CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY- CARIG CAMPUS

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN

GOLF COURSE

Submitted In Partial Fulfillment Of The Requirements For Design 6

(College Of Engineering And Architecture)
Cagayan State University-Carig Campus
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

JEFFERSON A. ATCHUELA
BS ARCHITECTURE 3-B
RESEARCHER

AR. EDMUND DELA CRUZ

Instructor
WHAT IS A GOLF COURSE?

IN THE OFFICIAL RULE BOOK, A GOLF COURSE IS DEFINED AS "THE ENTIRE AREA
OF PLAY WITHIN THE EDGE OF ANY BOUNDARIES SET BY THE COMMITTEE," AND
THE RULES STATE THAT "THE COURSE IS MADE UP OF THE FIVE DEFINED AREAS OF
THE COURSE." THE DICTIONARY DEFINITION OF "GOLF COURSE" IS "THE GROUND
OR COURSE OVER WHICH GOLF IS PLAYED."

BUT IF YOU'RE A BEGINNER, THOSE DEFINITIONS PROBABLY DON'T HELP MUCH.

SO: GOLF COURSES ARE COLLECTIONS OF GOLF HOLES. A STANDARD ROUND OF

GOLF CONSISTS OF PLAYING 18 HOLES, AND A "FULL-SIZED" GOLF COURSE
CONTAINS 18 HOLES. THE GOLF COURSE INCLUDES ELEMENTS OF THE HOLES SUCH
AS TEEING AREAS, FAIRWAYS, AND PUTTING GREENS, PLUS ROUGH, BUNKERS AND
PENALTY AREAS.

IN THIS ARTICLE, WE'LL INTRODUCE YOU TO THOSE DIFFERENT PARTS THAT MAKE
UP THE WHOLE OF A GOLF COURSE.
START WITH A FEW GOLF COURSE BASICS

AN 18-HOLE GOLF COURSE TYPICALLY OCCUPIES AROUND 100 TO 250 ACRES OF

LAND (OLDER COURSES TEND TO BE MORE COMPACT THAT NEWER COURSES).
COURSES OF NINE HOLES IN LENGTH ARE ALSO COMMON, AND 12-HOLE COURSES
ARE BEING BUILT, TOO.

A FULL-SIZE, OR "REGULATION" GOLF COURSE, RANGES FROM (TYPICALLY) 5,000

TO 7,500 YARDS IN LENGTH, MEANING THAT IS THE DISTANCE YOU COVER AS YOU
PLAY ALL THE HOLES FROM TEE TO GREEN.

THE "PAR" FOR A GOLF COURSE IS THE NUMBER OF STROKES AN EXPERT GOLFER
IS EXPECTED TO NEED TO COMPLETE PLAY, TYPICALLY 69 TO 74, WITH PAR-70,
PAR-71 AND PAR-72 MOST COMMON FOR 18-HOLE COURSES. MOST OF US AREN'T
EXPERT GOLFERS, HOWEVER, SO "REGULAR" GOLFERS MIGHT NEED 90, 100, 110, 120
STROKES OR MORE TO COMPLETE A GOLF COURSE.

THERE ARE ALSO "PAR-3 COURSES" AND "EXECUTIVE COURSES," BOTH OF WHICH
ARE COMPRISED OF SHORTER HOLES THAT TAKE LESS TIME (AND STROKES) TO
PLAY.

THE HOLES ON A GOLF COURSE ARE NUMBERED 1 THROUGH 18, AND THAT IS THE
ORDER IN WHICH THEY ARE PLAYED.
THE GOLF HOLE

THE TERM "HOLE" HAS TWO MEANINGS IN GOLF. ONE IS THE, WELL, HOLE IN THE
GROUND ON EACH PUTTING GREEN — THE "CUP" INTO WHICH WE ARE ALL TRYING
TO PLACE OUR GOLF BALLS.

BUT "HOLE" ALSO REFERS TO THE ENTIRETY OF EACH TEE-TO-GREEN UNIT OF A

GOLF COURSE. AS NOTED ON THE PREVIOUS PAGE, A FULL-SIZE GOLF COURSE
CONTAINS 18 HOLES — 18 TEEING GROUNDS THAT LEAD, VIA EACH HOLE'S
FAIRWAY, TO 18 PUTTING GREENS.

