Some information in this article was provided by the US Access Board and the National Alliance for Accessible Golf.

The purpose of this article is to review the requirements for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance at public golf courses. Public golf courses include those not privately owned and operated. Public golf courses are considered public accommodations. Public golf courses should not be confused with miniature golf courses.

The ADA requires that newly constructed and altered state and local government facilities, places of public accommodation, and commercial facilities be readily accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities. The ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) is the standard applied to buildings and facilities including recreational facilities such as golf courses. Within the ADA, Title II applies to facilities owned and/or operated by State and local governments, and Title III applies to those public accommodation facilities not owned and/or operated by State and local governments.

The US Access Board (USAB) issued accessibility guidelines for newly constructed and altered recreation facilities in 2002. The recreation facility guidelines (Guide) are a supplement to ADAAG. The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (2010 ADA Standards) incorporated the Guide and covers golf course installations specifically in Standards 238 and 1006. Standard 238 covers the scoping requirements for golf course installations, and Standard 1006 covers the technical requirements. The 1991 ADA Standards cover golf courses specifically in Standard 15.4.

The recreation guidelines for golf courses and 2010 ADA Standards provide specifications for elements within a golf course facility to create a general level of usability for individuals with disabilities. Emphasis is placed on ensuring that individuals with disabilities are generally able to access the golf course facility and use a variety of elements. Designers and operators are encouraged to exceed the guidelines and 2010 ADA Standards where possible to provide increased accessibility and opportunities. The graphic below is representative of a typical golf course facility.

Definitions

Accessible: Compliant with the 1991 ADA Standards or the 2010 ADA Standards.

Golf Course Facility: All the elements and spaces included in the area intended for the sport of golf. These elements and spaces would include parking, passenger loading/unloading zones, exterior walkways, clubhouse, pools, refreshment stands, bag drop, golf car rental areas, practice putting greens, teeing stations at driving ranges, teeing grounds, fairways, putting greens, course weather shelters, and course toilet rooms, etc.

Boundary of the Golf Course: This is the area where the holes of golf are located. Areas outside the boundary include the clubhouse, vehicle parking, pool, practice areas, bag drop, golf car rental, etc. This area can also be referred to as within the golf course boundary.

Golf Car Passage: A continuous passage on which a motorized golf car can operate. Golf car passages can be located within and outside the golf course boundary.

Accessible Route at a Golf Course: Accessible routes are continuous, unobstructed paths connecting all accessible elements and spaces of a building or facility on golf courses. The accessible route must comply with ADAAG provisions for location, slope [maximum of 1:12 or 8.33%], width [minimum 36 inches], passing space, protruding objects including head room, surface conditions, changes in level, doors, egress, and areas of rescue assistance, unless modified by specific provisions outlined in the Guide.

Teeing Ground: In golf, the starting place for the hole to be played. [Sometimes referred to as a tee box.]

Golf Facility Requirements Within the ADA

Parking and Clubhouse

The public parking area and clubhouse must comply with the ADA under Title III. Depending on the age of the facility or the date of alteration, either the 1991 ADA Standards or the 2010 ADA Standards will apply to these areas. See the table below for Title III facilities.

The 1991 ADA Standards and the 2010 ADA Standards apply to fixed or built-in elements of buildings, structures, site improvements, and pedestrian routes or vehicular ways located on a site. Unless specifically stated otherwise, advisory notes, appendix notes, and figures contained in the 1991 ADA Standards and 2010 ADA Standards explain or illustrate the requirements of the Standards; however, they do not establish enforceable requirements. New construction or alterations of existing golf course facilities going forward should comply with the 2010 ADA Standards.

Accessible Routes

The basic ADA Standard for accessible routes at golf courses is shown below.

2010 ADA Standard 206.2.15, [Accessible Routes, Where Required] Golf Facilities, states, “At least one accessible route shall connect accessible elements and spaces within the boundary of the golf course. In addition, accessible routes serving golf car rental areas; bag drop areas; course weather shelters complying with 238.2.3; course toilet rooms; and practice putting greens, practice teeing grounds, and teeing stations at driving ranges complying with 238.3 shall comply with Chapter 4 except as modified by 1006.2. EXCEPTION: Golf car passages complying with 1006.3 shall be permitted to be used for all or part of accessible routes required by 206.2.15.”

