Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
What is ADA?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that prevents discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all public spaces. Its goal is to ensure equal rights and opportunities for people with disabilities.
ADA Application to Golf Courses
Where does ADA apply to golf courses?
Title III of ADA covers public golf courses, setting minimum accessibility standards for new and existing facilities. It prohibits discrimination and mandates reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
Compliance obligations by ADA standard:
- Tee boxes
- Putting greens
- Accessible routes (golf cart paths)
- Practice facilities, greens, driving ranges
- Swimming pools, recreation facilities
- Weather shelters
- Temporary facilities
- Restaurants
- Pro shops
- Parking Lots
Making Golf Courses Fully Accessible
How to make your golf course fully accessible?
- Accessible Routes: Ensure continuous, unobstructed paths connecting all elements.
- Course Barriers: Provide breaks in barriers (curbs) for SoloRider golf cart access, especially on par 3s.
- Teeing Grounds: Design teeing grounds for SoloRider golf cart access, with exceptions for terrain challenges.
- Weather Shelters: Design shelters with a clear space for golf carts to fit under.
- Range Facility: Make range hitting areas accessible for golf carts.
Misconceptions About People with Disabilities
What are the main misconceptions?
Pace of Play: Individuals with disabilities don’t necessarily slow down play. You’re able to apply pace of play policies consistently across all golfers on the course.
Accessible Devices: Devices like SoloRider Golf Carts are not harmful to golf courses and operate similarly to regular carts. The PSI of these SoloRiders are typically less than your green mowers. They should permitted on greens.
Golf Cart Access Rules under ADA
When can the golf cart-path only rule apply?
- ADA allows the golf cart-path only rule to apply when safety reasons are in effect, such as extreme wet conditions.
- Denying SoloRider golf cart on course access is allowed if it ensures safety, not for daily grounds maintenance.
- Walking-only courses can’t deny individuals with disabilities golf cart access under ADA.
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