Staff WriterEngland Golf is stepping up to the tee with a bold new drive, offering disabled golfers the chance to represent their country while training like the pros.
As part of a wider Disability Golf Plan set to launch later this year, the initiative gives players with disabilities a direct route to the top tiers of the game, all while wearing the Rose with pride.
Fresh from a silver medal at the 2024 European Team Championship for Disabled Golfers in Germany, the England Golf Disability Squad now gets the keys to the same high-performance kingdom as their able-bodied counterparts—namely, access to the elite coaching and world-class facilities at Woodhall Spa, England Golf’s performance HQ.
The first official squad weekend is set for October, though the all-important Lead Coach is still to be named. One suspects they’ll need the patience of a saint and the swing IQ of Butch Harmon.
But make no mistake—this isn’t just a feel-good gesture with a handicap. It’s a legitimate talent development programme designed to fuel medal-winning performances.
“After two successful campaigns at the European Team Championships for Golfers with a Disability, we have taken the proactive step of introducing the England Disability Squad,” said Steve Burnett, England Golf’s Deputy Performance Director, in a statement delivered with all the subtlety of a perfectly struck 7-iron.
“By having this squad, we hope to inspire golfers with a disability to try and reach their potential and represent their country, where they will not only get access to the best facilities and coaching, but have the opportunity to win medals.”
In other words, this is not a charity case. This is elite sport—and the bar is being raised.
Tom Dobson, England Golf’s Disability Manager, echoed the sentiment with the enthusiasm of a man who’s seen what golf can do for someone’s confidence—and maybe their soul, too.
“Golf is a game for everyone, and we want all aspiring players with a disability to enjoy our sport in whatever capacity they wish, and to challenge themselves to be the best they can be,” Dobson said.
The call to action is clear: players are being encouraged to compete, secure their EDGA passes, and get stuck into a growing circuit that includes the increasingly popular English Open for Golfers with a Disability.
That event alone has seen year-on-year growth since 2023, with no sign of slowing down. It’s not just a tournament—it’s a statement.
Final squad selections will be confirmed after the European Individual Championships in early September. Until then, there’s time to impress, commit, and make the kind of statement that can only be delivered with a well-timed birdie.
Golf is often called the great leveller. Now, thanks to the England Golf Disability Squad, it’s also becoming a launchpad.