A GOLF HOLE GENERALLY COMES IN THREE VARIETIES:

 PAR-3: UP TO 250 YARDS FOR MEN AND 210 YARDS FOR WOMEN
 PAR-4: 251 TO 470 YARDS FOR MEN AND 211 TO 400 YARDS FOR WOMEN
 PAR-5: 471 YARDS TO 690 YARDS FOR MEN AND 401 TO 575 YARDS FOR
WOMEN

PAR-6 HOLES ARE SOMETIMES ENCOUNTERED, TOO, BUT THEY ARE SCARCE.

THE PAR FOR EACH HOLE IS THE NUMBER OF STROKES IT IS EXPECTED AN EXPERT
GOLFER WILL NEED TO COMPLETE PLAY OF THAT HOLE, WHICH ALWAYS
INCLUDES TWO PUTTS. SO A PAR-3 HOLE IS ONE SHORT ENOUGH THAT THE EXPERT
GOLFER IS EXPECTED TO HIT THE GREEN WITH HIS OR HER TEE SHOT AND TAKE
TWO PUTTS. (THE YARDAGES LISTED ABOVE ARE GUIDELINES, NOT RULES.)
A GOLF HOLE ALWAYS BEGINS AT THE TEEING AREA (WHICH IS ALSO CALLED A
TEE BOX OR TEEING GROUND), AND ALWAYS ENDS AT THE PUTTING GREEN. IN-
BETWEEN IS THE FAIRWAY, AND OUTSIDE THESE AREAS IS THE
ROUGH. HAZARDS — BUNKERS AND BODIES OF WATER CALLED PENALTY AREAS
— MIGHT SHOW UP ON ANY HOLE, TOO.

THE TEEING AREA

EVERY HOLE ON A GOLF COURSE HAS A STARTING POINT. THE TEEING AREA IS

THAT STARTING POINT. THE TEEING AREA, AS THE NAME IMPLIES, IS THE ONE
PLACE ON A GOLF COURSE WHERE YOU ARE ALLOWED TO "TEE UP" YOUR BALL —
TO PLACE THE GOLF BALL ON TOP OF A TEE, LIFTING IT OFF THE GROUND. ALMOST
ALL GOLFERS, AND PARTICULARLY BEGINNERS, FIND THIS ADVANTAGEOUS.

THE TEEING AREA IS DENOTED BY A SET OF TWO TEE MARKERS. TYPICALLY,

THERE ARE MULTIPLE TEE MARKERS, EACH SET A DIFFERENT COLOR, ON EACH
HOLE. THE COLOR CORRESPONDS TO A LINE ON THE SCORECARD AND SIGNIFIES
THE LENGTH, OR YARDAGE, THAT YOU ARE PLAYING. IF YOU ARE PLAYING THE
BLUE TEES, FOR EXAMPLE, THERE IS A LINE MARKED "BLUE" ON THE SCORECARD.
YOU WILL PLAY FROM THE BLUE TEES THAT APPEAR ON EACH HOLE'S TEEING
AREA, AND MARK YOUR SCORES ON THE "BLUE" LINE OF THE SCORECARD.

THE TEEING AREA IS THE SPACE BETWEEN THE TWO TEE MARKERS, AND
EXTENDING TWO CLUB-LENGTHS BACK FROM THE TEE MARKERS. YOU MUST TEE
THE BALL WITHIN THAT RECTANGLE, NEVER IN FRONT OF OUR OUTSIDE OF THE
TEE MARKERS.

TEEING AREAS ARE ALSO CALLED TEE BOXES., AND IN THE RULES OF GOLF PRIOR
TO 2020 THEY WERE CALLED "TEEING ROUNDS."
A TYPICAL GOLF COURSE HAS THREE OR MORE TEEING AREAS PER HOLE, BUT
SOME HAVE AS MANY AS SIX OR SEVEN ON EACH HOLE. ONCE YOU'VE CHOSEN
THE TEEING AREA FROM WHICH YOU ARE PLAYING, YOU STICK WITH THOSE TEES
THROUGHOUT THE ROUND.

THE FAIRWAY

THINK OF THE FAIRWAY AS THE PATH FROM THE STARTING POINT OF THE HOLE (THE
TEEING AREA) TO THE END POINT OF THE HOLE (THE HOLE ON THE PUTTING GREEN). IT'S
THE ROUTE YOU WANT TO FOLLOW WHEN PLAYING EACH HOLE ON A GOLF COURSE, AND
IT'S THE TARGET YOU WANT YOUR BALL TO HIT AS YOU PLAY YOUR FIRST STROKE ON
EACH PAR-4 OR PAR-5 HOLE (ON PAR-3 HOLES, WHICH ARE SHORT, YOUR GOAL IS TO HIT
THE GREEN WITH YOUR FIRST STROKE).