2010 ADA Standard 1006.2, [Golf Courses] Accessible Routes, states, “Accessible routes serving teeing grounds, practice teeing grounds, putting greens, practice putting greens, teeing stations at driving ranges, course weather shelters, golf car rental areas, bag drop areas, and course toilet rooms shall comply with Chapter 4 and shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) wide minimum. Where handrails are provided, accessible routes shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) wide minimum. EXCEPTION: Handrails shall not be required on golf courses. Where handrails are provided on golf courses, the handrails shall not be required to comply with [Standard] 505.” The graphic below is representative of this Standard for accessible golf course route width.

Golf Car Passages

2010 ADA Standard 1006.3, Golf Car Passages, states, “Golf car passages shall comply with 1006.3.

2010 ADA Standard 1006.3.1, [Golf Car Passages] Clear Width, states, “The clear width of golf car passages shall be 48 inches (1220 mm) minimum.”

A golf car passage may be substituted for an accessible route within the boundary of a golf course because providing an accessible route that complies with ADAAG may be impractical throughout a golf course. Remember, a golf car passage is a continuous passage on which a motorized golf car can operate. While a golf car passage must be usable by golf cars, it does not necessarily need to have a prepared surface and may be part of a golf car path. In other words, a golf car passage does not have to comply with surface conditions such as firm, stable, and slip resistant. The golf car passage could be located on areas such as fairways, greens, and teeing surfaces. A golf car passage can be substituted for all or part of the accessible route connecting elements within the boundary of the course and must be a minimum of 48 inches in width. However, a golf car passage can be substituted for an accessible route if it fully complies with Chapter 4 of the 2010 ADA for accessible routes.

A golf car passage may also be substituted for an accessible route outside the boundary of the golf course when connecting certain elements. This is limited to the golf car rental area, bag drop areas, practice putting greens, accessible practice teeing grounds, course toilet rooms, and course weather shelters. A golf car passage may not be substituted for other accessible routes to be located outside the boundary of the course. For example, an accessible route connecting an accessible vehicle parking space to the entrance of a golf course clubhouse is not covered by this provision.

2010 ADA Standard 1006.3.2, [Golf Car Passages] Barriers, states, “Where curbs or other constructed barriers prevent golf cars from entering a fairway, openings 60 inches (1525 mm) wide minimum shall be provided at intervals not to exceed 75 yards (69 m).” The graphic below is representative of this Standard.

2010 ADA Standard 238.2, Golf Courses, states, “Golf courses shall comply with 238.2.” This Standard covers teeing grounds, putting greens, and weather shelters.

Teeing Grounds

2010 ADA Standard 238.2.1, [Golf Courses] Teeing Grounds, states, “Where one teeing ground is provided for a hole, the teeing ground shall be designed and constructed so that a golf car can enter and exit the teeing ground. Where two teeing grounds are provided for a hole, the forward teeing ground shall be designed and constructed so that a golf car can enter and exit the teeing ground. Where three or more teeing grounds are provided for a hole, at least two teeing grounds, including the forward teeing ground, shall be designed and constructed so that a golf car can enter and exit each teeing ground. EXCEPTION: In existing golf courses, the forward teeing ground shall not be required to be one of the teeing grounds on a hole designed and constructed so that a golf car can enter and exit the teeing ground where compliance is not feasible due to terrain. The graphic on the right is representative of multiple teeing grounds [boxes] on a single golf hole.

Putting Greens

2010 ADA Standard 238.2.2, [Golf Courses] Putting Greens, states, “Putting greens shall be designed and constructed so that a golf car can enter and exit the putting green. The photo below is representative of a golf car on a putting green. Normally golf cars are not allowed on or near a putting green.

Weather Shelters

2010 ADA Standard 238.2.3, [Golf Courses] Weather Shelters, states, “Where provided, weather shelters shall be designed and constructed so that a golf car can enter and exit the weather shelter and shall comply with 1006.4.”

2010 ADA Standard 1006.4, [Golf Courses] Weather Shelters, states, “A clear floor or ground space 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum by 96 inches (2440 mm) minimum shall be provided within weather shelters. The graphic below is representative of a weather shelter at a golf course.”

