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Golf Policy & Procedure:

For the Good of the Game

Presented by: Gary Robb

View streaming video for this presentation

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A picture of a double paraplegic man golfing with the aid of a special chair.

Golf Research

  • Number of Golfers with Disabilities
  • Pace of Play
  • Turf Grass Damage
  • Perceptions about Golfers with Disabilities
  • Survey of People with disabilities regarding their interest / experience with golf (1995)
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A picture of a two men in a sand trap on a golf course.

Purpose

  • To determine extent of experience and current interest in playing golf

Methodology

  • Mailed survey to over 1000 individuals with disabilities in NCA research subject pool
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A picture of a man golfing with the aid of a special chair.

Key Findings

  • 10% of people with disabilities play golf
  • 22% not playing now, played prior to disability
  • 35% currently not playing would like to play

    • Perceived barriers to participation

  • Cost (36%)
  • Lack of independence on the course (33%)
  • Uncomfortable playing in front of others (33%)
  • Course staff not knowing how to assist (31%)
  • No one to play with (26%)

    • Major factors influencing participation:

  • Lessons specific to disability (36%)
  • Knew how to swing better (38%)
  • Could afford it (43%)
  • Course staff knew how to assist (31%)
  • Course facilities accessible (29%)
  • Increased sensitivity to disabled (27%)

A chart depicting percentages of golfer with and without disabilities in the USA. 12% of total population of US are current golfers. 29% of total population are potential golfers in the US. 10% of current golfers are disabled. 35% of potential golfers are disabled.
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* - “A Strategic Perspective on the Future of Golf,” The National Golf Foundation and McKinsey & Company, 1999
** - “Survey of Golfers with Disabilities,” Proceedings of the Fifth National Forum on Accessible Golf, National Center on Accessibility, Indiana University and Clemson University, 1996

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A picture of a man golfing with the aid of a special chair.

Status of golfers with disabilities in America (1999)

Purpose

  • To determine experiences of golf course operators, instructors, and golfers with disabilities regarding people with disabilities playing golf
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A picture of a man golfing with the aid of a special chair.

Methodology

  • Mailed survey to 50 golf course operators
  • Personal Interviews with 43 Golf Course operators in Florida, Utah, South Carolina and Missouri
  • Telephone interviews with 17 golfers with mobility impairments and
  • Telephone interviews with 18 directors – owners of organizations providing services for golfers with disabilities

Summary Comparison of 3 Groups

 

GC

GO

GD

GC personnel need more information and education on golfers with disabilities

92%

80%

72%

GC need information about making their course and facilities accessible

96%

23%

11%

GC are concerned about mobility devices on the course

87%

77%

61%

GC are concerned about pace of play

78%

62%

56%

GC want objective research data on impact of mobility devices

71%

38%

44%

GC= golf course owners
GO= organizations serving golfers with disabilities
GD= golfers with disabilities

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