase some of the best athletes in the sport but demonstrate golf’s potential to advance the Paralympic movement.

“Importantly, this championship sits alongside our expanded domestic all abilities tour, creating more opportunities for all players while building the elite pathway that could take eligible athletes to a potential home Paralympic Games.

“As the most frequently played organised sport for people with a disability, golf is already supporting equality and connection in communities across the country, and events like these provide the inspiration to welcome more people to the sport and show they belong.”

Alongside the introduction of The Rules, the IGF is developing classifier training and certification pathways to support consistent assessment as international competition and classification opportunities grow.

The IGF said the publication reflects its commitment to strengthen opportunities for athletes, build confidence in classification and support golf’s ambition to join the Paralympic Games programme.