Golf – a driving force for good

Sight loss can create barriers and challenges for our veterans with everyday tasks and strip away their confidence, identity and purpose. Discovering or re-engaging in hobbies and interests such as golf can be life changing.

Golf is a sport that can be enjoyed and mastered, no matter your level of sight loss. Our veterans report that it can help reduce feelings of isolation and improve both their physical and mental health.

Some of our veterans gave up golf following sight loss, they believed it was no longer accessible for them but with our support they have discovered that with adaptations they can still enjoy the game. Others have never picked up a golf club in their lives but have been inspired and encouraged by our staff or their fellow veterans to give it a go.

Blind veteran Kev’s love for the sport

Blind veteran Kev has spoken about what golf means to our veterans. He says:

“Isolation is a big thing for many veterans. We can feel our social lives shrink as it isn’t as easy to get out and about. Golf is a very sociable sport; quite often the 18th hole turns into the 19th hole and a few beverages at the bar. 

“Golf is one of those sports where you compete against yourself as much as others, building personal resilience and finding your competitive spirit once again. The gold handicap system means you can play against anyone with any ability, and you can win! 

“Walking around the course is decent exercise and being outdoors is great for positive mental health."

Adaptations

Blind golfers have challenges to overcome but with the support of a guide, often known as a spotter, it is entirely possible.

•    The spotter can help to position you to take your shot
•    The spotter advises on distance to the hole
•    You choose your club and take the swing while the spotter acts as your eyes on the ball.

Support from golf clubs

The support we receive from golf clubs across the country is pivotal in enabling our blind veterans to get involved in the sport. Many golf clubs are becoming more inclusive and are willing to adapt their facilities and activities to accommodate golfers with sight loss.  

Rustington Golf Club and Goodwood Golf Club in West Sussex, Hill Barn Golf Club in Worthing and Dibden Golf Centre on the edge of the New Forest in Hampshire got involved with our most recent golf week.

Golf weeks

In addition to the training and rehabilitation available to our veterans within their communities and at our Rustington Centre, we also offer a series of themed weeks including golf week.

Our last golf week saw 40 applicants apply for ten available places which demonstrates how popular blind golf is among our veterans. The weeks are open to everyone from complete beginners to the more experienced golfer.

Blind veteran Steve attended our last golf week. He says:

“I was not a golfer before, but I have a volunteer organised via the charity who takes me out and I told him that I’d like to give golf a try. We visited the driving range together in October 2024 and I caught the bug.

“I’ve even played my first tournament with the England and Wales Blind Golf Association. I’m black blind in my left eye and I have a guide with me when I play golf to overcome my sight loss. It’s a bit like I’m playing a golf computer game, I’m the golfer on the screen and my guide has the controls saying left or right and telling me how far away the hole is."

Golf clubs fundraising

Harthill Royal Golf Club

This social club was founded in 2001 and encourages members to participate in golf and social activities. Their annual golfing weekend is the highlight of the club calendar and over the last 15 years, their sporting dinners have raised over £300,000 for local and national charities.

Jimmy, Treasurer of Harthill Golf Club, says:

“We heard about Blind Veterans UK via a club member whose daughter works for the charity. After hearing first-hand about the work the charity does in our local area, I looked into the charity in more detail and presented it to our members who wanted to offer their support.

“We raised £400 via our annual sportsman’s dinner. The success of this event is made possible through the generosity of our sponsors, doners and friends.”

Preston Golf Club Ladies Section

The ladies section of Preston Golf Club has selected us as their Charity of the Year for 2026 and will be running fundraising events throughout the year in aid of our blind veterans.

The father of the current ladies captain was supported by our charity until he passed away in 2023 and we were chosen due to the support we gave to him following his sight loss due to macular degeneration.

Sturminster Marshall Golf Club 

Blind veteran Tony is a member of the Sturminster Golf Club and his wife also works in the club kitchen so there are close links to our charity leading them to select us as their Charity of the Year.

On 5 July, they are holding a charity day in which golfing competitions will take place alongside stalls and challenges to help raise money for our charity.