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.
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