Disability classification in golf

[2] The International Blind Golf Association (IBGA) was established in 1997 at a meeting held in Perth, Western Australia.

The principle of playing is that blind or partially sighted golf players have a sighted coach who assists the golfer in describing distance, direction and characteristics of the hole, and helps with club head alignment behind the ball, prior to the stroke.

Other than the coach, there is only one relaxation to the standard rules: blind or partially sighted golfers are allowed to ground their club in a hazard.

Blind golf competitions are set in classes determined by the golfer's level of sight (see above) using the same categories as in other branches of sports played by the visually impaired.

The Canadian Association uses the same standards as the International Blind Sports Federation, with one exception: level of sight classification is based on acuity only, and not field of vision.

ABG holds annual tournaments and fund raising events in San Antonio, Texas, Wadsworth Ohio and Lompoc California.

Other tournaments sanctioned by the IBGA include National Open events in Australia, Great Britain, Canada, Japan and the United States.

Gardiner was the first disabled golfer to qualify through Q school and play on the PGA Europro Tour.