10-Year-Old Boy Excited to Play Golf with New Prosthetic Arm
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Freddie Tarr, a 10-year-old golf fan with a congenital limb difference, will soon be able to play golf, thanks to a new prosthetic arm by Koalaa, an upper limb prosthetic company. Having this prosthetic arm also means that the young boy can spend more time on the golf course with his grandfather, a golf player.
Koalaa is currently developing the golf prosthetic arm in collaboration with EDGA (formerly the European Disabled Golf Association). Through this project, both organizations aim to enhance the ability of players with upper limb differences to use a golf club effectively.
The golf prosthetic arm is still in its early stages, but last May, Koalaa and EDGA invited Freddie and a group of school-age children with congenital limb differences to try the “world-first” prosthetic arm during a special coaching session at Woburn Golf Club in Milton Keynes, England. This event marked the first time that younger players had the chance to test the prototype device.
During an interview with PA news agency, Freddie, who was born with an underdeveloped arm, expressed that using the golf prosthetic arm from Koalaa has made his golfing experience feel different in a positive way.
Besides testing the new golf prosthetic arm, the day at Woburn also exposed Freddie to various people with limb loss and limb differences. In an interview with PA news, Freddie’s father, Nick Tarr, 38, said his son was “inspired” to see older players with limb loss and limb differences take to the course.
Those who made an impression on the young boy included a player wearing a bigger prosthetic arm and another player with an above-knee amputation. This event exposed Freddie to various people with limb loss and limb differences, allowing him to see that he could do anything.
Tarr added that Koalaa is a “game-changer” for Freddie, who also uses the company’s other prosthetics to help with sports, such as mountain biking and surf lifesaving.
Another young athlete, 10-year-old Joanie Melady, was invited to the event to test the golf prosthetic arm. Joanie, who resides with her family in South Oxfordshire, is also known for having a tennis tool from Koalaa named after her.
Joanie told PA news that being around other children with limb differences made her feel like she belonged. And using the golf prosthetic arm made golf fun for Joanie. She even got a hole-in-two.
According to her father, Alan Melady, 43, testing the Koalaa golf prosthetic arm excited Joanie to play golf. He also shared that Joanie loves sports, and seeing her do something that she hasn’t been able to do before makes him feel proud.
Golf coach Mark Taylor, who also heads development at EDGA, emphasized the significance of tools like the golf prosthetic arm being developed with Koalaa in promoting inclusivity and accessibility in golf.
Meanwhile, Nate Macabuag, who founded Koalaa, expressed the hope that their project will inspire individuals of all ages with limb differences to play golf.
Koalaa offers prosthetics for individuals with below-elbow and partial hand limb differences. These prosthetics can assist with various activities such as playing guitar, practicing yoga, surfing, and playing tennis.
If you’re interested in the golf prosthetic arm or other upper-limb prostheses, please visit yourkoalaa.com.
