Green shoots: how blind golf can offer hope to older people experiencing sight loss

A stubborn question has lodged itself in the mind of optometrist, practice director and golfer, Neil Donnelly. He knows that up and down the country, optometrists are making small talk with patients about golf. He also knows that many older golfers are losing sight.

What if these optometrists could connect these patients to a network that offers sport, companionship and a sense of community?

“I want every optometry practice to be aware of this,” Donnelly shared with OT.

Over the past three years, Donnelly has provided financial support to England & Wales Blind Golf and acted as a guide for golfers. He has also supported the charity by conducting vision assessments for athletes.

Speaking with OT at 100% Optical, Donnelly highlighted that playing golf alongside those with sight loss made him realise the far-reaching benefits of the sport.

“I was blown away by their stories and the skill involved,” he said.

“I heard from people who had lost their sight in adulthood and were in a very dark place mentally before they found out about golf. These guys were telling me that the work of the charity was definitely saving lives,” Donnelly said.

Blind golf is a team sport where a sighted guide or caddy will assist a golfer with sight loss by acting as the golfer’s eyes on the course.

For example, the guide will describe how the ball is sitting, the distance to the hole, hazards, bunkers, and direction.

OT

Neil Donnelly [right] optometrist and practice director, and Andy Gilford, chair of England & Wales Blind Golf

England & Wales Blind Golf chair, Andy Gilford, shared that the sport is open to people of a range of ages and abilities – from complete beginners to international athletes.

“It’s a community that people can come into and feel part of at all ages,” he emphasised.

The charity organises a series of national fixtures and also has members that compete in international competitions. Regular golf clinics in Widnes, York and Liverpool give people with sight loss the chance to try out the sport.

Bailey Copcutt, 17, started playing blind golf two years ago with his father and guide, Shane Copcutt.

“I enjoy sport but I had never really played it because there wasn’t anything I could learn until I found blind golf,” he said.

He now plays golf once or twice a week and enjoys the chance to spend time outdoors with his father.

I heard from people who had lost their sight in adulthood and were in a very dark place mentally before they found out about golf

Shane said that over time Bailey’s swing has become more consistent, and he is hitting the ball between 180 and 190 yards.

“The lessons are obviously paying off. Hopefully next year we can take part in some competitions,” he said.

While Shane describes to Bailey the direction and flight of the ball after he has hit it, Bailey said that he can often tell how well he has hit it by the sound it makes.

“The sound is more of a high-pitched click when you have hit it properly,” he said.

Guide, John Kennedy, first started volunteering for England & Wales Blind Golf in 1993 after he assisted as a helper and ball spotter at an event at his local golf course.

“I became frustrated by the efforts of some of the [non-golfer] guides who were taking their golfers into gorse bushes and bramble,” he said.

“As a golfer, I would just take the penalty and get out of trouble,” Kennedy said.

At a dinner after the event, Kennedy began talking with a Scottish golfer with sight loss and asked him what he got out of the game.

“He said, ‘Well, the same as you really – the fresh air and the camaraderie. That great feeling through your hands when you hit a good shot’,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy began organising blind golfing events at his local course and has not looked back.

“If you’re like me and you love the game and don’t mind giving up your time, you will get an awful lot out of it. I just love it,” he emphasised.

Optometrists who are interested in finding out more information about England & Wales Blind Golf, or would be interested in volunteering as a guide, can find out more on the charity’s website.