The G4D Open

Inspiring on and off the course at The G4D Open

The R&A

16 May 25

Long Read

The entrance gates to The G4D Open at Woburn.

The third staging of The G4D Open at Woburn this week features 80 players from 20 countries, with talented players from as far afield as Canada, USA, Australia and Japan.

But it’s not all about the action over the Duchess Course. Outside the ropes, The R&A, in partnership with the DP World Tour and supported by EDGA, recognise the unique opportunity for golf industry professionals to meet to improve the G4D landscape (golf for the disabled) and continue opening up the sport to more people in an inclusive way, given 16% of the world’s population have a disability. Thanks to the backing of The Duke of Bedford, President of Woburn Golf Club, a strong cohort of national golf federations, decision-makers and coaching and education experts have been invited to this week’s Championship to experience a series of workshops and demonstration events that all share that aim. Demonstration highlights include how golfers with certain medical conditions may be boosted by a new golf gripping tool; how PING is helping G4D players to reach their potential; how PGA professionals can add to their knowledge; and why The R&A Foundation is supporting an NHS Trust to engage with mental health patients, while working with Woburn and The Golf Trust to encourage more wheelchair users into golf. In turn, a series of community golf events show how innovative game formats can be played in non-traditional golf settings such as schools, hospitals and rehabilitation centres.

The G4D Open is taking place at the Duchess Course, Woburn.

Workshop focus

EDGA’s ‘8-Stage Pathway’was presented by Dr Kyle Phillpots, a resource that can inspire organisations to take the steps needed to transform their G4D offer. “The crucial message of the 8-Stage Pathway is that there is a journey that any organisation, at any stage of their development, will likely traverse,” said Dr Tony Bennett, President of EDGA. “It is not necessary to follow each stage in a linear fashion, but we know that every stage is vital to radically improve the G4D offer for their customers of the future. New generations rightly expect greater inclusivity. 8-Stage supports these activities with tools and resources that an organisation can implement to be a leader, rather than the follower.” Expert presentations included an update on the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) – why it is important for the game and how it can be used effectively – led by Elizabeth Moser from The R&A. Sharing knowledge on the competitive pathway opportunities in G4D, from acquiring a golf Handicap Index to competing in world ranked events, was led by Deborah Madden of Golf Ireland, who was joined by the DP World Tour’s Alec Scott, Arnaud Baratcabal from the European Golf Association and Zane Scotland, former European Tour player and a diversity ambassador for The R&A. Zane is also supporting a number of inclusive events during the week.

Brad Smith at The G4D Open. 16 May 2025.

Brad Smith is among the golfers competing at The G4D Open.

Research and education

EDGA’s Dr William Wynter Bee presented on EDGA’s data research, supported by The R&A, to gain understanding of how golfers with a disability can be assisted to reach their performance potential (research with the help of Srixon). How a workforce can be better prepared is a key topic concerning national federations and EDGA’s Head of Instruction and Education Mark Taylor shared insights on a panel with Jim Gough from The R&A, John Bushell, research expert from Sporting Insights, and EDGA’s Tony Bennett (a PGA Master Professional). Canadian G4D player Chris Willis presented a thoughtful study around what G4D means to him. Apart from his skill on the course (he finished third in the men’s overall championship last year) Chris is also a teacher in Ontario and speaks from the heart on why the game can enhance the life of its players.

Encouraging new youngsters

Children with special educational needs and disability (SEND) from a number of local schools are at Woburn thanks to Hertfordshire County Council, the DP World Tour and young people’s charity the Golf Foundation, which is supported by The R&A. The Foundation runs ’Unleash Your Drive’ in 1,000 schools, which helps youngsters with their wellbeing and mental resilience. Its team are running a fun School Games Skills Festival for local school groups who will receive positive learnings as part of each of the eight games they play. Meanwhile, EDGA’s Leah Roelich has been building a legacy project with local schools which has included training their teachers to deliver EDGA’s ‘D3’ easy and safe learning format for their SEND students; with sessions following in school PE sessions before they travel to Woburn to show off their emerging skills (they will also enjoy follow-on opportunities to keep playing). Golfway equipment is used in The R&A-endorsed D3 first-touch learning format which can be used in hospitals, rehabilitation units, the gym or a village hall, and is ideal for new samplers and those with challenging disabilities.

The G4D Open takes place from May 15 - 17.

Working with the NHS to help wellbeing

Leah Roelich welcomed a group of mental health patients from the East London NHS Foundation Trust to try the game. The R&A Foundation donated D3 equipment to the Trust last year and training was given to staff and volunteers. This proved so popular there is an appetite to expand this initiative further across the Trust’s reach. EDGA is also running a training session for 12 PGA Professional Coaches who wish to learn the key coaching considerations to better coach any person with an impairment. EDGA’s ‘Learning from the Edges’ modules are now part of The PGA’s ‘Learn’ platform.

Innovations to create significant change

Koalaa is a specialist company that last year at Woburn introduced a prototype sleeve prosthetic device that children with upper limb difference could use to enjoy their first golf hits. This year, working with EDGA, the innovators are creating a unique hand tool called ‘the Paww’ which is designed to help players with certain medical conditions. A group of invited guests who have varying conditions were invited along to try this innovative prototype. The devices being trialled are only prototypes and will need further testing, working with the relevant authorities. These devices can only be used in competitions where the person has a medical reason to use the equipment and the Committee decides that its use does not give the player any unfair advantage over other players. The R&A Foundation offered its support last year to The Golf Trust charity. People across the area who use a wheelchair are now able to come along and try golf using a state-of-the-art ParaMotion powered device (which lifts the user upwards into a supported position to make a golf swing) and learn about their possible player pathway. The ParaMotion is being used for lessons by Woburn’s PGA professional coaching staff. A session was held by PGA coaches for a number of invited new players to try the game. EDGA’s Mark Taylor has also been working closely with custom-fitting specialist PING who have been looking to innovate to help standard wheelchair users find new ways to hit the golf ball and achieve improvements in their games. These research based sessions included a Q&A session for all involved. Mark welcomed staff from the DP World Tour to take part in a G4D simulation experience to learn more about how physical and sensorial function can be adapted by golfer and coach to improve performance.

Unique platform

Meanwhile, the European Tour Performance Institute truck is on-site, allowing players to access the European Tour group's medical and performance services team. Players can use the knowledge amassed by the Tour’s performance and medical practitioners over the past 20 years, using data from the best players in the world. Kevin Barker, Director – Golf Development GB&I and Africa at The R&A, said: “The G4D Open is a fantastic championship and it’s been great to see it evolve into this third year. This week provides a unique platform to promote G4D, to bring people together, to educate, to collaborate and to encourage. “As well as the wonderful golf on the course at Woburn, there is a comprehensive programme of inspiring activations and events. I offer my grateful thanks to all those involved across various organisations. It’s a special week and with attendance and car parking free of charge for spectators, we welcome and encourage people to come along and see The G4D Open for themselves.” Delegates and spectators can also meet the many volunteers trained by the Woburn team to help ensure the smooth running of the Championship. If you or someone you know want to learn more about the pathway into G4D, please visit www.edgagolf.com

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