Paragolfer
Golfers who were forced to give up the sport because of disability are now able to play again thanks to our revolutionary machine. Players are elevated from a sitting to a standing position with the Paragolf mobility vehicle.
Paragolf Scotland, in partnership with the Golf Academy, own Scotland’s only publicly accessible Paragolfer. The £20,000 aids are free to use on the driving range or the nine-hole golf course.
Russell Gray, operations manager at the golf academy, said: “The Paragolfer is like a ride-on buggy that players they can drive towards their ball. The Paragolfer then lifts them into an upright position and allows them to swing and hit the ball as any of us would. It’s phenomenal.”
Being able to play golf again has transformed one of our members, Ryan MacDonald’s, life. He had to give up the sport when his mobility deteriorated, leaving him using a wheelchair. But the Paragolfer changed all that.
Ryan said: “Finding it was out of this world. I’ll never forget the minute it stood me up and I was ready to take a shot and my dad was standing next to me. I would have given 10 years of my life for that minute.”
Ryan was 19 when he became ill and lost the use of his legs after being bitten by a tick. He was coaching football and tennis in the States when his central nervous system became affected. Father of three Ryan, 35, who works in housing and lives in Crookston, Glasgow, took up wheelchair sports including basketball and tennis after his mobility deteriorated. For years, he had played golf with his dad and brother and he sorely missed joining them on a course.
Ryan added: “A whole chapter of my life had disappeared.”
The Paragolfer means he can again get back on the course with his family.
He added: “I’ve been out with my brother and dad and son.
“It’s had a massive effect. It’s been life-changing for me being able to play golf again.”