Practice Areas

2010 ADA Standard 238.3, [Golf Courses] Practice Putting Greens, Practice Teeing Grounds, and Teeing Stations at Driving Ranges, states, “At least 5 percent, but no fewer than one, of practice putting greens, practice teeing grounds, and teeing stations at driving ranges shall be designed and constructed so that a golf car can enter and exit the practice putting greens, practice teeing grounds, and teeing stations at driving ranges.” The graphic below is representative of a practice driving range with an accessible station.

Portable Toilet Rooms

2010 ADA Standard 213.2.3, Toilet Rooms and Bathing Rooms, states, “Where multiple single user portable toilet or bathing units are clustered at a single location, no more than 5 percent of the toilet units and bathing units at each cluster shall be required to comply with 603. Portable toilet units and bathing units complying with 603 shall be identified by the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with 703.7.2.1.4? Generally, toilet rooms in a cluster are within sight of, or adjacent to, one another. The graphic below is representative of an accessible portable toilet room.

Driving Ranges

Both stand-alone driving ranges and driving ranges adjacent to a golf course that provide teeing stations or practice teeing grounds must have an accessible route or a golf car passage must connect accessible teeing stations with accessible parking spaces. The accessible route must be a minimum of 48 inches wide. If handrails are provided, the accessible route must be a minimum of 60 inches wide. This will allow a person who plays golf from a golf car to practice driving a golf ball from the same position and stance used when playing the game.

Temporary Facilities

ADAAG also requires temporary facilities such as bleachers for tournaments, assembly seating areas, portable toilet facilities, concessions, and all other available amenities to provide access. Access to temporary facilities on a golf course may be achieved through either an accessible route or golf car passage. Facilities hosting tournaments or competitions must comply with all the other requirements of the ADA, including the general obligation to provide an equal opportunity to individuals with disabilities to enjoy the services provided. The graphic below is representative of accessible bleachers.

Barrier Removal

Applying to all Title II and III fixed or built-in structures is the requirement for barrier removal, regardless of the date of initial construction or alteration of a facility. For Title III facilities, Implementation Regulation 28 CFR Part 36.304(a) General, states, “A public accommodation shall remove architectural barriers in existing facilities, including communication barriers that are structural in nature, where such removal is readily achievable, i.e., easily accomplishable and able to be carried out without much difficulty or expense.” A similar regulation applies to Title II facilities. There is no grandfather clause or provision in the ADA. These regulations apply to all Title II and Title III facilities with no regard for the dates of initial construction or alteration.

Private Membership Golf Clubs
Private membership golf clubs do not have to comply with ADA regulations, except when/if they open their facilities to the general public. See Private Clubs Under the ADA. A private club's operational practices can result in the club being subject to Title III compliance requirements as a "public accommodation". A club may lose its exemption on a temporary basis; for example, if an organization holds a charitable fundraiser, occasionally opening its facility and selling foods and beverages to the general public, it may only be subject to Title III for the purposes of that specific event. There are many fitness facilities, golf courses, restaurants, stores, and other businesses that are called “clubs,” but that are not the kind of truly private membership clubs that are exempt from the ADA. However, if a private golf club chooses to advertise for and/or admit individuals who are disabled, then the golf course should comply with the ADA.

SUMMARY: Most golf course facilities must comply with the ADA, both within the boundary of the golf course and outside the boundary. The recreation guidelines for golf courses and 2010 ADA Standards provide specifications for elements within a golf course facility to create a general level of usability for individuals with disabilities. New construction or alterations of existing golf course facilities going forward should comply with the 2010 ADA Standards. Designers and operators are encouraged to exceed the 2010 ADA Standards where possible to provide increased accessibility and opportunities. For additional information about ADA compliance of golf courses please see the website for National Alliance for Accessible Golf.
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If you observe a golf facility or element that is not ADA compliant and you would like to know how to proceed, please see the link at What To Do When A Building Is Not ADA Compliant or Accessible.

ADA Inspections Nationwide, LLC, offers ADA/ABA/FHA accessibility compliance inspections for buildings and facilities, as applicable to the different laws, and expert witness services with respect to ADA/ABA/FHA laws for building owners, tenants and managers. Also, ADAIN offers consulting for home modifications as a CAPS consultant for people wishing to age in place in their homes. For a complete list of services please see ADAIN Services, or call Richard at 615-752-0060, or email inspections4ada@gmail.com .

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