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Draft 8 8/28/02
Alliance for Accessible
Golf Tool Kit
Introduction
The National Alliance for Accessible Golf
is a collaboration of agencies, institutions,
corporations and individuals committed to
the inclusion of golfers with disabilities
in the game of golf. The initial Leadership
Council of the Alliance includes:
American Therapeutic
Recreation Association
City of Las Vegas
Clemson University
Club Managers Association of America
Golf Course Superintendents Association
of America
Golf RX
Indiana University
Ladies Professional Golf Association
National Center on Accessibility
National Golf Course Owners Association
National Therapeutic Recreation Society
PGA of America
PGA TOUR
The First Tee
United States Golf Association
University of Chicago
University of Missouri
University of Utah
Greg Jones
Tom Houston
The Alliance goals are:
- to increase persons’ with disabilities
understanding of the benefits of golf;
- increase the golf industry’s awareness
of the benefit of serving persons with
disabilities;
- advance models and resources for persons
with disabilities to learn the game of
golf;
- increase awareness of the needs of golfers
with disabilities among golf course owners,
teaching professionals and related personnel;
- advance scientific understanding of the
benefits of golf for persons with disabilities;
- assist the golf industry in resolving
issues related to expanding services to
persons with disabilities; and
- assemble and review technical information
for golf course managers, rehabilitation
and recreation professionals, and golf
professionals that lead to improved inclusive
services.
This tool kit is one of the initial Alliance
projects. It is designed to provide guidance
to golf course owners and operators as they
seek ways to make their golf course more accessible
to golfers with disabilities. While there
are specific requirements for facility accessibility
laid out in the Americans with Disabilities
Act, there are also many gray areas, particularly
related to the accessibility of the golf course
itself. What is an owner’s responsibility?
It is illegal to discriminate against a person
with a disability. But beyond that, many golf
course owners and operators have recognized
that golfers with disabilities represent a
growing market. Indeed, as the population
continues to age, today’s avid golfers
may become golfers with disabilities who desire
to keep playing the game they love.
Golf course owners and operators must evaluate
the policies and procedures implemented at
their courses to ensure that there are no
“barriers to entry” for customers
with disabilities seeking to play their courses.
Look at the policies from the perspective
of a person with a disability and then make
every reasonable accommodation to overcome
those polices.
Laws and Regulations
The Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
(ADA) was adopted to remove the barriers that
have prevented society from benefiting from
the participation and contributions of individuals
with disabilities. Many states have also adopted
and enforce versions of the federal ADA.
Title III of the ADA requires public accommodations,
including golf courses, to provide goods and
services to people with disabilities on an
equal basis with the rest of the general public.
In addition, title II of the ADA requires
public entities, such as states and local
governments, to make golf courses and other
facilities accessible to and usable by people
with disabilities.
New golf course facilities must be accessible
in accordance with the ADA. The ADA also requires
removal of architectural barriers in existing
facilities when "readily achievable."
Readily achievable is defined as easily accomplishable
and able to be carried out without much difficulty
or expense. For courses owned or operated
by a state or local government, access must
be provided when doing so is necessary to
make the “program” of golf accessible.
ADA Accessibility Guidelines
for Golf Course Design and Construction
The development of minimum accessibility guidelines
for golf courses is the responsibility of
the U.S. Access Board. The Access Board is
an independent federal agency comprised of
public and government members appointed by
the President.
In 1993, the Recreation Access Advisory Committee
was convened to provide the Access Board with
information and advice in the development
of accessibility guidelines for recreation
facilities and outdoor developed areas. The
committee organized itself into subcommittees
based on facility types, including a Golf
Subcommittee. Representatives from the PGA
of America and the Golf Course Superintendents
Association of America and other golf and
organizations representing people with disabilities
served on the Golf Subcommittee.
In 1993 and 1994, the Golf Subcommittee met
and developed recommended accessibility guidelines
for new golf course construction and alterations
to existing golf courses. Their mission was
"to define proposed architectural guidelines
that would facilitate the integration of people
with disabilities into golf while maintaining
the tradition and integrity of the game."
