Golf

athlete swinging a golf club

The Special Olympics Golf program is centered on two educational phases designed to encompass all skill levels: learning to swing a golf club and learning to play the game. Athletes may participate in Individual Skills or 3, 6, or 9 hole rounds. There is also a Unified Golf Option which pairs an athlete with a partner of their choosing to compete as a team. Partners can be anyone who does not have an intellectual disability. See our Unified sports section for more info on Unified Golf.

School District 54 offers:

Individual Skills – Entry-level athletes are tested for six skills similar to on-course play, including a wood shot, an iron shot, a pitch shot, a chip shot, a long putt and a short putt.

3, 6, or 9 hole golf for the more advanced golfer. Depending on their level they can compete in 3, 6 or 9 hole golf rounds.

Golf Facts

  • Golf made its debut at the 1995 Special Olympics World Summer Games in New Haven, Connecticut, USA.

  • 119 athletes from 12 Programs competed in golf at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland.

  • As of the 2005 Special Olympics Athlete Participation Report, 13,916 Special Olympics athletes compete in golf.

Registration is open in May and the season runs until mid-July.

Subscribe to the Golf Individual Skills Calendar: Golf Skills

Subscribe to the 3-6-9 Hole Calendar: 3-6-9 Hole Golf Calendar