Accessibility for golfers with disabilities: it's tee time.

According to the National Golf Foundation, the number of golfers in the United States more than doubled between 1970 and 1991, to 24.7 million players. Most U.S. golfers (80 percent) play at least 50 percent of their rounds on public courses (Schroeder, 1991). The popularity of golf is clearly on the rise, with increasing interest by women and by youth and teens. This is due, in part, to increased media attention given to women golfers, and to the recent notoriety gained by younger players, such as Tiger Woods, who has taken the golf world by storm.

One of the Fastest Growing Sports Among the Physically Challenged 

The development of golf as a sport is reaching new heights, but one of golf's greatest stories is what is happening with the disabled. Golf is one of the fastest growing sports among the physically challenged because it places as much emphasis on the mental as the physical aspects of the game. In addition, golf is one of the few sports where a player with a disability competes on the same playing field as unimpaired golfers. Other sports--such as basketball, football and bowling--have structured leagues for competition, but golf is unique in that everyone competes against the same foe...the golf course. That "level" playing field, say many golfers with disabilities, is what attracts them to the sport.

In the 1950s, the idea of someone playing golf in a wheelchair was almost unheard of. But now the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures all people access to public facilities, which includes municipal golf courses. That has flung the door wide open for the estimated 49 million Americans in the United States with some form of physical disability (U.S. Census Bureau, 1990). Of this group, only two to three million participate in some form of organized physical or social activity.

By becoming physically active, people with disabilities can increase mobility, self-confidence, independence and productivity. Studies have shown that physically challenged people participating in a sports and recreation programs tend to lead healthier lives with fewer doctors visits and hospitalizations.

National Groups and Associations

Helping thousands of the disabled enjoy the unique pleasure of hitting a golf ball are several national groups (see Figure 1), the oldest of which is the National Amputee Golf Association (NAGA). A1most 50 years ago a small group of World War II amputees recognized the importance that participation in the sport of golf played in their own rehabilitation. Believing that participation in physical activity could also benefit others, they formed an organization to promote and offer physical and mental therapy to amputees through involvement with golf. NAGA now boasts over 3,500 members and sponsors over 30 regional and national golf tournaments each year.

Figure 1. Associations and Groups That Focus on Golfers with Disabilities

Association of Disabled American Golfers (ADAG) 7700 E Arapahoe Road, Suite 350 Englewood, CO 80112 Phone: [phone]

National Amputee Golf Association (NAGA) P.O. Box 1228 Amherst, NH 03031 Phone: [phone] e-mail: [e-mail]

National Handicapped Sports and Recreation Association (NHSRA) 1145 19th Street, NW Suite 717 Washington, DC 20036

Physically Limited Golfers Association (PLGA) 701 N. 6th Avenue East Duluth, MN 55805

Special Olympics International Golf Director: Selden Fritschner 1350 New York Avenue, NW #500 Washington, DC 20005 Phone: [phone]

United States Blind Golfers Association (USBGA) 3094 Shamrock Street North Tallahassee, FL 32308 Phone: [phone]

The Access Board Phone: [phone]

Other national organizations supportive of golfers with disabilities include: the Association of Disabled American Golfers, founded in 1992; the National Handicapped Sports and Recreation Association; Physically Limited Golfers Association; the United States Blind Golfers Association; Special Olympics International; and the Access Board.

Models of Accessibility

Clemson's Walker Course, at Clemson University, is rapidly gaining a reputation as a model of accessibility for a championship-level, 18-hole golf course. Edward J. Hamilton, director of research for the National Center on Accessibility at Indiana University says, "It is absolutely incredible . . . I expect the Clemson course will become widely regarded as one of the most successful, accessible courses in the world." Clemson's National Project for Accessible Golf has a long-term commitment to seek new technologies and programs which will benefit golfers with disabilities.

In 1996, the fifth National Forum on Accessible Golf was attended by faculty members from departments of parks, recreation and tourism management, agricultural and biological engineering, horticulture, and fisheries and wildlife. These professionals with diverse backgrounds have continued to work together to demonstrate that a beautiful, championship-caliber course can also be fully accessible to golfers with disabilities.

