Golf Programs for Military Veterans with PTSD

Our mission is to build confidence and self-belief in our members through golf skills and employment events and set them on the path to meaningful employment opportunities in the golf industry.

As a sport, golf offers a unique platform where players of all skills and backgrounds can compete healthily, improving not only their physical but mental strength too. With many lacking self-belief, it’s our aim to help our members realize their potential and set them on a fulfilling career path in the golf industry.

PGA Hope

https://www.pgareach.org/services/military

PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. PGA HOPE introduces golf to veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.

The Salute to Military Golf Association (Various chapters)

https://www.smga.org/

The SMGA's mission is to provide rehabilitative golf experiences and family inclusive golf opportunities for post 9/11 wounded war veterans in an effort to improve the quality of life for these American heroes. Eligible veterans include those wounded or injured in post 9/11 military operations, including those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and/or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

Veterans Golfers Association

https://www.vgagolf.org/

The Veterans Golfers Association is dedicated to enriching the lives of Veterans and their family members through the camaraderie and sportsmanship of golf. Annually, the VGA hosts more than 450 local tournaments across the country, culminating in a VGA National Championship each fall.

The VGA develops programs that allow our members to compete, socialize, and remain physically active through the game of golf. Through local league play, regional tournaments, and national qualifiers, the VGA helps reinforce values like integrity, respect, and perseverance through the game of golf. Additionally, the VGA offers family-oriented activities that help Veterans and their family members increase the amount of quality time spent together, and be more active in their communities.

The Veteran Golfers Association started as an idea amongst Wounded Veterans at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC. Several friends routinely got together to play golf courses around the area to encourage each other to not only improve their games but to also heal through camaraderie and competition. After recovering from their injuries, these friends relocated around the country and missed the opportunity to compete against one another regularly.

Realizing that other veterans might be in this same situation, these friends got together in 2014 to create the Veteran Golfers Association, the first golfing organization dedicated to promoting the game to all Veterans and their family members.

The VGA is working tirelessly to create golfing programs that will keep veterans, their family members and children active in the game of golf for many years to come.