Perceived Facilitators and Barriers to Participation in Golf for People With Vision Impairment: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to identify facilitators and barriers to participation in vision impaired golf.

Design: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 vision impaired golfers, 10 guides, and 5 novices during the British VI Golf Open tournament in August 2021.

Results: Qualitative content analysis identified the benefits, facilitators, and challenges of playing vision impaired golf. The role of guides and future developments of the sport were furthermore identified. The benefits extend beyond those related to health, including personal development and a sense of purpose for players and of reward for guides. Facilitators were largely organizational and having appropriate support and a guide. The challenges to playing and guiding were practical, financial, and logistical. The need to attract a more diverse range of players, along with a reconsideration of the eligibility criteria, was central to the perceived sustainability of vision impaired golf.

Conclusions: These results highlight the practical, financial, and logistical challenges contributing to vision impaired golf activity limitations and participation restrictions. Because of the health, personal, and psychosocial benefits, ways of providing practical, financial, and support networks to facilitate engagement in vision impaired golf should be sought. An evidence-based, sport-specific eligibility system was thought to be critical for the future promotion of vision impaired golf.