The first draft of the guidelines was published
for public comment along with other recreational
facility guidelines in an advance notice of
proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) in the September
21, 1994, Federal Register.
The Access Board staff reviewed the comments
and re-drafted a proposed rule, which was
published for comment in July 1999. In July
2000, a summary of draft final guidelines
was issued. However, until final guidelines
are published and adopted by the Department
of Justice, the draft final rules can serve
as a guide when designing and constructing
new golf courses.
ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG):
Rulemaking History
- June 10, 1993: Board creates the Recreation
Access Advisory Committee and a subcommittee
on Golf
- July 13, 1994: The Advisory Committee
submits its recommendations to the Access
Board
- September 21, 1994: The Access Board publishes
an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
- July 9, 1999: Proposed rule published
for public comment
- August 26, 1999: The Access Board holds
public hearing on the proposed rule in
Dallas, Texas
- November 17, 1999: The Access Board holds
public hearing in Boston, Massachusetts
- December 8, 1999: Close of public comment
period
- July 21, 2000: The Access Board publishes
a summary of proposed changes to the guidelines
for public comment and schedules information
meetings
- August 21 - 22, 2000: The Access Board
holds informational meeting in Washington,
D.C.
- September 6 - 7, 2000: The Access Board
holds information meeting in San Francisco,
CA
- September 19, 2000: Comment period closes
on summary of proposed changes
- August 13, 2002: Office of Management
and Budget approves guidelines
- September 3, 2002: Guidelines published
in Federal Register
Golf Course Accessibility
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is covered by the Americans with
Disabilities Act?
All golf course operations are covered. The
only exception is a private club. However,
the law (ADA) is specific in identifying what
qualifies as a private club and the U.S. Department
of Justice takes an extremely narrow view
of the definition of “private.”
Basically, if you allow any public play on
your course or functions at the facility then
you are required to comply with the ADA. Even
if you do not allow public play, if you open
your facility to the public for weddings,
receptions, spectators or other events, it
in essence becomes a public entity at those
times and is covered.
2. What part of the facility is covered?
All parts of the facility, including the clubhouse
and golf course, are covered. Rules governing
the accessibility of the clubhouse are found
in the Americans with Disabilities Act Access
Guidelines (ADAAG). Guidelines for golf course
accessibility have not been finalized to date,
however, there draft final rules issued by
the Access Board for recreational facilities
which include guidelines for golf courses,
such as the number of accessible tee boxes,
accessible golf car passage, greens access
and dimensions for weather shelters on the
course can be used as guides. Although the
guidelines have not been formally adopted
by the Department of Justice, they are the
starting place for a course to begin to become
more accessible. (www.access-board.gov/recreation/status.htm).
3. Can I ask a golfer who requests accommodation
under the ADA if he/she has a disability that
is covered by the ADA?
Yes, you may ask a golfer if they have a covered
disability. If the answer is yes, you should
provide the accommodation. You should not
ask the golfer to tell you what the disability
is, you only need to know that they have a
disability. A golfer’s disability may
not be apparent visually. You should take
their word for it. Some facilities have information
posted in the pro shop that explains the ADA
and the definition of a disability.
4. What rights do people with disabilities
have?
The concepts are clear in the ADA: people with
disabilities are entitled to the same treatment
as people without disabilities. But how does
that translate to the daily routine of a golf
course? Here are some brief examples of how
a golf course can make reasonable accommodations
for customers with disabilities.
If a golfer with a disability wishes to bring
his or her own golf car to the golf course
and use it on the course, let them do so subject
to your observation of their use. Your observation
should be intended only to assure that the
car will cause no more damage to the course
than cars you provide. In addition, you may
be able to regulate whether the car is battery
or gasoline powered. This allows a golfer
with a disability, a frequent customer at
your course, to purchase his own car for use.
Many courses prohibit golf cars from going
into certain areas, like the front parking
lot, or along a route used heavily by automobiles.
But some golfers may need special consideration.