FAIRWAYS ARE THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN TEEING AREAS AND PUTTING GREENS. THE
GRASS IN THE FAIRWAY IS MOWED VERY SHORT (BUT NOT AS SHORT AS ON THE PUTTING
GREEN), AND FAIRWAYS ARE OFTEN SET OFF AND EASY TO SEE BECAUSE OF THE
CONTRAST BETWEEN THE HEIGHT OF GRASS IN THE FAIRWAY AND THE TALLER GRASS —
CALLED THE ROUGH — ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FAIRWAY.

THE FAIRWAY DOESN'T PROMISE A PERFECT SITUATION FOR YOUR GOLF BALL, BUT
KEEPING YOUR BALL IN THE FAIRWAY AS YOU PLAY TOWARD THE GREEN DOES VASTLY
IMPROVE YOUR ODDS OF FINDING THE BEST PLAYING CONDITIONS.

AS YOU STAND ON THE TEEING AREA OF A PAR-4 OR PAR-5 HOLE, YOUR GOAL IS TO HIT
YOUR BALL ONTO THE FAIRWAY, ADVANCING THE BALL TOWARD THE GREEN, AVOIDING
THE DANGER OF THE ROUGH, AND GIVING YOURSELF THE BEST CHANCE OF SUCCESS ON
YOUR NEXT STROKE.
THE PUTTING GREEN

SO FAR WE'VE SEEN THE TEEING AREA AND THE FAIRWAY, THE STARTING POINT
AND MID-POINT, RESPECTIVELY, OF EACH GOLF HOLE. THE PUTTING GREEN IS THE
TERMINUS OF EACH HOLE. EVERY HOLE ON THE GOLF COURSE ENDS AT THE
PUTTING GREEN, AND THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS TO GET YOUR GOLF BALL INTO
THE HOLE THAT IS ON THE PUTTING GREEN.

THERE ARE NO STANDARD SIZES OR SHAPES FOR GREENS; THEY VARY WIDELY IN
BOTH REGARDS. MOST COMMON, HOWEVER, IS A SHAPE THAT IS ROUNDED OR
OBLONG. AS FOR GREEN SIZE, THE GREENS AT PEBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS, ONE OF
THE GAME'S MOST FAMOUS COURSES, ARE CONSIDERED SMALL AT AROUND 3,500
SQUARE FEET EACH. GREENS OF AROUND 5,000 TO 6,000 SQUARE FEET ARE FAIRLY
AVERAGE.

GREENS HAVE THE SHORTEST GRASS ON A GOLF COURSE BECAUSE THEY ARE

DESIGNED FOR PUTTING. YOU NEED SHORT, SMOOTH GRASS FOR PUTTING; IN
FACT, THE OFFICIAL DEFINITION OF "PUTTING GREEN" IN THE RULES OF GOLF IS
THAT AREA OF A GOLF HOLE "THAT IS SPECIALLY PREPARED FOR PUTTING."

PUTTING GREENS SOMETIMES ARE LEVEL WITH THE FAIRWAY, BUT OFTEN ARE
RAISED SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE FAIRWAY. THEIR SURFACE CAN INCLUDE
CONTOURS AND UNDULATIONS (WHICH CAUSE PUTTS TO "BREAK," OR VEER OFF A
STRAIGHT LINE), AND CAN PITCH SLIGHTLY FROM ONE SIDE TO ANOTHER. JUST
BECAUSE THE GREEN IS SPECIALLY PREPARED FOR PUTTING DOESN'T MEAN YOU
GET A PERFECTLY FLAT, EASY PUTT.

YOU ARE ALLOWED TO PICK UP YOUR GOLF BALL ONCE IT IS ON THE SURFACE OF
THE GREEN, BUT YOU MUST PLACE A BALL MARKER BEHIND THE BALL BEFORE
LIFTING IT. THE PLAY OF A HOLE IS OVER AS SOON AS YOUR BALL DROPS INTO THE
CUP WHERE THE FLAGSTICK IS LOCATED.

