Podcast Summary: Hadley Presents: Golfing with Vision Loss

Host: Ricky Enger
Guests: Jan Ober & Judy Messina
Date: March 12, 2026

Overview

This episode of “Hadley Presents: A Conversation with the Experts” explores the joys and logistics of adapting the game of golf for people living with vision loss. Host Ricky Enger speaks with Hadley members Jan Ober and Judy Messina, who share their personal stories, adaptive strategies, and encouragements for others who may be interested in staying active or trying golf despite visual impairment. The tone is warm, practical, and empowering.

Guest Introductions & Backgrounds

Jan Ober (01:13–03:25)

• Lives in Salem, Oregon, originally from Rochester, Minnesota.
• Moved to Oregon with her husband as an adventure over 50 years ago; now in a 55+ golf community.
• Has three daughters and eight grandchildren.
• Developed vision loss about nine years ago from macular degeneration; now has very little central vision due to geographic atrophy.
• Gave up other hobbies and driving but was determined to continue golfing.

Judy Messina (03:36–04:18)

• From Wiper Lake, Minnesota; wife, mother, grandmother.
• Worked as a social worker.
• Diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease in elementary school; vision has progressively declined, currently at “hand motion” level on the eye chart.
• Started golfing for the family’s social aspect and later got involved with adaptive and blind golf.

Coping with Progression of Vision Loss in Golf

Emotional Adaptation

• Jan: Recalls a particularly hard moment, returning from a cruise, faced with giving up sewing, driving, and reading. But was “not gonna lose” golf:

  “I am not gonna lose this. I am not gonna give up. And there has to be something I can do.” (06:56)

• Support from her golf community and husband was key. Everyone helps her find her ball and gives spatial cues.

• Judy: Was clear about her goals from the start—to be part of the social side, not necessarily a great golfer:

  “My goal was to be able to go out and golf with other people and have a good time. Not having the expectation of being a great golfer, but to enjoy the game of golf.” (08:38)

• Discovered the United States Blind Golf Association and local adaptive golf teams, and experimented with formats like “best ball" to make participation easier and enjoyable during skill development.

Adaptive Strategies & Practical Tips

Jan’s Adaptations (11:30)

• Always golfs with a partner to help find her ball.
• Chooses balls in colors she can see best (white or neon yellow/orange).
• Uses visual markers on clubs:
  • White duct tape on irons for alignment.
  • Big white dot on driver’s center.
  • White line on putter.
  • Black line on golf ball for putting.
• Relies on playing partners to describe hole location ("on the left towards the front").
• Manages lighting issues—shadows can make the ball disappear, so she adjusts her stance and lines up before stepping into position.

“My husband has taken my clubs and uses duct tape in little strips... he’s put a big white dot on the center on the top of my driver... And putting a black line on your golf ball so that when you're ready to putt, you can line that up with where the hole is.” (11:30–13:26)

Judy’s Techniques for Severe Vision Loss (14:23)

• Tactile cues instead of visual: seeks golf grips with tactile markers.
• Planning to mark clubs with Braille to identify them.
• Cannot see the ball on the tee; relies entirely on her coach (often her husband, sometimes friends or son) to align her.
• Practice is crucial: drills at the range to gauge force and timing, start close to the hole and practice progressively longer putts.
• Keeps the focus on enjoyment:

  “I can have fun. I can’t get upset because I'm not good enough to get upset at my team, but I am good enough to have a good time.” (16:02)

Both highlight the importance of practice, patience, and supportive partners/coaches.

Community, Attitudes, and Social Aspects

Support and Openness (17:02)

• Jan reports overwhelming positivity: “People are willing to help. They’re happy to help. It seems this place where we live… we don’t care here. We don’t care what your score is. We’re out here to have fun and be together and get some vitamin D.”
• For new learners, both recommend finding beginner-friendly times on the course and not to be intimidated by skill level:

  “If a blind golfer hasn’t had enough experience at all ahead of time… it can slow up the golf course. So I would say you want to make sure you've had a chance before your first time out on the course.” (17:55, Judy)

Strategies for Stress-Free Play

• Play at designated “casual” or slow times (Jan’s community: 2:00pm for beginners).
• Consider skipping a hole or playing best ball when starting out.
• Establish a routine: Judy uses tees of the same height and checks club position with a pre-shot swing (19:32).

Final Tips, Resources, and Inspiration

Jan’s Advice for Newcomers (20:56):

• Join social groups, even if you’re not a golfer at first.
• Be open to inexpensive, non-intimidating courses.
• Suggests being an initiator: invite others, break the ice.
• Golf is a lifelong activity: “The man across the street is 95. He plays every day.”

Judy’s Recommendations (22:27):

• YouTube has many blind golf videos, coaching strategies, and adaptive tips.
• The United States Blind Golf Association is a valuable resource.
• Encourages pursuing dreams even if ambitious:

  “If it’s a dream, go after it… whatever it is, if it’s golf or whatever, just pursue it and do what it takes to have a good time. United States Blind Golf has one comment they always say: you don’t have to see it to tee it.” (23:33)

Memorable Quote:

“You don’t have to see it to tee it.” (23:33, Judy via USBGA motto)

Notable Moments & Timestamps

• [06:56] Jan’s emotional turning point and commitment to golf.
• [08:38] Judy reframes expectations and finds community in adaptive and blind golf.
• [11:30–13:26] Jan’s detailed adaptive equipment strategies.
• [14:23–16:34] Judy’s tactile methodology and focus on teamwork and fun.
• [17:02–18:45] Discussions on community support, attitudes, finding the right environment, and learning pace.
• [20:56] Jan’s call for people to initiate golf/social invitations and view golf as a lifelong activity.
• [22:27–23:35] Judy on resources, personal growth, and the inspiration of her first tournament.

Closing Thoughts

This episode offers a mix of emotional openness, practical takeaways, and encouragement for people with vision loss who want to stay engaged in active hobbies. Both guests embody resilience, creativity, and joy, centered around the fun and social connection of golf—reminding listeners that, with the right adaptations and support, "you don't have to see it to tee it."