NAOAGA Programs
The North American One-Armed Golfer Association (NAOAGA) was established in October 2000 to promote golf among individuals with upper extremity disabilities. The organization focuses on competition, recreation, and both physical and emotional rehabilitation. It also aims to create a supportive community where physically challenged individuals can unite, interact, socialize, compete, and discuss important issues related to living with an upper extremity disability.
In accordance with eligibility standards to be considered a disabled athlete recognized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) & United States Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA).
NAOAGA will classify golfers with disabilities based on the following criteria:
Unassisted – Getchell Division G-4
The golfers in this division include impairment(s) affecting at least arm. During any stroke played in a round of golf, from the initiation of the stroke through the striking of the ball, there can only be one intentional point of contact on the club, and no intentional contact with the arm holding the club. Any intentional aid from an artificial appliance, prosthetic, anchoring the club, or part of the impaired arm is not allowed as a second point of contact. This category includes limb deficiency, impaired passive range of motion, and impaired muscle power related to the arm. It can also include someone who plays from a mobility cart, uses a walker or cane to stabilize themselves with one arm, and swings with the other.
Assisted – Fullgraf Division G-5
The golfers in this division have impairments affecting at least one arm. During any stroke played in a round of golf, from the initiation of the stroke to striking the ball, this class is permitted to have two intentional points of contact on the club or the arm holding the club. Any intentional aid, such as an artificial device, prosthetic, or anchoring the club to part of the impaired arm, is allowed as the second point of contact. This category includes individuals with limb deficiencies, impaired passive range of motion, and reduced muscle power related to the arm.
Seniors - Division
Any golfer over the age of 55 who has an arm impairment, as defined above, is eligible.
Ladies - Cooper Division
Any woman who has an arm impairment, as defined above
Junior - Division
Under 16, girls and boys
NAOAGA hosts an Annual Meeting & Championship for its membership each year at a different championship venue in North America. In its first 16 years of existence, events have been successfully staged from Las Vegas to Florida, New Mexico to Rhode Island, Chicago to Montreal, Kentucky to the Jersey Shore, & all the way to Prince Edward Island. NAOAGA now holds a winter regional event, typically in January. NAOAGA continues to promote this excellent game to one-armed golfers.
The Fightmaster Cup is a trademarked international competition featuring top players from NAOAGA and the United Kingdom's Society of One-Armed Golfers. This event follows a Ryder Cup-style format and takes place every two years, just before the Ryder Cup. The competition began in 2008, with the Americans winning the inaugural Cup and again in 2023, while Europe won in the subsequent years of 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016,2018, 2020. The Annual Meeting & Championships serve as the official qualifying events for the Fightmaster Cup.
The members of NAOAGA also strive to "give back" to the community whenever possible. The organization started a Junior Program in 2019 to grow the game of golf among youth in our community to introduce new players to the game. Adult players have supported clinics at each NAOAGA event and have included participants from Shriners and those from the PGA Hope program.