THE ROUGH

"ROUGH" REFERS TO THOSE AREAS OUTSIDE THE FAIRWAYS AND GREENS WHERE
THE GRASS IS GENERALLY TALLER OR THICKER OR LEFT UNMANICURED — OR ALL
THREE. THE ROUGH IS A PLACE YOU DON'T WANT TO BE BECAUSE IT IS INTENDED
TO MAKE IT TOUGHER FOR YOU TO HIT A GOOD SHOT WHEN YOUR BALL IS IN IT.
AFTER ALL, YOU ARE TRYING TO HIT THE FAIRWAY AND THEN HIT THE GREEN. IF
YOU WIND UP IN THE ROUGH, YOU GET PUNISHED FOR THAT MISTAKE BY FINDING
YOUR BALL IN A DISADVANTAGEOUS SPOT.

THE GRASS THAT MAKES UP THE ROUGH CAN BE ANY HEIGHT, OR IN ANY
CONDITION (GOOD OR BAD). SOMETIMES ROUGH OUTSIDE OF FAIRWAYS IS
MOWED AND MAINTAINED BY GREENSKEEPERS; SOMETIMES THE AREAS OF
ROUGH ON A GOLF COURSE ARE LEFT NATURAL AND UNKEMPT.

AREAS OF ROUGH AROUND PUTTING GREENS ARE USUALLY MAINTAINED BY

GREENSKEEPERS, CUT AT CERTAIN HEIGHTS, BUT CAN BE VERY THICK AND
HIGHLY PENAL.
MANY GOLF COURSES HAVE ROUGHS OF DIFFERENT SEVERITY DEPENDING ON
HOW FAR OFF-TARGET YOUR SHOT IS. IF YOU MISS THE FAIRWAY OR THE GREEN
BY JUST A COUPLE FEET, FOR EXAMPLE, THE GRASS MIGHT ONLY BE SLIGHTLY
HIGHER THAN THE FAIRWAY OR PUTTING GREEN GRASS. MISS BY 25 FEET,
THOUGH, AND THE GRASS COULD BE HIGHER STILL.

BUNKERS

BUNKERS ARE AREAS ON A GOLF COURSE THAT HAVE BEEN HOLLOWED OUT —

SOMETIMES NATURALLY BUT USUALLY BY DESIGN — AND FILLED IN WITH SAND
OR A SIMILAR MATERIAL COMPRISED OF VERY FINE PARTICLES.

BUNKERS CAN BE LOCATED ANYWHERE ON THE GOLF COURSE, WHETHER NEXT

TO OR IN FAIRWAYS OR ADJACENT TO PUTTING GREENS. THEY COME IN MANY
DIFFERENT SIZES, FROM UNDER 100 SQUARE FEET TO SOME THAT ARE HUGE AND
MIGHT STRETCH ALL THE WAY FROM THE TEEING AREA TO THE PUTTING GREEN.
BUT MORE TYPICAL ARE BUNKERS FROM 250 TO 1,000 SQUARE FEET.
THE SHAPE OF BUNKERS ALSO VARIES WIDELY, WITH NO GUIDELINES SET FORTH
IN THE RULES AND LIMITED ONLY BY THE DESIGNER'S IMAGINATION. PERFECT
CIRCLES, OBLONGS, KIDNEY-SHAPED, AND MUCH MORE ADVENTUROUS DESIGNS
ARE COMMON.

THE DEPTH OF BUNKERS ALSO VARIES WIDELY, FROM ALMOST LEVEL WITH THE
FAIRWAY OR GREEN TO 10 OR 15 FEET BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE
SURROUNDING AREA. DEEPER BUNKERS ARE MORE DIFFICULT TO PLAY FROM
THAN SHALLOWER BUNKERS.

BUNKERS, GENERALLY SPEAKING, ARE MORE DIFFICULT TO PLAY OUT OF, AND
THAT IS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR BEGINNERS AND HIGHER-HANDICAP GOLFERS. SO
TRYING TO AVOID THEM IS IMPORTANT.

BODIES OF WATER ON THE GOLF COURSE

BASICALLY, ANY WATER ON THE GOLF COURSE THAT IS SOMETHING GREATER

THAN A RAIN PUDDLE OR OTHER TEMPORARY SOURCE (LEAKY PIPES, WATERING
SYSTEMS, ETC.) IS A "PENALTY AREA": PONDS, LAKES, STREAMS, CREEKS, RIVERS,
DITCHES.
("PENALTY AREA" IS A RELATIVELY NEW TERM IN GOLF, INTRODUCED IN AN
UPDATE TO THE OFFICIAL RULES IN 2020. PRIOR TO THAT, BODIES OF WATER ON
THE GOLF COURSE WERE KNOWN AS "WATER HAZARDS.")

