A collaboration between Koalaa and EDGA has developed a new golf tool which is designed to enhance the ability of players with upper limb differences to effectively use a golf club
Sports-mad Joanie, age 10, from South Oxfordshire, was one of the first people in the UK to receive a new type of prosthetic arm, thanks to an innovative project. Now, having mastered a range of sports, including surfing and tennis, she’s hit the green, to trial a new golfing aid.
Joanie, who lives with her mum, dad and sister, was born with a congenital limb difference meaning that her left arm did not fully develop before birth. While it’s never held her back, she has found certain activities have been made easier using a prosthetic.
Joanie was invited to join a special coaching session held at Woburn Golf Club in Milton Keynes during the recent G4D Open, where she joined a group of children with limb differences to test out a new golfing device being developed to increase accessibility for the sport.
Koalaa collaborates with EDGA
UK-based Koalaa, is collaborating with EDGA, a non-profit organisation committed to making golf accessible to all, on the development of the new golf tool, which is designed to enhance the ability of players with upper limb differences to effectively use a golf club.
While the development process is still in its early stages, the session at Woburn followed months of research and testing and was the first time that younger players had been invited to try out the prototype device.
Under the expert guidance of golf coach, Mark Taylor, EDGA’s Head of Instruction & Education, Joanie and four other children completed four holes on a specially created practice course, experiencing both teeing off and putting.
Joanie commented: “The whole day was a great experience because I got to try a new sport for the very first time and met lots of people who were just like me. The new prosthetic and tool gave me control over the golf club so I could do a better swing. This was my first-time playing golf and I hope I will play again soon.”
Mark Taylor, golf coach, commented: “It was brilliant to welcome the children along to Woburn and they all picked it up really quickly! Tools, like the one we’re developing with Koalaa, are so important for aiding inclusivity and making golf accessible for all. We want everyone, no matter what age, ability or experience level, to know that golf is for them.”
Project Limitless
Koalaa prosthetics are available for free through a charitable initiative called Project Limitless, which supports children aged 18 and under living in the UK. Around 600 children have already received a prosthetic through the scheme.
The prosthetics’ patented design sees a soft fabric sleeve being worn that can be fitted with different tool attachments, depending on the task the user would like to do.
Nate Macabuag, founder of Koalaa, added: “It’s fantastic to be working with the team at EDGA on this development project and the feedback from the children was just amazing. Together, we hope to inspire people with limb differences of all ages to pick up a club and hit the golf course! Regardless of whether you’re a complete novice, or an elite in your field, at Koalaa our mission is to make prosthetics and tools for people that supports them to do the activities they want to do - and this is another exciting example of our commitment to that goal.”
The G4D Open
The practice session at Woburn coincided with The G4D Open, an inclusive tournament that gives the world's best golfers with disabilities an opportunity to compete; their skills being observed by the children on the day. England’s Matthew Gamble, who plays with his left arm, helped the children with their first putts. While Sweden’s Gustav Stigsson-Andersson, who plays with a prosthetic, wowed them with just how far and straight he could hit the golf ball. A group of the youngsters were introduced to the event from the LimbBo Foundation, a national charity which supports children with limb difference and their families.
The G4D Open is held in partnership between The R&A and the DP World Tour and supported by EDGA. EDGA (formally the European Disabled Golf Association) is a non-profit organisation that helps individuals with a disability at every stage of the player pathway, from ‘sampler’, ‘participant’ to ‘competitor’, and works with 50 National Golf Federations as it seeks to welcome 500,000 new players into the game.
For more information, please visit www.yourkoalaa.com and www.edgagolf.com