For example, a golfer with a disability may
need to transfer from his wheelchair into
a golf car or single rider or adapted car.
In these cases, they would need to leave their
wheelchair in their vehicle. Others with crutches,
walkers etc. would be aided by not having
to go from the parking lot to the bag drop
or pro shop carrying their clubs. There are
also devices that require attachment to the
golf car and can only be accomplished in the
parking lot. Bend your rules and allow that
golfer to have a golf car out in the parking
lot. In fact, if necessary, have a member
of your staff take the golf car out to the
lot. The golfer in a wheelchair can’t
drive the golf car and his wheelchair at the
same time.
Course management wants every golfer to come
into the pro shop. Those sleeves of balls,
shirts, hats, gift certificates, lessons and
clubs add up. Welcome golfers with disabilities
into your pro shop. If your counter in your
existing pro shop is higher than 36”,
come around the counter to conduct business.
Or better yet, reduce the height of a portion
of your counter to 36”, this nominal
cost sends a clear message that you understand
some elements of accessibility and are complying
where you can. That will translate into return
customers. Also, check the width of your aisles
to insure that the golfer can get to the counter.
They should be a minimum of 36” wide.
These are options when dealing with an existing
clubhouse. All newly constructed clubhouses
would need to comply with ADAAG.
5. What "rights" does management
have?
As always, the operator has the right to run
his or her operation and make a fair and reasonable
profit. Management makes the determination
to restrict carts to paths or allow no carts
if weather or agronomic conditions dictate.
Management has no right to treat any individual
with a disability in any way differently than
another paying golfer. In the event of any
litigation, the burden of proof will fall
to management to justify his or her action.
It is suggested that the owner or operator
refer to the resources listed in this tool
kit, such as the USGA’s From Bag Drop
to 19th Hole, http://golfcenterdisabilities.usga.org,
as they implement policies and procedures.
6. When do I have to have everything done?
All areas of your operation should already
be accessible and meet ADAAG if built after
1992. The ADA became effective in 1990. If
there are elements of your facility not in
compliance, planning to make them accessible
should begin as soon as possible. The requirements
for golf courses covered by title III (privately
owned courses) states that “barriers”
be removed when it is “readily achievable.”
Readily achievable is defined as “easily
accomplishable and able to be carried out
without much difficulty or expense.”
Just use common sense to make decisions about
making your course accessible. A strong, good
faith effort towards compliance goes a long
way in your defense.
A golf course owned or operated by a unit of
state or local government, such as a municipal
park and recreation department or a course
at a state university, is subject to title
II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The title II requirements for existing courses
are that courses shall make changes to the
course or the facility when such changes are
necessary to make the program (of golf) accessible.
This “program access” test is
different than ready achievability and requires
more effort by state and local governments.
7. My facility is more than 20 years old
and making it accessible will cost too much.
Can the work be scheduled on a staggered basis?
What are my options?
Clubhouse facilities and other non-playing
surfaces are already addressed under the original
ADAAG should be accessible if constructed
after 1992. In terms of making the golf course
itself accessible the Access Board’s
draft final guidelines are the most recent
work on the issue in this area (www.access-board.gov/recreation/status.htm).
Basically, as you renovate your course, you
must make sure that accessibility is part
of the plan. There are many architects and
golf course builders who have expertise in
the ADA and in making golf courses accessible.
They will help ensure that you are in compliance.
Removing barriers to golfers with disabilities’
ability to enjoy and participate in the game
is the key. The standard is that privately-owned
courses must make changes that are “readily
achievable.”
8. If it isn't obvious, how can I tell
someone has a disability?
This is a frequent and difficult question.
The ADA defines a person with a disability
as someone with a condition or disorder that
has a substantial affect on one or more major
life functions such as walking, hearing, seeing,
etc. Temporary conditions are generally excluded,
but a severe, long lasting injury could meet
the test. The preferred approach is to assume
that anyone that identifies themselves as
having a disability should be accommodated.
Many individuals who have a permanent disability
are eligible for and have a parking permit.