OBVIOUSLY, PENALTY AREAS ARE THINGS YOU WANT TO AVOID ON THE GOLF
COURSE. HITTING INTO ONE USUALLY MEANS A LOST BALL, AND ALWAYS MEANS
A PENALTY STROKE OR STROKES (UNLESS YOU TRY TO HIT YOUR BALL OUT OF
THE WATER, WHICH IS NOT A GOOD IDEA). SOMETIMES GOLF COURSE DESIGNERS
PUT A POND OR CREEK IN A POSITION WHERE THE ONLY OPTION IS TO HIT OVER IT.
AND SOMETIMES THAT WATER WILL RUN ALONGSIDE THE FAIRWAY OR TO THE
SIDE OF A GREEN, WHERE IT STILL MIGHT POSE A THREAT TO A WAYWARD SHOT.

AS WITH PUTTING GREENS AND BUNKERS, THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF WATER
HAZARDS VARY GREATLY. SOME ARE NATURAL ELEMENTS, SUCH AS STREAMS.
MANY GOLF COURSE PONDS AND LAKES ARE MANMADE, HOWEVER, AND SO ARE
SHAPED AS THE GOLF COURSE DESIGNER WANTS THEM. THESE MANMADE BODIES
OF WATER ARE OFTEN MORE THAN JUST COSMETIC, TOO, WITH MANY OF THEM
SERVING AS CATCHMENTS FOR RAINWATER, HOLDING WATER FOR LATER
IRRIGATION USE AROUND THE GOLF COURSE.

AND THOSE — GOLF HOLES, TEEING AREAS, FAIRWAYS, PUTTING GREENS, ROUGH,
BUNKERS AND PENALTY AREAS (WATER) — ARE THE MAJOR ELEMENTS THAT
MAKE UP A GOLF COURSE.
OTHER GOLF COURSE ELEMENTS

HERE ARE A FEW MORE THINGS GOLFERS ENCOUNTER AS WE PLAY OUR WAY
AROUND A GOLF COURSE:
  DRIVING RANGE/PRACTICE AREAS: MANY, BUT NOT ALL, GOLF COURSES
HAVE BOTH A DRIVING RANGE AND A PRACTICE PUTTING GREEN. SOME
ALSO HAVE A PRACTICE BUNKERS. GOLFERS CAN USE THESE AREAS TO
WARM UP AND PRACTICE BEFORE TEEING OFF ON THE GOLF COURSE.
 CART PATHS: PREPARED, OFTEN PAVED, PATHWAYS FOR THE USE OF
MOTORIZED GOLF CARTS.
 OUT OF BOUNDS: "OUT OF BOUNDS" AREAS ARE OFTEN OUTSIDE THE GOLF
COURSE ITSELF; FOR EXAMPLE, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF A FENCE MARKING
THE BOUNDARY OF THE COURSE. BUT "OUT OF BOUNDS" AREAS ARE
SOMETIMES FOUND WITHIN GOLF COURSES; THEY ARE AREAS FROM WHICH
YOU SHOULD NOT PLAY. HITTING THE BALL OUT OF BOUNDS IS A 1-STROKE
PENALTY AND THE SHOT MUST BE REPLAYED FROM THE ORIGINAL
LOCATION. OUT-OF-BOUNDS AREAS ARE USUALLY MARKED BY WHITE
STAKES OR A WHITE LINE ON THE GROUND. ALSO, CHECK THE SCORECARD
FOR INFO.
 GROUND UNDER REPAIR: A PART OF THE GOLF COURSE THAT IS
TEMPORARILY UNPLAYABLE DUE TO REPAIRS OR MAINTENANCE ISSUES.
TYPICALLY, WHITE LINES ARE PAINTED ON THE GROUND AROUND A "GUR"
TO DESIGNATE IT, AND YOU ARE ALLOWED TO REMOVE YOUR BALL FROM
THE AREA.
 STARTER'S SHACK: ALSO KNOWN AS A "STARTER'S HUT." IF A COURSE HAS
ONE, IT'S SOMEWHERE NEAR THE FIRST TEEING GROUND. AND IF A COURSE
HAS ONE, YOU SHOULD VISIT IT BEFORE TEEING OFF. THE "STARTER" WHO
OCCUPIES THE STARTER'S SHACK CALLS GROUPS TO THE FIRST TEE WHEN IT
IS THEIR TURN TO BEGIN PLAY.
 RESTROOMS: YES, MANY GOLF COURSES PROVIDE RESTROOMS FOR GOLFERS
OUT ON THE COURSE. BUT NOT ALL! -

