2012 Adapted Golf Workshops & Outings Scheduled

May 4, 2012

Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw has announced the schedule for the upcoming season of its GolfAbility program. GolfAbility is an adaptive golf instruction program to teach the basics of golf to individuals with disabilities.

GolfAbility workshops and outings have been schedule to run from May through July. The workshops will take place at the GolfAbility center, which is located on the campus of the physical rehabilitation hospital. The center consists of a 1300 square foot synthetic putting green with six cups and three accessible netted tee areas. Participants will learn how to use appropriate adaptive golf equipment, including single-rider carts. A single-rider cart is a specially equipped golf cart that allows a disabled golfer to play seated or standing, directly from the cart, and can be driven right on to the green.  The two outings will take place at a local golf course.

Joyce Fried, LPGA golf pro, conducts lessons and outing are conducted by recreational therapists. Sessions will start with a group lesson, with participants then breaking into small groups to practice concepts learned during the lesson, as well as building on skills learned in previous sessions. The GolfAbility programs will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and each workshop will be limited to 16 participants. GolfAbility outings will take place at the Rockland Lake Executive Course with a tee time of 3:00 pm. Players will pay their own course fees.  Dates are as follows.

 

Workshops:

May 7  Putting (modeling the hold, alignment stroke)

May 14  Chipping (modeling the hold, alignment stroke)

June 4  Iron off tees  (model the hold, alignment, follow-through)

June 11 Iron off tees (target, hold set-up & follow-through)

June 18  Fairway metals & sand bunker

July 2   Short game competitions/review & questions

July 9  Driving woods (swinging the club)

July 16  Specialty shots (hooking, fading, high, low, bunker shots)

 

Outings: May 21 and June 25 *

* Must attend at least one workshop to qualify for outing registration

GolfAbility is open to individuals who may have played prior to acquiring a disability and individuals who are new to the sport. The program seeks to prevent golfers from giving up the game due to injuries, orthopedic, impairments, cardiopulmonary disease, stroke, arthritis and other age related conditions. It also seeks to encourage people of all abilities to take up the sport, including individuals with spinal cord injury or amputation.

All workshops are free, but pre-registration is required. Participants may register for as many workshops as they wish. Registered participants will be called one week prior to each workshop to confirm acceptance status. For additional information or a registration form, contact Matthew Castelluccio at 845-786-4950, or castellucciom@helenhayeshosp.org.