While this is not particularly relevant to
golf, it is the only standard identification
from state to state, and does require medical
documentation. A different approach is to
provide a flag for a person with a disability
or other identifier to everyone who requests
it.
Every operation should have a policy that outlines
the requirements to be eligible for reasonable
accommodations. You may ask a golfer to disclose
what their disability is if you choose to
do so.
9. How often should I train my staff on
the requirements of the ADA and accessibility
of the course?
As a golf course owner or operator, you should
review your policies and the success of their
implementation annually. Because of the turnover
in frontline employees, training on the ADA
and accessibility should be included in all
new employee orientation and then a refresher
training held for all staff at least once
a year.
10. Are there any tax credits available
as I make my business accessible?
The ADA provides for a tax credit outlining
amounts that may be provided in making an
existing facility accessible. See www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/taxpack.htm
and www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/26/44.html.
11. We have a telephone automated tee
time system. Am I required to make it accessible
for people who are deaf or hard of hearing?
Whether you use a TTY or an automated system
someone who is hearing impaired must be able
to make a reservation. If a golfer identifies
himself as deaf when checking in, please insure
someone from your staff or one of his playing
partners lets him know when his time is called.
Phone systems in every state also have the
relay system, where a caller who is deaf can
use a third-party to make calls. Course staff
should be aware of the relay system for outgoing
and incoming calls.
12. I had a golfer with a disability come
in with a friend. The golfer was from Brazil.
Does the ADA apply to people from other countries?
All customers count. The law of the land covers
all individuals, with or without disabilities,
while they are visiting.
13. All of my teeing areas have 8"
curbing. Do I have to tear it out?
The draft final Accessibility Guidelines require
that one or more teeing grounds on each hole
be made accessible, i.e. ability to get a
golf car onto the teeing ground. If there
are barriers that prohibit access, then they
should be removed – or altered to provide
a golf car passage. Study your course. Are
there artificial barriers that won't permit
access to a tee or green such as roping or
signage? You should work toward the goal of
making it possible for all golfers to have
access to the course. It might not be necessary
to tear out all curbing. You might be able
to cut an opening in the curb to allow access
to the tee or fairway, or build a ramp over
the barrier. (www.access-board.gov/recreation/status.htm)
14. Our policy is everyone has to rent
a cart, whether they use it or not. If a blind
person brings a "coach", do I have
to give him a cart for free?
So long as you are consistent in your policies
toward all customers, you won’t violate
the ADA. If the ‘coach’ is not
playing golf, then you cannot charge him for
the cart. However, they don’t necessarily
need a separate cart since they most likely
will be riding with the blind golfer.
15. Other players have asked not to play
with a golfer with a disability, what do I
do?
You should not honor such requests. How would
you reply if it were a preference not to play
with a woman, or a Hispanic or an African
American? Honoring such a request is discriminatory.
16. My course has a lot of water on it
and I am afraid a golfer with a disability
may drive their cart into the lake.
Anyone that is careless while driving a cart
can run into a water hazard – whether
they have a disability or not. All cart drivers
are responsible for driving safely and responsibly.
As stated before, you cannot discriminate
against people with disabilities and you can’t
develop policies based on stereotypes or perceptions.
17. I closed the course to all but walkers.
Someone with a disability showed up, saw the
mowers were let out and then demanded an accommodation.
This situation must be evaluated on a case-by-case
basis. The answer does not depend on whether
or not mowing equipment is out. An owner is
within his/her rights to deny accommodation
if it will negatively impact the course. If
the course is closed to cars as a result of
an agronomic decision such as overseeding,
weather, etc., you are within your rights
as a business owner. Train your staff to include
consideration of the type of accommodation
that is being requested (i.e. what if any
type of adaptive device is being used) before
denying access to the course.
18. Our policy is to allow anyone who needs
to to drive the golf cart as close as 30 feet
from the fringe. A customer with a disability
demands to drive closer and I have even heard
of some driving onto the green. Do I have
to allow a golfer with a disability unlimited
access with their cart – including on
to greens?
