A majority of the golf courses in the U.S. are required by law to be accessible to disabled golfers. Some courses are hesitant to move forward, citing the financial burden it could cause. But Martin Ebel, general counsel for the Massachusetts Commission against Discrimination, says not only is it the law, but becoming accessible to disabled golfers can open additional revenue windows.
Ebel explained what’s required during his presentation, Accommodating People with Disabilities – Staying out of Court and Making Money in the Process, at the United States Golf Association Green Section Educational Conference.
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During the presentation, held at the recent Golf Industry Show in Anaheim, Calif., Ebel explained most golf courses’ responsibilities (and recommended that all courses follow them):
- There should be a policy; it should be written and posted.
- There should be a single rider golf cart available.
- Golf course employees should be aware of what they can and can’t ask of the disabled.
There’s no reason not to make the course more accessible, Ebel says. With rounds in decline, there is a push to grow the game. One avenue is to reach out to the more than 54 million disabled people in the country. Plus, the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to most golf courses. All public and municipal courses and most private courses are required to follow it. Plus, he adds, it’s the right thing to do.
Several arguments against becoming ADA compliant can be disproved, Ebel says. For instance, course operators are often concerned that an ADA upgrade is costly, but Ebel says any initial money spent will pay off. Golfers rarely play alone, which means the disabled person likely will bring three others golfers and make it a foursome. And, once word gets around, more disabled golfers will come to play.
It can be eve more costly not to become ADA compliant. Disabled people can file lawsuits against courses that aren’t accessible. “Even if you win at trial, you’ll pay $50,000 to $100,000,” Ebel says, adding it also costs time and aggravation.
He cites the case in 2001 in which professional golfer Casey Martin sued the Professional Golfers Association Tour. Martin suffers from a birth defect in his right leg known as Klippel Trenaunay Weber syndrome, which can make it painful for him to walk, but PGA rules dictated that he was not allowed to use a cart. The ruling changed that.
“Golf cars need to be supplied to those who have trouble walking,” Ebel says. “It’s that simple.”
A single rider cart purchase doesn’t have to put a golf course out of business. Tax credits are available for some courses. If the course’s budget is below $1 million, the government will likely share the cost of the equipment up to $10,000 by way of a tax credit.
Another argument against upgrading for the disabled is that equipment like single rider carts can damage the course. Ebel says courses including Pinehurst “have grass as good as or better than yours, and they have single rider carts.”
The ADA says golf courses must provide reasonable accommodations. That means the accommodations can’t be expensive, they must provide a safe experience and they must remove any barriers that might arise for golfers. This includes accessible teeing grounds and weather shelters. There needs to be a 5-foot-wide path every 75 yards and each green must have a point of entry for the single rider cart.
Besides the course, parking lots, restrooms, the club house, the pro shop counter and every other aspect of the facility falls under the ADA. The only exemption is if the changes create an undue burden on the course. “This means any alteration so expensive, it would be irresponsible to do it,” Ebel says. However, he adds, it’s hard to prove in court that the alterations would have caused a burden.
Ebel recommends course managers start by auditing the facility to determine the current level of compliance. If there are changes that could be made, and they don’t create too much of a burden, make the changes. Finally, invest in a single rider cart.
Despite the ADA and the idea of a possible lawsuit, some golf course owners and managers are still not convinced to spend the money to upgrade. They’re held back by the thought that there is no demand for features that accommodate the disabled. “I think you’ll find if you build it, they will come,” Ebel says.
