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Evidence‐based classification in golf for athletes with a vision impairment: A Delphi study

Hynes, Niall J.; Beukes, Eldre W.; Hawkes, Roger; Bennett, Howard A.; Hamilton, Christian; Jayabalan, Prakash; Allen, Peter M.

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Authors

Niall J. Hynes

Eldre W. Beukes

Roger Hawkes

Howard A. Bennett

Christian Hamilton

Prakash Jayabalan

Peter M. Allen



Abstract

Vision-impaired (VI) golf is a global para-sport currently played under several different classification systems under different bodies. This study aimed to gather expert opinion to determine whether the current classification systems are fit for the purpose intended and to identify any particular issues where VI impacts the game of golf for the disabled (G4D). A panel of 20 participants with expertise in G4D took part in a three-round Delphi study. The panel agreed that the current classification system(s) for VI golf did not or only partially fulfilled the aim to minimise the impact of VI on the outcome of competition and that there should be one, internationally recognised, classification system. It was agreed that other metrics of VI, in addition to the measurement of visual acuity (VA), need to be considered. Intentional misrepresentation of VI was identified as a cause for concern. The panel agreed that the current classification system does not fully achieve its purpose. Any changes that are made to these classification systems need to be evidence based specific to VI golf. Further research is required to determine how measures of VI affect golfing performance and whether other metrics other than VA are required.

Citation

Hynes, N. J., Beukes, E. W., Hawkes, R., Bennett, H. A., Hamilton, C., Jayabalan, P., & Allen, P. M. (2022). Evidence‐based classification in golf for athletes with a vision impairment: A Delphi study. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, 42(6), 1193 - 1203. https://doi.org/10.1111/opo.13049

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 12, 2022
Online Publication Date Sep 21, 2022
Publication Date 2022
Deposit Date Nov 24, 2022
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics
Print ISSN 0275-5408
Electronic ISSN 1475-1313
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 42
Issue 6
Pages 1193 - 1203
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/opo.13049

Files

Published Journal Article (Advance online version) (1.6 Mb)
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Publisher Licence URL
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Copyright Statement
Advance online version This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.




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