This situation arises frequently. Golfers
with disabilities need full access to the
game, including the greens. The ADA requires
you to make a reasonable accommodation. The
only exception is if weather or agronomic
conditions are such that a golf car on the
green will cause irreparable damage and significant
financial harm. Once again, the burden of
proof lies with the golf course operator.
On the issue of golf cars on the greens, product
development continues to develop “greens
friendly” mobility devices. The PSI
of some of these single rider golf cars on
the greens surface is no more than or less
than the human footprint and less than that
applied by motorized mowing equipment. Include
information in your golf car policy regarding
the appropriate operation of a motorized car
on the green. As stated above, the burden
of proof, in case of complaint or litigation,
will rest on the golf course owner to prove
that allowing these mobility devices on greens
surfaces will create an undo burden. It is
important to be factual when you make this
decision and not rely on perceptions or stereotypes.
19. Sometimes when golfers without disabilities
follow golfers with disabilities, they complain
about the slow pace of play. What do I do?
The first thing is to be careful. Too often
a golfer with a disability seems to automatically
be the focus for charges of slow play when
they are not the cause. No player, regardless
of disability should slow play. The impact
on other players is unacceptable. However,
don't focus on the golfers with disabilities
to the exclusion of other groups. If in fact
an individual with a disability may be slowing
down the field, perhaps some assistance or
lessons might help, just as you would offer
for others who slow down play. Training of
your marshals and rangers on sensitivity to
this is key. Just as you don’t want
them always singling out women, juniors or
senior citizens as the source of slow play,
they should not automatically look to your
customers with disabilities as the source.
A good resource for this issue is the USGA’s
From Bag Drop to 19th Hole, http://golfcenterdisabilities.usga.org.
20. I believe golfers with disabilities
would have a better experience at my course
if they utilized the afternoon tee times.
Can I encourage them to come to the course
at those times?
All of your customers appreciate knowing good
times to play your course. However it is discriminatory
to restrict golfers with disabilities to certain
times of the day. All players must have equal
access.
21. Because my course is flat, more golfers
with disabilities come here to play. How can
I even things out and let the wear be the
same?
Controlling and minimizing wear on a golf course
is an issue regardless of the demographics
of your clientele. First, meet with your superintendent.
Define the areas of wear. Generally, a change
in roping direction or some other minor alteration
will take care of the problem.
22. I got a phone call yesterday asking
about my golf car policy. Should I have one?
Yes. You should have a written accessibility
policy that not only spells out how and when
golf cars are provided, but also welcomes
the golfer with a disability. This should
be visible so that golfers without disabilities
and all golf course staff are fully aware
of your policy. Your policy should state what
the ADA requires, that all reasonable accommodations
are made. For example:
Green Acre Golf Course welcomes golfers with
disabilities. The course will make reasonable
accommodations to ensure that golfers with
disabilities are able to enjoy the course.
See John Jones at the course for more information.
23. Am I required by law to provide single
rider golf cars at my golf course?
This issue is the focus of much debate and
is being examined by the U.S. Department of
Justice. The “law” includes the
ADA statute itself, the implementing federal
regulations, administrative decisions about
golf course disputes, and court decisions.
The text of the ADA does not address single-rider
golf cars and we have asked the DOJ for clarification
on this issue.
24. My fellow owners and operators don't
see any golfers with disabilities at their
courses and don't think there is a problem.
Why should I be the first to do something?
This is an often-heard question. Why should
I go through the expense and effort if no
one will come? The only answer is that eventually
they will. The number of outreach programs
introducing people with disabilities to the
game of golf is increasing. Also, as the population
continues to age, many of your regular customers
may begin to require some types of accommodation.
By the year 2020, one in every four persons
will be 65 years of age or older. Many of
these individuals will also have a disability.
It is good for business to plan now for the
future.
25. It seems to me that a good strategy
is to wait until somebody complains, then
address the problem.
