FEATURE
“The opportunity to enjoy golf provides wonderful
social, recreational and healthful experiences for
everyone. A welcoming and accessible golf facility
can benefit economically through increased food and
beverage, pro-shop sales and fees, as well as from
the satisfaction of providing a valuable service.”
– Jan Bel Jan, Jan Bel Jan Golf Course Design
The range of disabilities is very broad and, while there are
laws and codes to address building accessibility, foresighted golf
facility operators can learn how to better accommodate golfers
with a disability. Proper signage that directs patrons to the facility’s
goods and services is beneficial to everyone. Golf course
operators should ensure easy access to at least one teeing area per
hole. Creating additional tees, in a safe and accessible place, can
meet this need. If readily achievable (with not much difficulty or
expense), unobstructed golf cart access should be provided to all
areas to be reached by the golfer. Golf cart paths should provide
a modest slope for motorized vehicles, including for regular and
single rider golf carts.
Ropes and GPS limits on carts can be barriers for those who
need to get closer to the green for safety or for ease of access. Both
can be adjusted – ropes can be lowered and replaced, and GPS
units can be programmed for a specific cart. Red cart flags permit
closer proximity to tees and greens and can help to improve access
and speed of play. Consider making a map of accessible routes that
may include accessible tees, areas of the course to be avoided and
bunkers that may be difficult to access or egress.
Another consideration on the course is providing accessible
washrooms. If permanent facilities are not available, accessible
port-a-potties can meet the need. Also, consider the heights and
locations of water and other materials around the course. Where
there are steep slopes or difficult-to-access bunkers, the facility
can establish the use of the “Modified Rules of Golf for Players with
Disabilities” developed by the R&A and USGA. These Modified
Rules permit a safe drop area away from the slope or outside the
bunker, as well as other accommodations. When course renovations
are undertaken, it is important to consider how to make the
facility barrier-free.
Should a golf club or practice range want to encourage people
with a disability to enjoy the game, inviting adult or children’s
groups for clinics may inspire new golfers. Become familiar with
programs in your area for people with disabilities. A golf facility
could also establish a relationship with a rehabilitation hospital
as part of their community outreach. Golf can aid significantly
in recovery through an outdoor experience, with a helpful focus
on hand-eye coordination, improved balance, strength and flexibility
as well as sense of purpose. All of these contribute to the
wellbeing of the person with the disability as well as to family,
friends and companions.
Finally, Bel Jan recommends that golf facilities audit themselves
for accessibility, programs and training. They should include
information on their website to promote their accessibility, as
well noting any instruction, clinics or programs that may interest
people with disabilities and their families.
“An ‘invitation’ is always a great way to make people feel welcome
to your course,” said Bel Jan.
Golf for people who are visually impaired
Glenn Babcock is the president of the Ontario Visually Impaired
Golfers Association, serves as a director on the board of Blind
Golf Canada and sits on the Human Resources Committee of Golf
Canada. Babcock was born with his visual impairment. His father
was a golf professional, so Babcock grew up around golf courses
and had the benefit of learning to golf from a young age.
He says that some golfers are born blind or visually impaired,
while others have lost their sight due to injury or illness, or simply
as they age. For those who have lost their sight, being able to
continue an activity that they enjoy is important to their physical,
social and emotional wellbeing.
There are many golfers whose vision loss requires them to
seek assistance to play the game. Their “guide” may be a fellow golfer,
a non-golfing friend or a family member committed to helping
them enjoy the game. The guide helps the golfer get safely around
the course, lines them up for each shot and provides information
on distances and obstacles and, of course, the guide must also find
the ball!
Staff at golf courses should understand this partnership of
golfer and guide. Starters and marshals should be made aware of
the presence of a “walker.” Groups may be slower, as it takes more
time to set up a golfer who is blind or visually impaired. Babcock
recommends asking the golfer about their speed of play and how
much time they need for setup with their guide and then adjust the
group size if necessary.
Some courses have recognized the challenges in arranging
a game and offer incentives to encourage blind and visually
impaired people to play. Two-for-one rates for the golfer
and their guide, even if the guide is playing, are offered by some.
Others offer a discount and one club even offers a complimentary
nine-hole round for two golfers, and their guides, each week on
Monday afternoons.
24 § The Canadian Society of Club Managers § www.cscm.org
/www.cscm.org
