Golf

Special Olympics introduced golf to the official lineup of sports in 1995, when it made its debut at the World Games in New Haven, CT. Golf is also offered as a Unified sport, and almost 25,000 athletes and Unified partners annually train and compete in golf events in the United States. At the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, we will host an individual skills competition, Unified Sports alternate shot team play (both 9 and 18 holes), and individual stroke play (both 9 and 18 holes).

How It’s Played:
Golf is a precision-based club and ball sport that requires focus, skill, and strategic decision-making in order to get the ball into a series of holes in as few strokes as possible. Each hole has a designated “par,” or the expected number of strokes a skilled golfer would take to complete it, and scoring under par is ideal. If an athlete fails to hole the ball after their 10th stroke, their scorecard is marked “10x,” and they continue to the next hole. At the 2026 USA Games, competition will be held across five levels of play. Level 1 focuses on individual skills, where athletes are tested in various skill shots and scored on how close each of their five attempts are to the hole. Levels 2 and 3 feature Unified Sports alternate shot team play, where athletes and Unified partners take turns hitting the ball over 9 or 18 holes. Levels 4 and 5 showcase individual stroke play, with athletes completing either 9 or 18 holes while counting each stroke taken. Golf challenges athletes to master precision, course management, and mental composure, making it very difficult to master, but rewarding for those with patience.