A policy such as the one you suggest will eventually
fall on its own weight. In addition to the
potential negative publicity, think of all
the revenue you may have lost by not addressing
the needs of these golfers. Further, if you
wait and lose in a court of law or administrative
decision, you will also have to incur the
costs of an attorney and the costs of the
complainant’s attorney.
26. Do I have to have special clubs for
rent for golfers with disabilities?
No. You are not required to have special clubs
available for rent.
27. I need to restrict golfers with disabilities
to certain holes because my course is very
hilly. Will this policy put me in violation
of the ADA?
The question of course safety and where it
is appropriate for a golfer to take a cart
is the decision of the cart driver. If there
are specific and unique circumstances that
concern you, please let the golfer with a
disability know before his round. However,
you must make your decisions on where golf
cars may go applicable to ALL golfers, not
just those with disabilities. You may ban
all golf cars from certain holes, but not
just cars used by golfers with disabilities.
28. I know it’s the right thing to
do and good for the game and business, but
how do I get more golfers with disabilities
to my course?
Without knowledge about your course, golfers
won’t come. The same rule applies to
golfers with disabilities. If they don’t
know about your course, they won’t come
and you will miss out on that market segment.
There are numerous opportunities for golf
course marketing to people with disabilities.
Golfers with disabilities come in all shapes
and sizes, and just like other golfers, with
varying skills and varying degrees of readiness
to golf.
There are as many as 6,000 municipal park and
recreation departments throughout the country.
All provide recreation opportunities for adults
and children with disabilities, and many employ
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists.
These departments employ specialists who are
skilled in recreation program planning and
have knowledge of various disabilities. A
phone call, a meeting, and an invitation for
the parks and recreation agency to use your
course and your staff for scheduled golf programs,
lessons, leagues, tournaments and clinics
for people with disabilities is a great start.
Some people with disabilities learn or relearn
golf after an injury resulting in disability.
Hospitals and rehabilitation centers employ
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists,
occupational therapists and physical therapists,
all of who have the opportunity to use golf
as a rehabilitation tool. These professionals
will welcome an approach from a golf course
regarding clinics, outings, and lessons for
patients from the hospital or rehabilitation
facility. To contact these professionals,
call your local hospital and ask for the recreation
therapy department, occupational therapy department
or physical therapy department. Additionally,
more PGA and LPGA golf professionals are learning
to teach people with disabilities to play
golf and are willing to assist. Check with
your local PGA Section for the names of these
professionals.
29. Do I have to change my pricing policy?
It is not necessary to change any policy except
to increase accessibility. The key is that
all policies must apply equally to all people.
30. Most of my revenue comes from golf
car rental, can I charge a trail fee if someone
brings one of those single rider golf cars?
It depends on what your trail fee policy is
for non-disabled golfers. They should be the
same. If a trail fee is charged for a golfer
without a disability, the same fee can be
charged for a golfer who brings a single rider
car he or she owns.
If you offer single rider carts and someone
wants to use their own single rider car, then
you may charge a trail fee; as you would for
another golfer who brings his or her own golf
car.
If your course is walking only, the person
with a mobility disability does not have the
option to walk so you must make an accommodation
to allow the adaptive device (golf car or
single rider car) without charging a fee.
Facilities
31. How many accessible parking spaces
am I required to have?
The number of parking spaces required to be
accessible to people with disabilities is
found in the Americans with Disabilities Act
Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG), www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm.
These rules, which became effective in 1992,
state that you must have at least one accessible
parking place per 25 total spaces. Where only
one accessible space is provided, it must
be an accessible van space. The rules also
state that parking spaces should be placed
closest to the area/facility being accessed.
Therefore, it is also important to consider
the placement of those accessible spaces.
They should be located where they provide
the best access to your facility for golfers
with disabilities. For example, near the bag
drop and clubhouse entrance. Be sure to check
local and state requirements that may exceed
federal ADA requirements.
32. Do I also have to provide parking that
is accessible to vans?
These rules are also found in the ADAAG –
one van accessible space is required for every
eight spaces that are required to be accessible.
