Blindengolf – Golf for the visually impaired and blind
Blind golf - is that possible?
As unbelievable as it sounds, blind and visually impaired people can also play golf. With small adjustments, golf is no longer a problem for people with a visual impairment. Since the German Blind Golf Club was founded, golfers have also taken part in tournaments.
Basically, the same rules apply to blind golf as to regular golf. A few exceptions are described in the regulations of the German Golf Association (DGV). The blind golfer's coach or caddy makes up for the lack of sight. The coach indicates the direction of the next hole and puts the golfer in the right position. After the blind golfer makes his shot, the coach describes the shot, shot length, and ball trajectory.
If the ball is in the immediate vicinity of the green, the coach goes to the hole and rattles the flag. This acoustic signal tells the blind golfer the position of the hole. The coach and golfer then walk the distance from the ball to the hole together. In this way, the blind golfer notes the conditions on the green and discusses any breaks with his coach. Before the actual putt, the coach takes a bearing on the putt line and instructs the blind golfer on how to play the club. As in regular golf, the ball should fall into the hole on the first putt.
Blind golf – if you can't see, you have to feel
Those who cannot see must feel and make better use of all other remaining senses. Blind and partially sighted golfers are still an exception on the golf course, although golf is considered the ideal form of active therapy.
The visually impaired golfer always plays a stationary ball. He can therefore act and does not have to react as in other ball sports such as squash or tennis. This fact alone brings a sense of achievement and thus zest for life and more quality of life. In the first few hours of training, the blind golfer even has a lot ahead of the sighted golfer. The sighted golfer concentrates too much on the ball and plays tensely. The result is a rather cramped shot after the ball instead of a harmonious swing. The blind golfer, on the other hand, pays much more attention to his movement.
GOSWO training for sighted and visually impaired golfers
GOSWO offers sighted and visually impaired golfers a reference level or a reference corridor. Both golfers cannot visually follow the golf swing, but both golfers receive feedback when touched. However, since the blind golfer concentrates more on his movement, there is a much greater and faster learning effect. Here sighted golfers can learn something from blind golfers. Very often one hears the expression: "I'm doing this blindly". Well then try an upswing in the GOSWO corridor blindfolded. You will be amazed how this fails.
But our brain learns quickly. A constant GOSWO training of a few minutes a day helps to achieve a better swing path. Our brain and muscle memory bring the racquet closer and closer to the ideal line.
