Policies and Procedure for Golfers with Disabilities

Mission:

Green Hill Municipal Golf Course shall codify, train and implement, policies and procedures for the; communication, registration and access to the course of golfers and visitors with disabilities.

Communication:

• When talking with a person with a disability, speak directly to that person rather than through a companion or sign language interpreter. Be patient if someone uses a device in order to communicate. Never pretend to understand someone, simply ask questions if you do not understand and they will correct it if necessary.
• To get the attention of person who is deaf, tap the person on the shoulder or wave your hand. Look directly at the person and speak clearly, slowly, and expressively to determine if the person can read your lips.
• When meeting a person who is visually impaired, always identify yourself and others who may be with you.
• Leaning on or hanging on to a person’s wheelchair is an invasion of personal space and property.
• Place yourself at eye level with anyone who uses a wheelchair or crutches or who has physical limitations.
• If you offer assistance, wait until the offer is accepted. Then listen or ask for instructions. The worst they can do is say “No, thank you”.
• When writing or need proper language, avoid all negative connotations or attitudes. Make reference to the person or persons first and then the disability, i.e., “a person with a disability” rather than “disabled person”.
• Most importantly, relax and just be yourself. Remember that they are people first and disabled second.
• Web site information shall contain specific information to inform players with disabilities of course access policies. Daily changes and updates shall be added to this page as necessary to inform players of any special circumstance that may prohibit accessing specific areas of the course due to weather or maintenance consideration.
• Email notifications shall include links to course disability access policies and updated conditions.
• Tee time confirmations shall include links to course disability access policies and updated conditions.
• Service animals are permitted throughout the facility.

Player Registration:

• Use main cash register to assist customers in registering for play.
• Players with wheel chairs or mobility issues can be brought to the right side of the main register where there is open space provided for them.
• Allow for extra time as needed to accommodate players with disabilities.  Never bypass the players to get to the next customer.
• Course starter/rangers shall be notified by staff or player of any special considerations they may need.

Access to the course:

• Golf course starter/rangers shall assist players in locating the first tee or starting hole in a timely manner to ensure disabled players can meet their tee time.
• Golf Carts must be stored in the front of the building on the black top on the level ground behind the 6^th green.
• Driving rules and regulations:
• Players with mobility issues, who need special considerations, i.e. increased cart access, must notify starter/ranger or have clubhouse staff notify starter/rangers that the player shall be using the course’s specially designated golf cart parking locations.
• These players shall be granted increased access too the golf course grounds to allow for greater ease of reaching the teeing ground and putting greens.
• Specially designated cart parking markers shall be placed on each hole by the grounds maintenance crew in areas that allow for greater access to the putting greens. These markers shall be placed on flat terrain away from damp or slippery conditions. These markers shall be moved from time to time to prevent wear patterns as in accordance with best case maintenance practices.
• Cart path only rules shall be installed when course conditions become to wet to allow carts on fairways and roughs. This condition causes rutting of the course, unsafe travel on slope areas, and slippery footing conditions.
• When course conditions require cart path only usage all handicap driving rules are suspended.
• To replace the use of power chairs on the course GHMGC shall maintain as part of the overall golf cart fleet specially designed golf carts for players with mobility issues.