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TIPS FOR MAKING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES FEEL
WELCOME AT YOUR GOLF COURSE OR GOLF FACILITY

Preface

The information contained in this booklet was made possible through research performed by Gary Robb, Executive Director of the National Center on Accessibility, and funding provided by the United States Golf Association Foundation.

About this booklet
By following the recommendations contained in this booklet, you will be able to communicate more effectively with and provide better service for golfers with disabilities. As a result, this population of individuals will feel much more welcome at your facility, and you will be much more comfortable in dealing with them and their special needs. Ultimately, this will lead to better understanding, respect and interaction between the disabled and the able-bodied golfing communities.

As an additional resource, you will find a list of contacts at the end of the booklet that can assist you in obtaining further information relating to golf for individuals with disabilities.

At the time of this writing, the regulations governing the physical accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for the game of golf have not been finalized and published. While it is proposed that those regulations will apply only to newly constructed golf facilities and any renovation or alteration of existing golf facilities, there are a number of steps that can be taken by golf facilities which are not directly impacted by the ADA that will significantly increase accessibility to the game for individuals with disabilities. It is very important to note that, pending final ADA regulations, the specifications listed herein are only recommendations. This publication will be updated to reflect ADA requirements once they are available.

Individuals with disabilities -- who are they?
There are 54 million Americans with a disability. These individuals may have a physical disability which restricts their mobility or their ability to grip or swing a golf club, or they may have a disability that affects their vision, hearing or mental status. Some of these disabilities are present at birth, while others are acquired as a result of unfortunate injuries or other health related problems.

Of the 54 million Americans who have a disability, 7.4 million of them use mobility devices such as canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs and scooters.

Why golf? Why accommodate?
While it may seem otherwise at first glance, golf is one of the few sports that can easily incorporate individuals with disabilities. The importance of this is significant because of the rehabilitative potential, both physically and psychologically, associated with playing the game. An individual who is able to learn golf’s fundamentals sufficiently enough to play with other players, be they disabled or able-bodied, will likely enjoy higher self-esteem and, therefore, will have a much greater likelihood of joining or remaining in the mainstream of society.

In addition, the National Golf Foundation has reported that 26.4 million Americans, or 12% of the U.S. population, play golf. Although a growing number of individuals with disabilities are being exposed to the game, the exact number of these individuals who are actually playing golf is not yet known. However, it is estimated that if 12% of this population were to begin playing golf, we would welcome more than 5 million new golfers to the game. Accommodating their desire to play is another way to continue to grow this great game.

Tips for communicating with individuals with disabilities
Unless one has had a significant amount of experience in communicating with individuals with disabilities, it is only natural to feel uncomfortable when such a person arrives at your facility and requests your assistance. Knowing what to say and how to say it will go a long way in eliminating that discomfort. Additionally, the use of proper terminology will minimize the possibility of conveying a message that is not intended or one that is inadvertently offensive.

Individuals with disabilities prefer to be called individuals with disabilities. They are not handicapped unless conditions exist which create unnecessary barriers that preclude their being able to accomplish tasks that would be considered routine for an able-bodied individual. As examples:

An individual with a disability who uses a wheelchair is handicapped when obstacles or space constraints make accessibility impossible.
But an individual who uses a wheelchair isn’t handicapped when Golf Shop aisles are clear of obstacles and wide enough to allow passage of a wheelchair.

An individual who is deaf is handicapped when a golf course’s automated tee time reservation system doesn’t provide equal opportunity for someone who can’t use a regular telephone.
But an individual who is deaf isn’t handicapped when the golf course’s severe weather warning system has visual as well as auditory alarms.

An individual who is blind is handicapped when the golf course staff doesn’t understand that someone with limited sight has special needs in order to play the game.
But an individual who is blind isn’t handicapped when the golf course allows the player’s non-playing coach to accompany and assist him or her on the course without paying a fee.

Other words to AVOID:
Crippled
Deaf and Dumb
Physically Challenged
Victim
Afflicted
Words to USE:
Individual/golfer with a disability
Individual/golfer who uses a wheelchair
Individual/golfer who is blind
Remember that using the correct terminology isn’t just politically correct; it shows respect.
And, finally, it is unnecessary to mention an individual’s disability unless it is relevant to the particular situation or issue. If it’s not relevant, don’t mention it.

Parking lot tips
When an individual with a mobility device (wheelchair, scooter, crutches, etc.) arrives at your course, some easy “fixes” will make the experience more pleasurable for all.

Accessible parking spaces should be close to major amenities, such as:
Bag drop
Golf shop
Practice Facility
Restaurant
Following the round, it’s important to allow the individual with a disability to take the golf cart to the parking lot in order to unload golf clubs.

Bag drop tips

By locating the bag drop close to accessible parking spaces, individuals who use mobility devices will have to make only one stop.

If you know that an individual with a disability is coming to your facility to play golf, be prepared to have someone available to take the clubs from the vehicle. If an attendant is not available, ensure that there is ample room at the bag drop area for the individual with a mobility device to exit the vehicle.

