Golf Inclusion Monthly

May - June 2023

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Your source for news, stories and education related to increasing participation of people with disabilities in the game of golf.

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The National Alliance for Accessible Golf is the industry leader in inclusion— working to ensure the opportunity for all individuals with disabilities to play the game of golf and is represented by major golf, recreation and therapeutic organizations across the country.

May 18th is Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Click HERE to Get Started!

May 18th is Global Accessibility Awareness Day and the National Alliance is proud to prioritize and advocate for inclusion with a website that is accessible to all.


According to @accessiBe’s research, only 25 percent of business owners and company leaders can accurately define “web accessibility.” 


Is your golf course part of that 25 percent? Have you chosen to embrace access and ensure your website, the first entry point for the majority of your customers, sends this message?


"You are invited and welcomed here."

Golf is Truly a Game of Recovery


By Rich O'Brien - Walter Hagen said, “Golf is a game of recovery.” We all-too-often mishit a shot and find ourselves facing a difficult situation in which we must find a way to recover from without making a big number. 


The 26 percent of the population of the United States who have a “disability” know that golf is a game of recovery for an entirely different reason; you see, for us, golf is a great therapeutic modality that has the power to help improve the quality of our lives. Read More

From the Alliance: No Handicap Flags Today!

There's a better way to say this...


Fact: Golf courses absolutely have the right to protect their product from damage and a responsibility to provide as safe an environment as possible for their customers. That said ... on those days when conditions permit "golf cars off of the paths" and closer access to greens and teeing areas, don't fight access, embrace it! Why prevent these golfers with disabilities the same opportunity to enjoy the game as any other golfer?


When conditions are unsafe, such as significant maintenance beyond daily mowing, slippery conditions due to chemical applications, or enough rain that damage could occur if carts are permitted off the path, start thinking in terms of providing information on why access may be limited on any given day or time and communicate in advance whenever possible. For example, "Access Flags" are not permitted today due to significant rains last evening. Thank you for your understanding". Also, encourage your golfers to call in advance to double check course conditions.


Why Access Flags vs Handicap Flags? Over time, words like handicapped, crippled, unfortunate, or special needs have become discouraged as they are comparative in nature and suggest the individual, the "person", is somehow disadvantaged. Individuals with disabilities do not wish to be viewed in that way, nor should they, or have a "word" define who they really are. They are people first, no different than you and I and with abilities to often do things an individual without a disability could not even fathom.


Click HERE for more information about creating a welcoming environment

for all individuals at your course with Access Flags.

Does Your Course Provide an Accessibility Statement?

The National Alliance provides an Accessibility Statement “template” as a sample policy that may be adapted and used to publish your specific facility policies and help foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for individuals with disabilities. We encourage you to visit our RESOURCES and get started today. Communication is Job #1! Should you have any questions regarding the ADA and access to your facility, contact us at info@accessgolf.org and we will be happy to assist!

Starting a Program for Individuals with Disabilities - A Checklist

Things to Consider for Success

Are you thinking about starting a golf program to help individuals with disabilities learn to play golf? Perhaps you are a therapeutic specialist and want to incorporate golf into your treatment plan for your patients. You could also be a family member or a friend of an individual with a disability and a program such as this does not exist in your area and you are looking to facilitate that very effort? Whatever the reasons, it can be a fantastic journey for you, the instructors, the volunteers and most importantly, the golfers. But, there are some things you need to know to maximize your chances of success. Read More and Access the Checklist HERE

Access and Inclusion in the News

Use of materials from Golf Inclusion Monthly: Please note, the Alliance encourages you to repurpose and share articles we have written or that have been provided to us for publishing in Golf Inclusion Monthly. We request that you please reference Golf Inclusion Monthly Published by the National Alliance for Accessible Golf and share the link for the article you have sourced. If you have any questions, please reach out to info@accessgolf.org. Thank you. 

Click HERE for the National Alliance for Accessible Golf MEDIA KIT

Thank you to our golf industry friends and supporters who contribute in so many ways to our mission of increasing participation of individuals with disabilities in the game of golf.


Please contact our Executive Director, davebarton@accessgolf.org, if you and/or your company are interested in helping us further enhance our educational and resource offerings as well as generating grant funds to distribute to programs across the country. 

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