act as an impediment to

lack of funding has handicapped the development of research

a circumstance that makes progress or success difficult

not being able to drive was something of a handicap

a condition that markedly restricts a person's ability to function physically, mentally, or socially

he was born with a significant visual handicap

a disadvantage imposed on a superior competitor in sports such as golf, horse racing, and competitive sailing in order to make the chances more equal