Guidance on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design

Analysis and Com menta ry on the 201 0 A DAStandards access onto the teeing ground, putting route. Some commenters cautioned that the green, or other accessible element of the 2010 Standards would jeopardize the integrity course so that an accessible golf car can of golf course designs that utilize natural have full access to those elements. These terrain elements and elevation changes to set commenters cautioned that full and equal up shots and create challenging golf holes. access would not be provided if a golfer were required to navigate a steep slope up or The Department has given careful down a hill or a flight of stairs in order to get consideration to the comments and has to the teeing ground, putting green, or other decided to adopt the 2010 Standards accessible element of the course. requiring that at least one accessible route connect accessible elements and spaces Conversely, another commenter requesting within the boundary of the golf course clarification of the term “golf car passage” including teeing grounds, putting greens, argued that golf courses typically do not and weather shelters, with an exception provide golf car paths or pedestrian paths provided that golf car passages shall be up to actual tee grounds or greens, many permitted to be used for all or part of required of which are higher or lower than the car accessible routes. In response to requests path. This commenter argued that if golf for clarification of the term “golf car passage,” car passages were required to extend onto the Department points out that golf car teeing grounds and greens in order to qualify passage is merely a pathway on which a for an exception, then some golf courses motorized golf car can operate and includes would have to substantially regrade teeing identified or paved paths, teeing grounds, grounds and greens at a high cost. fairways, putting greens, and other areas of the course. Golf cars cannot traverse steps Some commenters argued that older golf and exceedingly steep slopes. A nine-hole courses, small nine-hole courses, and golf course or an executive golf course that executive courses that do not have golf car lacks an identified golf car path but provides paths would be unable to comply with the golf car passage to teeing grounds, putting accessible route requirements because of the greens, and other elements throughout the excessive cost involved. A commenter noted course may utilize the exception for all or that, for those older courses that have not yet part of the accessible pedestrian route. The created an accessible pedestrian route or golf exception in section 206.2.15 of the 2010 car passage, the costs and impacts to do so Standards does not exempt golf courses should be considered. from their obligation to provide access to necessary elements of the golf course; A commenter argued that an accessible route rather, the exception allows a golf course to should not be required where natural terrain use a golf car passage for part or all of the makes it infeasible to create an accessible accessible pedestrian route to ensure that Department of Justice Guidance on the 2010 Standards: Titles II and III - 155