Only one other 18-hole course in the country--Fox Hollow in Littleton, Colorado--has been specifically designed to be accessible to persons who are physically challenged (Hamilton, 1993). Fairfax County Park Authority, in Virginia, is also noteworthy, as four out of five of their public golf courses are accessible to golfers who have physical limitations (Hutchinson, 1996).

Outstanding Programs for Golfers with Disabilities

Two outstanding programs specifically designed for golfers with disabilities include Fore Hope, in Columbus, Ohio, and the South Florida Golf Academy, in Margate, Florida.

According to Mindy Derr, the mission of Fore Hope is, "to provide a therapeutic golfing program for persons with disabilities or inactive lifestyles, while assisting them with their physical and emotional development." Fore Hope serves the following (but is not limited to): amputees, arthritis patients, developmentally disabled, heart patients, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy patients, rehabilitation facilities, residential care centers, the sight impaired, and stroke patients.

"Golf--Game of a Lifetime!" is the slogan of the South Florida Golf Academy, which provides quality golf programs for people with permanent or temporary disabilities. Founder and president, Judy Alvarez (a PGA/LPGA professional golf instructor with more than 15 years of experience), believes golf encourages strength, flexibility, endurance, and mobility. Using adaptive techniques and equipment, people with disabilities can play golf, and Alvarez wants everyone to know this. Mindy Derr has found that her Fore Hope program offers many other advantages to golfers, because: participants are no longer just spectators, sedentary lifestyles become active again, golfing combats depression, and participation enhances social interaction and independence.

Specialized Teaching and Equipment

Two video cassettes are available that can provide information on how to teach golf to persons with disabilities (see Figure 2.) Peter Longo's "Challenge Golf" video covers teaching keys and equipment alterations for various physical limitations, including amputees, individuals in wheelchairs, blind individuals, paraplegic, and arthritic golfers. "Never Say Never," by Kathy Corbin offers teaching information on an even wider variety of physical limitations.

Figure 2. Teaching Videos and Specialized Golf Equipment

Helpful Videos

Challenge Golf--By Peter Longo Motivation Media 1245 Milwaukee Avenue Glenview, lllinois 60025 Phone: [phone]

Never Say Never--By Kathy Corbin 1309 E. Northern, No. 303 Phoenix, Arizona 35020 Phone: [phone]

Companies That Provide Specialized Golf Equipment:

Access to Rehabilitation: Located in Thousand Oaks, California, this company manufactures a variety of specialized golf equipment. For more information, call 300-634-4351.

Clever Clubs: Dennis "Bones" Evers, located in Hayfield, Colorado, designed "Clever Clubs," a set of adaptive golf clubs designed specifically for persons with physical disabilities. The set includes a full set of long shaft dubs, a short-chaff putter and a set of "Shorty" dubs. These dubs are adaptable for all sorts of disabilities. Evers also offers a Therapy and Rehab package that includes four Shorty putters, a dozen balls, a puffing cup and electric ball return. Phone: call 800-634-4351.

Golf Xpress Golf Cart: Electric Mobility, New Jersey. Able to carry up to 450 pounds. Has a multiple-position, locking swivel seat with lift-up armrests. Frontmount golf bag carrier Options include an electric seatlift. Phone: [phone].

Hirider Golf Cart: Falcon Rehabilitative Products, Denver. Elevates a golfer to a standing position. Featured et the National Forum on Accessible Golf. Phone [phone].

A number of helpful written sources are also available, such as the National Golf Foundation (1995) InfoPac: Accommodating Disabled Golfers, comprised of 39 articles, including several on both teaching and instruction, as well as information on equipment that is available to the physically challenged. A number of companies now manufacture specialized golf equipment, including golf clubs and golf carts. Tom Houston, owner of Falcon Rehabilitative Products, manufactures the Hirider cart which elevates a golfer to a standing position. The Golf Xpress, a new single-rider cart manufactured by Electric Mobility, has one-third the weight of a conventional golf cart, leaves less impression that a human footprint--even on greens--and is able to climb slopes up to 30 percent grade. So, with a desire to play golf, and equipment that will enable them to do so, golfers with special challenges are ready to set some tee times!

