This Game is for Everyone!

(Rules for the Game of Golf)

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability just as other civil rights laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. 

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 is a UK law that defined disability as physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. The act provided protection against discrimination in several areas, including employment and occupation, education, and transport.

Most of us have been aware of the ADA law for as long as it has been in place and know how impactful it has been to our society. I have seen firsthand what benefits are provided and what it was like before these discriminations were addressed.

As a younger man and new to the golf business, one of my first jobs as a golf professional in the early 1990’s was in Franklin, Tennessee. The golf venue was public and frequented by local golfers including some of country music’s brightest stars including Tom T. Hall.

I was first introduced to a different world of golf through the eyes of a player who was disabled in enemy action serving as a Navy medic for the Marines in the late 1960’s. He came home as a double amputee, missing both legs below the knees and because of medical complications, could not be fitted with prosthetics. Mike Reeder was not only a veteran but an avid golfer who could outplay many of his able body buddies.

There was rarely a day, pleasant weather or bad, that we didn’t see Mike on the course in his wheelchair. He would strap on his bag of clubs to a cart of one of his playing partners and hold on tight to the back of the cart as they sailed down the fairway to the next shot. Mike’s routine would include hitting all of his woods, fairway irons and chip shots sitting in his chair and then he would get out and walk on his knees onto the putting green and putt from that position. As a 19 handicapper, I wouldn’t bet on him missing too many of those putts.

This is not an article that is solely based on Mike Reeder, although it could be, but the fact that this man was an influence on many disabled individuals in the same community and declared that he hoped someday to “see a traffic jam of wheelchairs at the number one tee all across the country”, is so important to our next Rule of the Month.

Rule 25 – Modifications for Players with Disabilities provide certain Rules of Golf to allow players with specific disabilities to play fairly with players who have no disabilities, the same disability, or a different type of disability.

Disabilities come in several shapes and sizes, so they say. People who are blind, amputees, need mobility assistance and, of course, those with intellectual disabilities need several types of modifications. This Rule addresses many of those needs to maintain the players’ opportunities to still play by the rules of golf but in a modified form.

Each subsection of the Rule deals with certain aspects of disability. There is a section for those who are blind and need an aide to help with taking a stance, aiming at the target, and getting advice about the stroke. That person or anyone the player wishes to authorize could also provide assistance in selecting the proper club and placing, replacing, or dropping the ball in play. Other modifications include adding a caddie to their pool of assistance, touching the sand in a bunker and who may lift the ball in play.

The next subsection addresses Amputees. The Committee may decide if the use of an artificial arm or leg might give the player an unfair advantage over other players and what prohibitions may apply. The Anchoring Rule has been modified as well if the player cannot make a stroke without anchoring the club to themselves at some point. Dropping, placing, and replacing is also addressed when a player needs assistance to do these actions and adds they may use either a hand or a club to complete the process.

Mobility Assistance is defined as someone who needs this type of assistance to help with taking a stance and making a stroke along with certain ways of completing relief procedures. These players may use an aide to assist in lifting and placing a ball on the putting green, dropping, placing, and replacing a ball in play and positioning the player or device for the next stroke. The rule also includes advice, how and where to take a stance, standing across the line of play and several other modifications.

In Rule 25.5, we find the modifications developed for those with intellectual disabilities. These individuals may need the supervision of an expert in the field of a specific disability, but that person cannot give advice on the game of golf. An aide may be assigned for that purpose. Other modifications follow many of the rules set forth for other disabilities, depending on the individual concerned.

Mike Reeder became the first ever wheelchaired golfer to play the legendary The Old Course at St. Andrew Golf Links in 2011 and was recognized for his work with the Challenged Athletes Foundation and the 2012 Old Tom Morris Courage Award. He lost his battle to cancer in 2014 and passed away at his home. His passion will live on with the many opportunities now available for those with disabilities to play golf. He will meet you on the first tee when the time is right!