A prosthetic arm made by Koalaa, considered to be the first of its kind globally, was recently trialled by primary-school-age children during a unique coaching session at Woburn Golf Club in Milton Keynes.
UK-based Koalaa is collaborating with EDGA, a non-profit organisation committed to making golf accessible to all, to develop a one-of-a-kind tool that aids the ability of players with upper limb differences.
The innovative prosthetic helps to enhance a player’s capacity to use a golf club effectively, helping to grow the game’s inclusivity.
And, while the testing process is still in its infancy, following months of research and development, the special coaching session at Woburn was the first time that younger golfers were invited to trial the prototype.
Each child who tested the prosthetic had congenital below-elbow limb difference — meaning their arm did not develop fully at birth — and was given their Koalaa prosthetic free of charge through a charitable initiative called Project Limitless, which supports children aged 18 and under living in the UK, with roughly 600 children having already received a prosthetic through the scheme.
Under the supervision and expert guidance of golf coach Mark Taylor, EDGA’s Head of Instruction & Education, the younger golfers used their prosthetic for the first time to play four holes on a bespoke short course designed just for them on the day.
Coinciding with the G4D Open, an inclusive tournament attracting skilled golfers with disabilities from across the globe, the event also provided the budding youngsters with the opportunity to meet some of the world’s best players.
Mark Taylor commented: “It was brilliant to welcome the children along to Woburn and they all picked it up really quickly! Tools, like the one we’re developing with Koalaa, are so important for aiding inclusivity and making golf accessible for all. We want everyone, no matter what age, ability or experience level, to know that golf is for them.”
Mark added: “From a player perspective, one crucial and unique benefit of Koalaa’s prosthetics is that they make it possible to connect the limb to the golf club in a functional position which complements maximum player interaction with the club and enhances the motion and force generation inside the swing – something that is just not possible without the new device.”
Unlike conventional prosthetics, Koalaa’s are crafted from a breathable fabric that fits snugly against the arm, making them lightweight, comfortable and ideal for the younger golfing generation.
The practicality and design mean the brilliant devices can be sent around the world in volume for a fraction of the cost, achieving a global reach for those who need it.
Koalaa prosthetics are currently available for those with below-elbow and partial hand-limb differences and feature interchangeable tools specially tailored to user feedback, allowing for adaptability and a versatile range of activities.
Nate Macabuag, founder of Koalaa, commented: “It’s fantastic to be working with the team at EDGA on this development project. Together, we hope to inspire people with limb differences of all ages to pick up a club and hit the golf course! Regardless of whether you’re a complete novice, or an elite in your field, at Koalaa, our mission is to make prosthetics and tools for people that support them to do the activities they want to do – and this is another exciting example of our commitment to that goal.”
The G4D Open is held in partnership between The R&A and the DP World Tour and supported by EDGA. Formally the European Disabled Golf Association, the EDGA is a non-profit organisation that supports individuals with a disability at every stage of the player journey, from ‘sampler’ to ‘participant’ to ‘competitor’, and works with 50 National Golf Federations as it aims to welcome 500,000 players into the game.
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For more information, you can visit Koalaa’s website here.
