Any work one undertakes to make his or her facility more accessible for individuals with disabilities is work that they are undertaking to make the game of golf more accessible, more inclusive, and even more fun. Having more individuals with disabilities play the game of golf is good for the game of golf as a whole, as it not only allows those individuals to experience the game we all cherish, but it also allows for families to play together and friendships to be forged, or deepened, while on the course. Considering that course accessibility affects many more people than just those with disabilities, your facility may also benefit financially through increasing your base of repeat customers. Considering the fact that the population of golfers with disabilities is already large, and is growing drastically with our efforts of outreach and our aging population, having a course that is welcoming to individuals with disabilities will help you future operations as well.

In thinking about individuals with disabilities playing at your facility, there are myths and realities. A common misconception is that golfers with disabilities will damage a facility or cause slow play; in this site you have access to informational guides that will help debunk both of these stereotypes. While everyone deserves to play, the Resource Center believes that no individual, disabled or able-bodied, has the right to damage a course or cause slow play. We hope to provide information that will help you make the best and most appropriate decisions for your facility.

To further answer the question as to why your facility should make itself more accessible for golfers with disabilities, the Resource Center has compiled the following information.

"FOR THE GOOD OF THE GAME" REPORT
When the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990 there was much concern about what golf facilities would need to do to comply with the requirements of the law. There was equal concern from golfers with disabilities as to how they would be received by golf courses. Ten years later, while there has been much in the way of increased activity and opportunities for people with disabilities to get into the game, many questions have remained unanswered or at least unclear.

The National Center on Accessiblity has been at the forefront of advocacy efforts relative to the game of golf as related to people with disabilities since 1992. Based on information from both the "golf community" and the "disabled community," the NCA determined that it would be of value to conduct a study to determine how or if any of the issues of the early 1990's had been resolved or had changed. Based on data gathered from these various sources, the project goal was to develop materials that would assist golf operators in developing policies and practices that would provide effective customer service to golfers with disabilities. To download a PDF summary of the project findings, click here. To download a PDF of the complete report of this project finding, please click here.

STUDY ON IMPACT OF MOBILITY DEVICES ON PUTTING GREENS
The USGA Green Section has conducted a study on the impact various means of mobility (including wheelchairs) have on golf courses' greens. While this is a very detailed study, the Resource Center believes that its results were interesting, as it showed that the PSIs exerted by mobility devices used by individuals with disabilities is no more damaging than any golfer's foot traffic. If you would like to download a PDF of this study, please click here.

SUCCESS STORIES
If you would like to go through the Resource Center's library of published stories that detail what being able to play golf has meant to various individuals with disabilities, please click here.