Medical Classification for Tournaments
We welcome anyone to join SADGA and learn to play and enjoy the game of golf. However, it is important to note that to be able to qualify for any South African disabled golf tournament you need to:
- Be a member of a golf club
- Have an official golf handicap
- Be medically eligible according to the SADGA medical eligibility
If you are interested in taking part in a disabled golf tournament, please fill in the appropriate report below and submit to us at: SADGA
Fax: 086 6046888
Email: info@sadga.co.za
Instructions for filling in the report can be found on the following links:
Visually Impaired Classification Form -PDF of attachment downloaded
https://www.sadga.co.za/sites/default/files/IBGA%20Sight%20Form%20%281912%29.pdf
Physically Disabled Medical Eligibility Form:
https://www.sadga.co.za/sites/default/files/MEDICAL%20ELIGIBILITY%20REPORT%20SADGA.rtf__0.pdf
Qualifying factors for participating in disabled golf tournaments:
- The only requirement is to decide whether the disability is severe enough to qualify for the competition based on the issue if it is really a lot more difficult for the person to play golf than anyone else.
- Qualifying factors for participation are the types and the magnitudes of impairment with regard to leg range of motion and strength, grip, arm length, two hands, shoulder range of motion and strength, elbow range of motion and strength, back range of motion, vision, balance and neurology.
- Major impairment in any of these functions, or in combinations, will qualify for participation.
- If a player, previously approved, for any reason has a changed impairment, it must be reported to the authority giving the licence immediately.
Muscle Testing
Power scale
0 - Total lack of voluntary contraction
1 - Faint contraction without any movement of the limb (trace, flicker)
2 - Contraction with very weak movement through full range of motion when gravity is eliminated
3 - Contraction with movement through the complete joint range against gravity
4 - Contraction with full range of movement against gravity and some resistance
5 - Contraction of normal strength through full range of movement against full resistance
Spasticity Grade Scale for Muscle Tone (spasticity/stiffness)
Ashworth scale
0 - No increase in tone
1 - Slight increase in tone giving a ‘catch' when the limb is flexed or extended
2 - More marked increase in tone, but limb is easily flexed
3 - Considerable increase in tone with passive movement difficult
4 - Limb rigid in flexion or extension
Disabilities qualifying for disabled golf:
Disability |
Qualification |
Amputees |
|
Amputees of lower limbs and leg length |
Amputee of any part of the Lower Limb with minimal disability to be eligible as follows:
|
Amputees of upper limbs and arm length |
In a grip the primary fingers are the thumb, index finger and middle finger. Amputee of any part of the Upper Limb with minimal disability to be eligible as follows:
|
Joint and Muscular disorders |
|
Hip |
|
Knee |
|
Ankle |
If the only disability is a stiff ankle, the player is not eligible for DISABLED GOLF.
|
Grip |
Complete lack of grip on one side due to joints stiffness or lack of muscle power and function will be eligible but the final decision is made by the classification team. |
Wrist |
|
Shoulder |
|
Elbow |
|
Back and Neck range of motions |
|
Neurological disorders |
|
|
Neurological disorders with impairments such as spasticity tested according to Ashworth Scale, athetosis or other impairments that cause severe difficulties to perform a normal golf swing will be eligible as follows:
|
Permanently Wheelchair Bound |
|
|
The player permanently in a wheelchair with a normal grip and swing in at least one hand and arm is eligible for disabled golf. The player must have a helper to push him between shots. |
Mental Capabilities, Cardiopulmonary Disorders and Normal Ageing |
|
|
DO NOT qualify for DISABLED GOLF. |
Changed Impairment |
|
|
If a player, previously classified, for any reason has a decreasing impairment it must be reported and the player must be re-classified before the next disabled golf competition the player wishes to compete in. |