Australian amputee golf talent Archer Belbin continues to impress
In less than 18 months, teenage amputee golfer Archer Belbin has dropped 21 shots from his handicap and won an Australian title. Now the Queensland talent is focused on becoming the top ranked player in the country.
Sunshine Coast
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Junior Sunshine Coast amputee golfer Archer Belbin is taking the sport by storm.
In less than 18 months since picking up a golf club, Belbin has claimed an Australian Amputee Golf Championship title while also dropping 21 shots from his original handicap.
Not long after Belbin was born, doctors diagnosed him with fibular hemimelia, a condition that affects one in 40,000 newborns and results in a baby’s limbs not developing properly during pregnancy.
In Belbin’s case he had no fibula in his left leg and only four toes on the foot meaning surgeons had no choice but to amputate the leg just below the knee when he was 18 months old.
“I’ve grown up with it so I really don’t know any different and I haven't let it get it in the way,” Belbin said.
The Unity College student played golf as a five and six-year-old before focusing on the pool where he became a nationally ranked junior swimmer.
In 2023 his brother Noah and a couple of mates got Belbin down to his local Caloundra Golf Club and after hitting some balls down the driving range he soon found a love for the sport.
“He had been swimming since he was a child and racing competitively for about five years,” Belbin’s dad Dean said.
“He was on the cusp of breaking onto the Paralympic scene but had just had enough and wanted a change.
“He had played golf as a young kid but when I took him to the driving range he generally looked like a baby giraffe and just couldn’t hit the ball.”
Belbin joined Caloundra in August 2023 and by March had put his name down to compete in the Australian Amputee Golf Championship at Coolangatta.
With no previous experience at a competitive tournament, Belbin held little weight against some of the veteran players but when his handicap of 33 was taken into account, he shone.
Celebrating his 16th birthday midway through the 54-hole tournament, Belbin was the youngest player by 15 years but after shooting net rounds of 71, 74 and 73, four better than any other player, he walked away champion of the net category plus the category for players with a leg amputation.
“Everyone was so welcoming, it had a great family feel and I really enjoyed my time playing and socialising,” Belbin said.
“Generally when you play everyone is trying to do the same thing so to see how everyone adapting or navigated each hole was really cool.
“They were all really happy to see a younger player competing so hopefully in a way I can motivate other young players to give it a go.”
The keen Aussie rules fan now plays off 12 but has his sights set on getting that number to single digits in the coming months.
“Dropping 21 shots in a year is pretty cool but if I can get it to single digits by June that would be great,” Belbin said.
Belbin, who is coached by John Wright (Maroochydore), Tom Arnott (Caloundra) and Marcus McPherson (Qld Golf Performance Centre), would be looking to defend his net title at the 2025 Australian Amputee Open in March at Coolangatta.
“I’m really excited to get back there again and hopefully play some good golf but also to catch up with people I met last year,” he said.
“My long term focus is to be Australia’s number one ranked all abilities golfer.
“That means getting overseas, getting a better understanding of the G4D Tour (Golf Four Disabilities) and hopefully becoming professional.”
Belbin thanked the ongoing support of his family, coaches, friendly rivals and the Caloundra golf club.
Originally published as Australian amputee golf talent Archer Belbin continues to impress