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Among Special Olympics sports golf provides one of the greatest opportunities for our athletes to train and compete
among and alongside their peers in the community. The public setting of a golf course is a great venue for our
athletes to demonstrate their skills and passion for the game. For first time players and those of lower ability,
Individual Skills Contests challenge the athlete to achieve competence in the fundamental skills. For athletes who
possess the skills four other levels of on course play are designed to stimulate and sustain interest in the game.
Currently, over 6,000 athletes participate in 49 US Programs and in 14 nations around the world.
How good are our players?
The program goes to great lengths to provide appropriate competition for a wide range of ability levels. Among the 140 competitors at the inaugural World Games
golf competition at Yale University Golf Course in New Haven, Connecticut in 1995, 19 athletes played a three round tournament of six individual skills contests,
including 4 golfers from Lithuania. Equally compelling were the 42 players who played 54 holes of stroke play, with Andrew White of South Africa capturing the
gold medal in division I with a score of 81-81-80 -- 242.
Athlete Tip
Focus 70% of your practice time on your short game, consisting of shots less than 90 yards. By developing a feel for these shots, through control of distance and
direction you will build fundamentals that apply to full swing shots. In practice on the putting green always hole out so that you see the ball go in the hole.
Coaching Tip
Build your player's game from the short game to the full swing. Success in the short game will serve as building
blocks to a successful full swing. Make short game practice fun by introducing a competitive element such as
counting the number of chip shots out of five that come to rest inside a three foot radius or the number of putts out of
five holed from two feet.
Affiliated Organizations
The PGA of America and the United States Golf Association have been instrumental in helping to develop golf in Special Olympics. The PGA has provided financial
support through their grants program. Equally important is support from PGA golf professionals who provide a wide range of technical support in developing Special
Olympics golf. Tim Wilkins in Ohio, and Nigel Rouse in Colorado are two examples of thousands of professionals who have supported Special Olympics golf since
its inception in 1992. The United States Golf Association has provided financial support and guidance in helping to develop Special Olympics Golf. Special Olympics
golf is played according to the Rules of Golf as approved by the USGA and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club also
endorses Special Olympics golf and is helping to support its growth in Europe.
Coaches
Resources
International Governing
Body:
http://www.randa.org
US Governing Body:
http://www.usga.org
Coaches Golf Guide |
