no self classifying in 2024.
Golfers with lower limb impairments
Sport Class G1: The golfers have an impairment affecting one leg, for example an amputation above the knee. They may use a prosthesis or golf on one leg.
Sport Class G2: Golfers in this sport class include those with impairments in the lower parts of one leg, but with less impact on golfing compared to G1. Typical examples are amputations above the ankle or loss of muscle control in one leg or leg length difference.
Sport Class G3: This sport class includes golfers with an impairment in both legs, such as muscle weakness in both legs or double amputation.
Golfers with arm impairments
Sport Class G4: The golfers in this sport class have impairments affecting one arm and either 1) do not use any golf aide or adaptive device to connect to the club, or 2) do not intentionally use the impaired arm when initiating a stroke through striking the ball. At the initiation of the stroke through striking of the ball, there can only be one intentional point of contact on the club. All golfers in this category, must play every stroke during a round of golf with one arm – any aid from an artificial appliance, prosthetic, or part of the impaired arm is not allowed. This category includes limb deficiency, impaired passive range of motion and impaired muscle power related to the arm.
Sport Class G5: The golfers in this sport class have impairments affecting one arm and either 1) use a golf aide or adaptive device to connect to the club or 2) use the impaired arm at any time in the swing between when initiating a stroke through striking the ball. At the initiation of the stroke through striking the ball, this class is allowed to have two points of intentional contact on the club while striking the ball for any stroke during a round of golf. This category includes limb deficiency, impaired passive range of motion and impaired muscle power related to the arm.
Sport Class G6: This sport class is designated for athletes with impairments in both arms that prohibit them full use of the golf club. Golfers, for example, have missing hands or cannot grip firmly the club properly. Therefore, you may see them using an adaptive golf tool.
Golfers with combined impairments in arms and legs
Sport Class G7: This sport class is designed for golfers who have an impairment in arms and legs. Some of the G7 golfers have mild coordination problems in all extremities. Others have amputations affecting at one arm and one leg.
Sport Class G8: Athletes with Neurological Conditions and Coordination Impairments. Abnormal increase in muscle tension and a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch, lack of co-ordination of muscle movements, unbalanced, involuntary movements and a difficulty in maintaining a symmetrical posture due to a neurological condition, such as cerebral palsy, brain injury or multiple sclerosis.
Sitting Golfers
All sitting-golfers have an impairment affecting their legs. They are allocated different sport classes depending on their trunk control, which is very important for golf.
Sport Class G9: Golfers have an impairment that limits their leg and trunk function. They would be unable to sit without supporting himself or herself with the arms, for example due to paraplegia.
Sport Class G10: Golfers in this sport class have near to normal trunk control.
Golfers with Visual Impairments
Sport Class G11: No light perception, or light perception which is not functional, central or peripheral, with or without light projection, up to the inability to differentiate between a blank sheet of white paper and a sheet of white paper with a black symbol on it. (The black symbol is displayed on the IBGA/USBGA Sight Form and is used as part of the exam.) IBGA Classification – B1
Sport Class G12: From the ability to recognize the shape of a hand up to visual acuity of 20/600.. IBGA Classification – B2
Sport Class G13: From the visual acuity above 20/600 up to visual acuity of less than 20/200. IBGA classification – B3
To ensure safety all vision impaired participants must use a caddy.
Short In Stature
Sport Class G14 – Athletes with short stature compete in this sport class