Golf shop tips

Ensure that a wheeled device can access all areas of the shop. Aisles which are 36 inches wide will give access to all merchandise.

High counters are difficult for someone in a sitting position to access. Consider lowering one section of the counter, or, if that is not feasible, consider greeting the individual who has mobility impairment in front of the counter.

If clothes racks are no higher than 48-inches from the floor, then someone in a sitting position will be able to reach them.

Include a Teletype or TTY (telecommunications device for the deaf) and train your shop staff in its use.

Practice facility tips

At least 5% of the “Practice Stations” should be accessible to an individual who uses an assistive mobility device, i.e. minimum of 10 feet by 10 feet.

Practice greens should easily be accessible by individuals who use mobility devices.

Make a practice bunker available for entrance and exit by mobility devices, i.e. at least one ingress/egress area at least 48 inches wide on mild sloping terrain.

On-course tips
In order to make your golf course fully accessible, the following suggestions are recommended:

A minimum pathway (at least 48 inches wide) to connect all areas within the boundaries of the entire golf facility. This includes:

Bag drop
Parking lot
Club house or pro shop
Practice Facilities
Golf Course

At least two teeing grounds on each hole (where at least two tees are provided) which allow golf cart passage so that an individual with a disability can enter and exit. The area should be a minimum of 10 feet by 10 feet and on a level surface.
Where temporary or permanent barriers are used along cart paths, an opening 60 inches in width should be provided every 75 yards to allow golf carts or assistive devices to enter the fairway.
At each green, allow space for golf carts to approach, enter and exit.
Accessibility to bunkers is not required. Whenever possible, however, easy ingress/egress points should be considered.
All amenities such as restrooms and snack bars should be accessible. Weather shelters should be 60 inches by 96 inches in order to allow a golf cart to enter and exit.
Other considerations
If you have reservations about wheeled devices on the golf course, discuss it with the player. When the golf course is too soft to allow mowing equipment on the course, it’s appropriate to ask the player to keep the device out of sensitive areas. This may include the surfaces of tees and putting greens. The same restrictions may need to be placed on canes, crutches or other assistive mobility devices even if they have been specially modified.

In order to eliminate turf damage caused by wheeled assistive devices, consider purchasing a few golf carts that have been designed to be turf sensitive, i.e. single-rider carts.

Recommend to members of your staff that it would be beneficial to attend a seminar or a meeting in order to become more familiar with the needs of individuals with disabilities who play golf.

Attitude is a powerful tool
Individuals with disabilities are often portrayed in two extremes:

as brave, courageous, inspirational or superhuman beings that have overcome a terrible fate against all odds, or
as people who should be pitied and given special attention because they are suffering as a result of their unfortunate circumstances.
Both of these portrayals promote inaccurate and unnecessary stereotypes. It’s important to remember that individuals with disabilities are simply people who happen to have a disability.

Resources, Instruction and Information

Personal Assistive Devices
There are many devices available today that have been designed to help individuals with disabilities play the game:

Specially designed golf clubs
Gripping aids
Automated ball teeing devices
Ball retrieval aids
Other miscellaneous assistive devices
A list of manufacturers of devices for individuals with disabilities may be found on the United States Golf Association Internet site www.usga.org (Click on Resource Center) as well as on the National Center on Accessibility Internet site at www.ncaonline.org.

Assistive Mobility Devices
A number of companies that manufacture devices for individuals with disabilities, such as single rider carts that have turf sensitive tires and are lighter in weight, may be found on the USGA and NCA Internet sites listed above.

Instruction
Many PGA and LPGA golf professionals provide instruction for individuals with disabilities. Contact the PGA of America or the LPGA for information, or visit the USGA and NCA Internet sites. In addition, numerous rehabilitation hospitals, recreation facilities and national organizations provide golf instruction programs and competitive opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Many of these are listed on the USGA and NCA Internet sites.

Rules of Golf
The USGA has published A Modification of the Rules of Golf for Golfers with Disabilities. The desired result of these Rules modifications is to allow a golfer who has a disability to play equitably with an able-bodied individual or a golfer with another type of disability. This booklet is available through the USGA Golf Resource Center for Individuals with Disabilities, and it can be accessed through the USGA Internet site.

List of Contacts for Further Information

USGA Resource Center for Individuals with Disabilities
Mr. Mark Frace
Project Director
1631 Mesa Ave.
Copper Building
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Phone: 719-471-4810 ext.18
Fax: 719-471-4976
www.usga.org

Professional Golfers Association
100 Avenue of the Champions
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 Phone: 561-624-8400
Fax: 561-624-8448
www.pga.com Ladies Professional Golfers Association Dr. Betsy Clark

Director of Education
100 International Golf Drive
Daytona Beach, FL 32124-1092 Phone: 904-274-6200
Fax: 904-274-1099
www.lpga.com

Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
1421 Research Park Drive
Lawrence, KS 66049-3859
Phone: 800-472-7878
Fax: 785-841-2240
www.gcsaa.org

National Center on Accessibility
Gary Robb
Executive Director
5020 State Road 67
North Martinsville, IN 46151
Phone: 765-349-9240 V/TTY
www.indiana.edu/~nca