Written by: Darin Green, Senior Director of Rules & Competitions
Last weekend the FSGA conducted our 2nd Annual Florida Adaptive Open at Innisbrook Resort on their famed Copperhead Course. Over 55 players from around the world with specific disabilities came to Palm Harbor to compete in our 36-hole championship. After two days, two overall winners were crowned along with 11 division winners across multiple impairment categories (Upper Limb Impairment, Lower Impairment, Seated Players, Neurological Impairment, Vision Impairment, etc.). See more on the Florida Adaptive Open HERE.
Rule 25 – Modifications for Players with Disabilities was added to the Rules of Golf several years ago which modify several rules for certain players with disabilities. Nearly all of these modifications to the Rules of Golf make perfectly clear sense given the impairment of the players. Below are several rules that came into play at the Florida Adaptive Open.
Vision Impairment Players (Rule 25.2)
There were three players in the field with vision impairments and they are allowed to have both a caddie and an aide. They caddie or aide is allowed to mark, replace, place, and drop a ball for the player. The caddie or aide may set down an object to help to the player aim in the correction; however, that object must be removed before the stroke is made. They caddie or aide is also allowed to stand behind the player when the stroke is made (known as standing in the restricted area).
When a vision impairment player is in a bunker, there is no penalty if they touch the sand in a bunker.
Amputee Players (Rule 25.3)
Amputee players may use a prosthetic device and, if needed, the player may anchor the club to their body while making a stroke.
When an amputee player is required to drop, place or replace a ball, they are allowed to authorize someone else to do it for them. In addition, when a ball is required to be replace (like on the putting green after marking and lifting), the player roll the ball into position with a club or other device.
Seated Players Using Mobility Devices (Rule 24.2)
There were five seated players in the field and they are allowed to have a caddie and an aide to assist them during the round.
Similar to players with vision impairments, seated players may have their caddie or aide mark, replace, place, and drop a ball for the player.
Similar to amputee players, seated players may anchor their club if needed to make a stroke.
When a seated player takes lateral relief from a red penalty area, or the two club-length relief option for an unplayable ball, the seated player’s relief area is measured using up to four club-lengths to account for their mobility device which takes up more space.
If a seated player is in a bunker and chooses to take unplayable ball relief outside the bunker using the back-on-the-line relief option, the player only incurs a one-stroke penalty.
When using a mobility device, it is very difficult to perfectly situate the device for a stroke, so the Committee adopted Model Local M-1 which allows a seated player to roll, or have someone place, their ball up to about six inches from the original spot to a spot for their stroke.
The Committee identified eight bunkers around the course that were either too small for a mobility device to safely enter and position for a stroke, and other bunkers were there were spots that allowed a mobility device to safely enter and exit the bunker. We placed a blue stake next to those bunkers which identified them as ground under repair for seated players which allowed a seated player to take free relief from those specific bunkers (Model Local Rule M-3).
The Committee also adopted Model Local Rule M-4 which is “Limited Relief for Ball in Bunker for Players Using Wheeled Mobility Devices.” This Local Rule allows a seated player to move their ball into a safer area in the bunker if their ball was positioned in a spot in the bunker that the mobility could not reach, or it was dangerous to reach.
Fun Fact – Dennis Walters (seated player), from Jupiter, shot 74 in the second round to beat his age and take home the victory in his division.
Neurological and Intellectual Impairment Players
These players were also allowed to have a caddie and aide assist them during play.
Please click on these links for more on Rule 25 and the Florida Adaptive Open.