Be sure the spaces are cleared for the van
user and do not have inappropriate devices
such as dumpsters, etc. that would not permit
a van to be opened. (www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm)
Additionally, check local and state requirements,
which may exceed ADAAG requirements for accessibility.
33. I don’t allow golf cars in my
parking lot. Am I required to allow a playing
partner to bring a golf car to the parking
lot to assist the golfer with disabilities?
Some facilities do not allow golf cars in the
parking lot for insurance purposes. This may
put a burden on the player with a disability
in getting to your course. Please examine
your procedures, and if golf cars cannot be
allowed on your lot, perhaps a golf car attendant
can pick up the individual with a disability
and his/her equipment in the parking lot.
The issue is customer service – making
this accommodation will ensure that the customer
with a disability has a good experience at
your course.
34. What accommodations have to be made
in the clubhouse?
These are found in the ADAAG (www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm).
35. I contract out my food and beverage
operations to another entity. What are my
responsibilities in this scenario?
The ADA applies to all facilities and services
– including those operated under contract.
If there is a potential problem, corrective
action should be taken to insure that people
with disabilities have access to all amenities
associated with your golf operation.
36. How wide do the aisles in my retail
shop need to be?
The ADAAG require aisle space in a retail environment
to be at least 36 inches wide. In some cases
where turning is required, additional space
will be needed. (www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm).
You should be aware of the guidelines, and
always remember to make it easy for any customer,
with or without a disability to spend money.
37. Our dressing room is uni-sex. Is this
acceptable?
Yes. However, it should be wheelchair accessible.
Where male and female dressing rooms are provided,
they must also be accessible.
38. If my golf shop cash register and counter
are too high to meet ADAAG guidelines, do
I have to get a new one?
Yes if it is “readily achievable.”
In addition, staff should have specific training
on providing good customer service. Program
access is the key to accessibility. Your customers
with disabilities should be served as effectively
and completely everyone else. So, as an example,
your employees would need to be trained to
come out from behind the counter to assist
the customer with a disability if an existing
counter is too high.
Alliance for Accessible
Golf
Tool Kit
Resources
USGA Resource Center for Golfers with Disabilities
http://golfcenterdisabilities.usga.org/
National Center on Accessibility
www.ncaonline.org/golf/golf4all.htm
DOJ Hotlines
Advice about specific ADA compliance issues
is available from government experts by contacting
the following hotlines:
Access Board
800-872-2253, www.access-board.gov
Regional Disability & Business Technical
Assistance Centers
800/949-4232, www.adata.org
National Golf Course Owners Association
www.ngcoa.org
Golf Course Superintendents Association of
America
www.gcsaa.org
Golf Course Builders Association of America
www.gcbaa.org
American Society of Golf Course Architects
www.golfdesign.org
PGA of America
www.pga.com
Ladies Professional Golf Association
www.lpga.com
American Society of Golf Course Architects
www.golfdesign.org
NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR ACCESSIBLE
GOLF
GOLF COURSE ACCESS CHECK LIST
Draft 4 August 28,
2002
Accessibility Guidelines
These guidelines incorporate existing federal
guidelines for all buildings, and the proposed
federal guidelines for golf courses. These
can be applied to golf facilities and are
included here as links to web sites which
contain extensive checklists. Course managers
can utilize these checklists to evaluate the
accessibilty of their course and facilities.
Instructions
Study these checklists and make sure you understand
the elements. Review the elements item by
item to see how well your facility complies
with ADA Accessibility Guidelines. This process
helps you identify areas where changes can
be made to make your course more accesible
to golfers with disabilities. Remember, the
greater the accessibility, the more golfers
with disabilities will use your course.
It is important to remember that some states,
and some local governments, have accessibility
codes that are more stringent than the federal
guidelines. Course management should contact
state officials in human rights, public health,
capital development, or the office of the
attorney general to obtain any state laws
or regulations that may be applicable to accessibility
in golf courses. At the local level, call
the municipal building code department and
the county building code department.
Here are some specific recommendations on the
use of this checklist.
