York Golf Club and MySight York have joined forces with England & Wales Blind Golf to open up the game to people with vision impairment through a programme of monthly coaching sessions that have seen sustained demand since launching in spring 2025.
The initiative, which is funded through to the spring of 2027, welcomes 10-12 participants each month to York Golf Club for professional-led coaching designed to build confidence, develop skills and create meaningful social connection.
Around 35 people with vision impairment have now taken part or registered for future sessions, with many returning regularly and showing improvements in both ability and enjoyment.
Delivered through a collaborative model, the programme brings together the strengths of all three partners. MySight York coordinates the sessions, recruits participants and provides on-the-day support, York Golf Club offers access to its facilities and helps host the sessions, and England & Wales Blind Golf funds the professional coaching led by Mark Rogers. Each two-and-a-half-hour session includes refreshments and social time before participants move between the driving range and putting practice.
The sessions attract a wide demographic – from teenagers to people in their 70s – and include golfers who are totally blind and those who are partially sighted, most of whom are completely new to the sport. Simple adaptations and tailored coaching have enabled participants to progress at their own pace, demonstrating that inclusive golf can be delivered effectively without complex changes to facilities or equipment.
The partnership builds on York Golf Club’s growing commitment to community engagement, and follows a successful captain’s charity initiative in 2024 that raised £10,000 for MySight York. The club hopes the programme will inspire other golf clubs to introduce similar opportunities and recognise the role they can play as inclusive community hubs.
For MySight York, the project highlights the value of partnership and working to expand access to sport for people with sight loss. Many participants report increased confidence, reduced feelings of isolation and improved wellbeing as a result of taking part.
With demand continuing to grow, the organisations hope the success of the programme will encourage new partnerships across the region, in golf and in other sports, ensuring more people with vision impairment can enjoy the benefits of regular physical activity and connection.
England Golf disability manager Tom Dobson said: “It has been inspiring to see the positive impact these sessions have had within the local blind and partially sighted community.
“This work reinforces our commitment through the Disability Golf Plan to create more opportunities for disabled golfers nationwide. We hope this approach can be replicated in other areas, building on the excellent work of England and Wales Blind Golf and other disability stakeholders.”
For more information, contact MySight York at hello@mysightyork.org
