FAQ & Contact

 

No, the SDGC is not a respite service.  We will organise and provide tuition for any member, with any type of disability in Scotland. 

 

 

Yes, we have a Pairs League in operation, where  two golfers play a foursome (alternate shot) format, so in effect play only nine holes.  Individuals may also enter events and finish after nine holes, or early on the ice, if they wish.

 

 

The SDGC has amalgamated all its team and international competitions under the Phoenix Cup banner, which is now played annually.  Team players are selected from the Scottish Order of Merit Championship Tables and members compete throughout the year to gain points and places on that Table.  There are between 16 and 20 qualifiers each year and points are awarded to the top 16 golfers at each game, relating to their finishing place.

 

At a given date before each Phoenix Cup the top 8 golfers automatically qualify for a team place and the elected Captain gets to choose 4 other members from either the Tables or SDGC membership.  This is the format used when a team representing Scotland is chosen and a similar process exists for European teams, where there are 4 automatic place selections and 8 wild cards picked from out with Scotland, by the Captain. 

 

 

Yes, just send us a copy of the golf handicap certificate from your golf club Secretary.  We regularly play from the yellow or visitors tees, so would adjust the handicap to suit that scenario.

 

 

We started to think about forming a group to incorporate all disabilities, as far back as 2002.  No-one else in the world was able or willing to take on the challenge of such a group and allowing anyone with any type of disability the chance to play golf.

 

There were about four or five established groups for specific disabilities, like one-arm, deaf, blind and special Olympics, but they only allowed one disability and excluded more people than they let in.

 

So in 2002, through funding from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, two of our founders, travelled to Canada and visited various related groups and organisations, while playing in a number of golf competitions, in places like Toronto, Winnipeg and Saskachewan. 

 

Over a period of about a month, we talked to as many people as possible and learnt how they operated and organised their events and we brought all the best ideas back to Scotland. 

 

Since 2004, we have used those ideas and arranged games, competition and tuition for members, around the country.  Then in 2009 we became a charity and have not looked back, with a substantial membership, diary and structure, we are an outlet to dozens of international events, with many other groups copying our framework into their own countries setup.

 

We used the same ideas and framework when setting up and merging the curling and golf charity into one in 2018/19.    

 

 

Just join up, enter our competitions, we will give you a provisional one, then submit three signed score cards and we will sort out the rest.

 

 

For golf lessons, ideally yes, but the teaching professionals will have access to some clubs for the session to practice with, however, Once you take up the game, you will need your own clubs and golfing gear. 

 

For curling lessons, no, just warm clothing.  Anti-slip footwear can be provided, along with curling cues and ice gear as necessary.

 

Each year the SDGC raises funds by approaching over two thousand European corporations, businesses, charities, Trust Funds and Foundations.

 

All monies raised are used exclusively for our members and helps to provide: free membership, free lessons, subsidised entry fees, support for our international teams and many related services.

 

None of our Trustees or Committee Members take a fee or salary from the charity.

 

 

Yes, we have members with all types of disability, including amputees, Cerebral Palsy, MS, blind and vision impaired, Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, MD and many, many more.  We accept any disability or serious health condition, that interferes with the playing of the game.

 

Unlike some disabled sports groups, we are not exclusive too one type of disability and therefore probably excluding more people than we could help.  We do not put members through embarrassing medical examinations to see if they fit predetermined ideas or conditions.  We are also not elitist and looking for only the best players.  We are determined to be open and include everyone interested in playing or learning about golf and/or curling.

 

 

We usually get wet.  Showers and squalls are probably going to happen from time to time in Scotland.  If it’s really bad and affecting the course, game and individuals we will cancel.  As for the curling, it will be cold on the ice, so you must wear warm, thermal and/or lots of layers.

 

 

Yes, this would normally be arranged on arrival at the golf club or ice rink with the caterers and/or club manager.  Most clubs and rinks now offer special dietary options.

 

 

No.  The SDGC book carts if they are available at venues and they are allocated to essential users only.  Members are then required to pay for their use.

 

 

 

There are lots of devices that may help with both sports, like cues or balance sliders at the curling and soloriders or frames and sticks at the golf, but the best advice will come from the teaching professionals at both sports.  They will see you in action and give advice as necessary.

 

 

Keep an eye on our diary and social media for our next ice sessions or Sticks & Stones events, and just come along and give it a go?  We will source some anti-slip footwear and other basic equipment for play.

 

 

Our Sticks & Stones games are usually two day combo-events.  These are arranged during the curling season, roughly between October and April and involve both sportss.  For example, day one could be a curling game or two, day two could be golf or golf tuition, depending upon the weather and catering is available.

 

 

The R&A and USGA revealed the new golf rules in January 2019 and there are some huge changes set to come into play. 

 

There have been four major changes to the proposals they brought out last year.

 

The first is the dropping procedure. Last year it was proposed that golfers could drop from any height above an inch. This has been changed to knee height. So from 1stJan 2019, when taking relief golfers will now drop from knee height – no longer shoulder height.

 

After the proposal last year for golfers to measure relief by 20 inches or 80 inches, the standard one or two club lengths will remain. Golfers can take relief using the longest club in their bag, barring the putter.

 

There will no longer be a penalty for double-hitting a shot. Golfers will simply count the single stroke they took to strike the ball, rather than counting two shots for hitting the ball twice.

 

The Out of Bounds rule is set to undergo huge changes in a bid to speed up play. From 1stJan 2019, golf clubs will be allowed to install a local rule that golfers can drop a new ball in the vicinity of where their ball has gone out of bounds, with a two stroke penalty.  So no more walking back to the tee – if the course you’re playing installs this new local rule. This is only for club level, it doesn’t cover professional or elite level competitions.

 

As well as those changes to the proposals, here are some major changes that were proposed last year and WILL BE coming in on 1st Jan 2019:

 

There will be no penalty for accidentally moving your ball on the putting green or when looking for it. A player is not responsible for causing a ball to move unless it is “virtually certain” that they did.

 

The flagstick no longer has to be attended or removed when puttingand there will be no penalty if a golfer hits an unattended flagstick in the hole.

 

Golfers will be allowed to repair spike marksas well as other damage on the putting green. There is also no penalty for merely touching the line of a putt.

 

Golfers can now touch the ground with their club in a hazard and can move loose impediments in a hazard without penalty.  As well as that, golfers can move loose impediments in bunkersand will not be penalised for generally grounding their club away from their ball.  You still cannot ground your club when playing a bunker shot. An unplayable lie may be taken in a bunker, with a drop out for two strokes.  Player integrity will be relied on to the point where a player’s “reasonable judgement” will be trustedon things like estimating/measuring a spot, point, line, area or distance.

 

The 5 minute golf ball search time has been scrapped. From 1stJan 2019, golfers will be allowed only 3 minutes to search for a strayed golf ball.

 

Golf’s governing bodies are also encouraging ready golfin stroke play and recommend golfers take no longer than 40 seconds over a shot.

 

For all the details visit: www.randa.org

 

 

Oddly enough, we tend to get less people at the weekends for SDGC comps, both at the curling and the golf.  We have never figured out why, whether it’s family commitments, their own golf, working weekends or differing shifts?  So far this year, every weekend game and coaching session, has been poorly attended, We have had to cancel over a dozen weekend games in the last ten years, due to lack of bodies and some at very prestigious clubs.  Scottish Clubs have always been very generous to SDGC, but when all is arranged and booked, then only a handful turn up, it doesn’t look good from anyones’s perspective?