Jill MacDonald/Rick Goodman
Topic:
Golf should be for everyone.
Description
Golf Carts, Adaptive Carts and Putting Greens.
● Greens: What are the real issues?
● The reality for golfers with disabilities as we approach the green.
● Access vs. damage
● The fear of setting a precedent when accommodating golfers with disabilities
● Adaptive cart policy and Superintendent discretion
● Benefits of allowing access for golfers with disabilities
● Accessibility is not reckless, it is access that is managed
● Protecting the Turf, but also protecting dignity
Accessibility Does Not Mean Redesigning the Whole Course.
● Most barriers are small fixes
● Golfers are changing and courses haven’t caught up yet
● Accessibility is operational excellence, not pity or special treatment
● Superintendents are already masters of adaptation
● Accessibility is not about changing golf. It is about who gets to play.
1. Golf for everyone makes good business sense
2. It’s going to be the law. ● Brief review of implications from the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act and Regulations .
3. Concepts on how progressive Superintendents can help ideas in design.
4. Red flag policy is often the key.
5. Adaptive carts are not a problem: Study 2024,Kansas State Univ.
The colour and contrast of tee markers and flagsticks.
● There is no rule for a single colour, so consider two colour flags and flagsticks (e.g. red and white).
Blind and Visually Impaired golfers don’t drive.
● They will often have a non-playing guide accompanying them
