EDGA – The potential of golf for the disabled

In 2025, EDGA commissioned Sporting Insights to undertake a programme of research to help establish the potential of golf for the disabled.

The primary objectives of this research were to provide EDGA with robust evidence to support strategic decision making, to aid discussions with golf’s stakeholders, and help them with making a compelling case for the inclusivity of golf for the disabled.

The research provided key insights for EDGA, including:

The economic contribution of golf for the disabled.
The challenges and barriers that face golfers with disabilities, including things like cost, awareness, accessibility, adaption, and attitudes in golf clubs.
The scope for expansion and the potential reach if accessibility barriers were removed.
How golf is perceived as a sport for people with disabilities and explore how it compares with other key sports
The motivations and benefits of participating in sport for people with disabilities.

Over 2,000 diverse voices contributed to the research, including a nationally representative sample, a specialist panel of people with a mental or physical health condition, and many golfers with a disability.

"The research strengthens the message we have promoted for 25 years. It provides us with robust, independent evidence to present to the golf industry, including national federations, PGAs, golf clubs and others, demonstrating the economic opportunity that golf for disabled people offers. It also supports the practical guidance we provide on how golf can best support disabled golfers and grow this important, but too often overlooked, segment of the sport. The advice from Sporting Insights will play a key role in future campaigns and messaging.”

Tony Bennett

President, EDGA

Key findings

Overall, it is estimated that there are around 1.3 million people with disabilities, health conditions or learning differences currently engaging with golf in some way in the UK.

Within this, it is estimated that there are around 362K regular on course golfers with a disability that deliver to the sport an economic value of around £304m.

Golf has the potential to increase the levels of engagement and participation of people with disabilities, health conditions or learning differences.

Estimates suggest that golf could engage up to 1.7 million people with disabilities, health conditions or learning differences. Regular golfer numbers could increase to 476K.

This uplift would have an additional economic value to the sport of around £96m for regular golfers and £265m for casual and regular golfers combined.

“Having attended the G4D Open over the last few years, I have found the levels of skill, and the overcoming of disability challenges, awesome and inspiring. In discussions with Tony and the EDGA team, we hypothesized that the overall levels of spend of a golfer with a disability would be greater than those without a disability, and that there was also a significant likelihood of golfers with a disability to bring in friends and companions. So, between EDGA and Sporting Insights, we decided that rather than this be a hypothesis, can we prove and measure this. This resulted in the programme for EDGA. Also, measuring the potential interest amongst individuals with a disability that do not play golf – and interest in investigating or trying the sport – was of importance and value. This resulted in the programme that Sporting Insights has completed with EDGA. The results are very important for the sport and the golf market overall. We are delighted to have been part of the programme.”

John Bushell

Managing Director, Sporting Insights

What's next for EDGA?

Of course, economic value is only part of the equation, and the intangible value of golf to individuals is equally important. In November 2025, EDGA announced the launch of a new “You Can” campaign to empower golfers with disabilities. Built not as an add-on to a standard golf campaign, but as a from scratch initiative by-and-for the G4D (Golf for the Disabled) community, every image, message, and story is drawn from real players and their lived experiences. It highlights the diversity of disability, not just the most commonly represented, and brings to life the barriers, breakthroughs, and benefits that only those with first-hand experience can truly articulate.

The campaign will reach potential future golfers with a disability where it matters most: including in rehabilitation centres, hospitals, and community spaces. Thanks to its adaptable branding, the programme has potential application across the EDGA geographical reach with member countries able to tailor the messaging while staying aligned to the central campaign.

Ultimately, the programme adds further visibility and authenticity to EDGA’s communications, helping support the growth and capacity of national federations as they work to attract individuals with a disability to the game of golf.

“This research provides critical findings for golf and shines a light on the value and importance of pathways for those with disabilities, health conditions or learning differences. We can clearly see the benefits of golf on health and mental well-being and it is great to see that the sport is viewed as suitable for people with these conditions. But there are key factors that make it more challenging for those with disabilities to take part. This research will help EDGA in its mission to overcome the challenges and grow participation even further.”

Vikki Zeila

Senior Research and Insights Manager, Sporting Insights

EDGA (formerly the European Disabled Golf Association) is a not-for-profit, volunteer organisation, active in the promotion and delivery of opportunities to sample, participate and compete in golf. EDGA provides advice relating to golf for disabled players to The R&A, The International Golf Federation, The European Tour, The Ladies European Tour and The European Golf Association on golf for the disabled.

Focusing on growing the game, EDGA has designed and implemented coach education programmes for delivery in rehabilitation centres, hospitals and golf clubs. All of these initiatives are available to the members of EDGA, as are protocols for tournament administration, definitions of impairment and other programmes which are available to grow the number of golfers with disability around the world. https://www.edgagolf.com/web24/

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