1. Create a team to inspect the course. The
team approach gives you more perspectives
on accessibility and is more likely to result
in a better inspection, and more importantly,
a better golf course. The team should include
a person from the following areas:
A. Course management;
B. A golf professional at the course;
C. Operations or Maintenance
D. Customers without disabilities
E. People with disabilities (preferrably
someone who plays golf)
F. Course Safety Committee (if applicable)
It helps to designate one member of the team
as a recorder and others as measurers. This
simplifies activity at each site.
2. Have the right tools. To inspect the course,
you need:
A. This checklist;
B. A level;
C. A 25’ measuring tape;
D. ADAAG (28 CFR Part 36, Appendix A)
E. State laws or guidelines
F. County laws or guidelines
G. City laws or guidelines
H. Turf spray or something to mark the
grass for measurements
I. Digital camera
J. Other
3. Prior to inspection, have an orientation
with the entire team. Discuss the reasons
why the checklist is being used. Be sure to
note that the checklist will help identify
areas where the course does not comply and
that by identifying these areas, the course
will become better. Describe what will happen
after the inspection, and that good faith
efforts will be made to bring the course into
compliance. Discuss the desire of the course
to have more players who have disabilities
on the course. Review the checklist and reference
materials so that everyone on the team has
the same understanding of what is being measured.
The more familiar you are with the checklist,
the easier it will be to use.
4. During the inspection, carefully measure
and count the elements being reviewed. Don’t
“guess” the number of parking
spaces, count them precisely. Don’t
guess on the height of a ballwash, measure
it as described in the checklist.
Measure everything, and don’t rush. The
absence of notes about an element could mean
that you looked and thought it complied, so
didn’t mark anything. It could also
mean you never looked at it. Don’t leave
this question to someone else’s interpretation.
If an element is unique and does not match
anything described in the checklist, take
a digital picture of it for later analysis.
5. If you take digital pictures, use them as
examples for common issues that were observed,
whether compliant or noncompliant. This saves
the time sof describing the same issue for
every hole or practice area. If pictures are
takken, incorporate them into the final report.
6. After the inspection, meet as a team and
review notes. You’ll find that some
elements were missed or that measurements
or counts from one member of the team differ
from another member of the team. It is also
a chance for the team to discuss “close
calls”, like whether a counter in the
pro shop ballwash that misses the proper height
by 1/4” is a problem.
7. When drafting the final report, offer factual
statements, not opinions. Don’t avoid
or gloss over areas where you have observed
problems. The noncompliant elements will only
be resolved once a clear understanding the
the problem exists.
Private Entities that Provide Public
Accommodations
A privately owned golf course, whether for
profit or nonprofit, that is open to the public,
is subject to title III of the Americans with
Disabilities Act. The title III requirements
for existing courses are that courses shall
make changes to the course or a facility when
to do so is “readily achievable”.
Readily achievable is federalese for “inexpensive
and easy to do” and is considered against
all the resources of the course. For more
about the readily achievable test and how
to apply it to golf courses, click on the
link provided for Private Courses.
Units of State and Local Government
A golf course owned or operated by a unit of
state or local government, such as a municipal
parks and recreation department or a course
at a state university, is subject to title
II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The title II requirements for existing courses
are that courses shall make changes to the
course or the facility when such changes are
necessary to make the program (of golf) accessible.
This “program access” test is
different than ready achievability and requires
more effort by state and local governments.
For more about the Program Access test and
how to apply it to golf courses, click on
the link provided for State or Local Government
Courses.
Getting Started
The following are web sites created by the
Access Board to provide guidance to facilities
seeking to evaluate their compliance with
the ADA and the accessiblity of their facilties.
For your facilties:
ADAAG Guidelines
www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm
ADAAG Checklist in HTML
www.access-board.gov/adaag/checklist/a16.html
ADAAG Checklist in PDF format
www.access-board.gov/adaag/checklist/pdf/a16.pdf
The above links are all from:
www.access-board.gov/indexes/pubsindex.htm
For your course:
www.access-board.gov/recreation/summary.htm#GOLFCOURSES
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