Making New and Existing Golf Courses Accessible

What is an accessible golf course? Recommendations by the Professional Golfers Association (PGA), the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA), indicate that major accessibility considerations for new golf course construction include the following parameters (Robb, 1994):

* Practice areas shall be accessible from golf cart paths or parking areas.

* Where practice tees, bunkers, puffing and chipping greens are provided, atleast one of each will be accessible.

* Each teaching practice area shall have a minimum of one accessible practice tee.

* A practice sand bunker (if provided) shall be accessible (52 inches wide, no steeper than five percent grade, cross slope no greater than two percent, maximum two-inch lip height).

* Most course amenities must be accessible from the golf cart path or golf cart parking area.

* Restrooms and/or port-a-johns, and snack bars (if provided) must be accessible from golf cart paths.

* Weather shelters (where provided) shall have a minimum clearance of five feet by eight feet to allow room for a golf cart.

* At least one tee on each hole, and as many as possible, shall be accessible.

* There should be at least one accessible route to all puffing greens, except where extreme safety and terrain issues are involved.

* Where continuous access on the fairway is not possible because of natural barriers, access shall be provided at maximum distance of every 75 yards from golf cart paths, if terrain permits.

* New stand-alone practice facilities shall be accessible.

However, there are not any grade or cross-slope regulations governing fairways or roughs through the greens. Hazards and bunkers are not required to be accessible, however, where possible, at least one entry and departure point should be provided.

Following these seven recommendations can help transform a pre-existing golf course, making it accessible to all:

* Provide handicapped parking in close proximity to the bag drop and/or cart driving areas.

* Make the driving range and practice green accessible to a person in a golf cart.

* Build bridges that are wide enough to accommodate carts.

* Provide restrooms and/or port-a-johns that can be accessed by a person in a cart.

* Provide convenient curb cuts on cart paths to allow access.

* Provide drinking fountains, that are accessible, and also ball washers and snack bars (if possible).

* Incorporate special tees or putting surfaces that provide a true equivalent golfing experience for the person with a disability.

Notable Perks: Revenues Tax Credits and Deductions

Golf course owners, managers and operators could actually increase revenues substantially by actively targeting golfers who have disabilities. Another important financial element to consider under the ADA is a fairly new tax law allowing a disabled access tax credit and a barrier removal tax deduction. According to Robert Ochs (1993), who served as the senior director of communications for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), the tax credit allows a "small employer" ($1 million or less in gross receipts, or 30 or fewer employees during the preceding year) a tax credit of up to $5,000 a year for the expenses of making the business more accessible to the disabled.

The credit amounts to 50 percent of "eligible access expenditures" that exceed $250 but are less than $10, 250. "Eligible access expenditures" include money spent for: modifying equipment or devices; amounts spent for removing architectural, communication, physical or transportation barriers that prevent a business from being accessible to, or usable by, people with disabilities.

Employers of any size can get a tax deduction of up to $15,000 a year for the cost of removing specified architectural or transportation barriers. Examples include removing barriers to narrow doorways or inaccessible parking spaces.

It's Tee Time for Everyone!

According to the ADA, access to public facilities is a civil right for all Americans. Our mandate is to develop and implement ways to remove, replace or modify physical barriers that disallow golfers with disabilities complete access to the golf course and its amenities. Golfing can be a good way for an individual to get out and have fun in a relaxing environment, and to stress one's ability, not one's disability.

Ken Kramp of Cortland, Ohio is a 26-year-old who served as the assistant golf coach for his local high school. A fight with cancer could have ended his golfing career, but after having his left leg amputated, he saw the benefits he got from golf, and the therapy it provided for him. He sums up the value of golf in his life:

It was a chance to return to doing the things I

enjoyed before my disability. I never had

any reservation about not golfing. I had my

hands so I said, "Why can't I golf?" It's all

about learning tricks, and trading ideas with

each other and making adjustments

(Howard, 1997).

Kramp is right when he says, "Why should you not play golf because you're handicapped?" There are a lot of good golfers out there, some with long-term limitations, and some with temporary disabilities. People just want an opportunity to play! People of all ability levels deserve the same opportunities to drive, chip and putt on the relaxing, rolling greens of America's golf courses. It is tee time for everyone!

A complete list of references, and more information on accessible golf, is available from the author. Contact Dr. Mittelstaedt at [phone].