Team Navy Road to the Warrior Games Featured Sport: Golf

WASHINGTON -- In this series, we will explore each of the twelve sports that will be featured during the Department of Defense (DoD) Warrior Games: archery, cycling, field, golf, indoor rowing, powerlifting, shooting (precision air sports), sitting volleyball, swimming, track, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.

During the DoD Warrior Games, golf is an “open classification” sport. However, teeing locations are adjusted based upon gender, physical impairment category, and other athlete variables. Male and female athletes compete separately in the individual competition.

As of 2019, approximately 24.3 million people played golf in the US, and a total of over 107 million people played, watched or read about golf.

Whether you’re a competitive golfer or someone who casually golfs with friends, knowing the three pre-swing fundaments is imperative to success on the course – grip, aim and setup.

GRIP – To get your grip right, it’s important to hold the club in your fingers, not in your palm.
AIM – Most golfers don’t line up to their target, so they try to correct the ball’s pathway in their swing. Learning to line up properly? Here’s a tip: Place two golf clubs on the ground about 18 inches apart, pointing them at your target. Keep your swing between the two clubs.
SETUP - It’s important to soften your knees and focus on hinging forward from the hips with your weight on the balls of your feet. Whereas, the incorrect way would be to act like you’re sitting in a chair, squatting down too much with your knees. This position keeps your weight on your heels, and not on the ball of your feet.

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From an overview of golf’s origins to your chances of getting a hole-in-one, here is a list of six facts to know.

Sport Origin: Golf has been around for more than 600 years and its evolution is ongoing. The modern form of golf was developed in Scotland during the Middle Ages. However, the game did not find international popularity until the late 19^th century, when it spread to the rest of the UK and British Empire, and then the US.
Paralympics & Olympic History: In May 1899, the Olympics Organizing Committee confirmed that golf would be included in the 1900 Olympics in Paris, France. The inaugural golf tournament in 1900 was won by Charles Sands of USA, with scores of 82 and 85. After more than a century, traditional golf was instated during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Currently, golf is not an official sport at the Summer Paralympics.
Warrior Games Competition Style: During the Department of Defense (DoD) Warrior Games, the golf competition is a single event. At Warrior Games, golf is an “open classification” sport. However, teeing locations are adjusted based upon gender, physical impairment category, and other athlete variables. Male and female athletes compete separately in the individual competition. With team composition, there can be any combination of gender and physical impairment. The combined Individual Competition scores of the top three athletes determines the Team Competition results.
Golf Classification: Sport classification is a system that provides a level playing field for athletes competing in adaptive sports. The DoD Warrior Games will offer athletes the ability to compete individually. Teeing locations are adjusted based upon gender, physical impairment category, and other athlete variables. The combined Individual Competition scores of the top three athletes determines the Team Competition results.
What is Your Chance of Making a Hole-in-One? The hole-in-one. It’s what all golfers strive to achieve. Struggling to get one? Don’t worry – you’re not a bad player. The odds are against you. There’s a 12,500 to 1 chance an average golfer will make a hole-in-one. Even professional golfers go their whole career without ever making one!
Golf Balls Production Process: Originally, golf calls were made of feathers and leather. Manufactures would wet the features and wrap them around the leather. This helped the features dry around the leather. Imagine hitting a leather ball across a golf course! As you may guess, this didn’t create the most reliable golf ball.