TABLE IIV.1. SCHEDULE OF PRINCIPAL, ACCESSORY AND CONDITIONAL USE/OCCUPANCY OF

BUILDING/STRUCTURE

General
Classicfication of PRINCIPAL ACCESSORY CONDIONAL ZONDING
Use/Character of CLASSIFICATION
Occupancy of
Building/Structure
Division I-1 1. Colisea and 1. Parks/gardens CUL (Cultural) - a community
sports 2. Resort areas, e.g., to national level of cultural use
(Recreational complexes beaches, including or Occupancy,
Assembly Buildings accessory uses characterized mainly as a low-
with stage and an 2. Theaters 3. Open air or rise or medium- rise
Occupant load of and outdoor sports building/structure for cultural
1,000 or more in the convention activities and activities
b ilding) centers support facilities,
including low rise PRE (Park Structures.
3. Concert stadia, gyms, Recreation and Entertainment) a
halls and open amphitheaters and range of recreational uses or
houses swimming pools Occupancies. characterized
4.Convention 4. Golf courses, ball mainly as a low-rise or medium-
centers courts, race tracks rise building/ structure for low
 and similar uses to medium intensity recreational
5.Memorial/ or entertainment functions
Shrines/monuments, related to educational uses, e.g..
kiosks and other structures on campuses or its
park structures 6. component parks/open spaces
Sports Club and all other kinds of
7. Underground recreational. or assembly
parking structures/ buildings/structures on campus
facilities such as auditoria, mess halls.
seminar facilities, gymnasia.
stadia, arenas and the like.

TABLE VII.4. MINIMUM REQUIRED OFF-STREET ( OFF-RROW ) CUM ON SITE PARKING SLOT,
PARKING AREA AND LOADING/UNLOADING SPACE REQUIREMENTS BY ALLOWED USE
OCCUPANCY

Specific uses of of occupancy Reference Uses or Character of
( refer to section 1.3 of this Occupancies or Type of
rule) Building/Structure
GROUP I
9.1 DIVISION I-1 Recreational or similar public
assembly buildings such as stadia,
sports complexes, convention
center etc.
Minimum Required Parking Slot, Parking
area and Loading Space Requirements
One (1) car slot and one (1) jeepney/shuttle
slot for every 50.00 sq.meters of spectator
area; and one(1) bus parking s slot for every
two hundred (200) spectator

Guide to the ADA Accessibility Standards

“WHENEVER ANY BARRIER STANDS BETWEEN YOU AND THE FULL RIGHTS AND DIGNITY
OF CITIZENSHIP, WE MUST WORK TO REMOVE IT, IN THE NAME OF SIMPLE DECENCY
AND JUSTICE. THE PROMISE OF THE ADA…HAS ENABLED PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
TO ENJOY MUCH GREATER ACCESS TO A WIDE RANGE OF AFFORDABLE TRAVEL,
RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND LIFE-ENRICHING SERVICES.”

PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH, NEW FREEDOM INITIATIVE, FEBRUARY 1, 2001

ACCESSIBLE GOLF COURSES

THE RECREATION FACILITY GUIDELINES DESCRIBED IN THIS GUIDE FOCUS ON

NEWLY DESIGNED OR NEWLY CONSTRUCTED AND ALTERED GOLF COURSES AND
DRIVING RANGES. OTHER PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN ADAAG ADDRESS ELEMENTS
COMMONLY FOUND AT A GOLF COURSE, SUCH AS ACCESSIBLE VEHICLE PARKING
SPACES, EXTERIOR ACCESSIBLE ROUTES, AND TOILET AND BATHING FACILITIES.
ADAAG ADDRESSES ONLY THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT (STRUCTURES AND
GROUNDS). THE GUIDELINES DO NOT ADDRESS OPERATIONAL ISSUES. QUESTIONS
REGARDING OPERATIONAL ISSUES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE, 1-800-514-0301 OR 1-800-514-0383 (TTY).

NOTATIONAL TIPS FOR USERS OF SCREEN READING SOFTWARE FOLLOW.  IN THIS

DOCUMENT ″ INDICATES INCHES AND ′ INDICATES FEET.  SOME IMAGES ARE
PAIRED WITH VISUALLY HIDDEN NOTES.&NBSP THESE ANNOTATIONS ARE
PREFACED WITH BEGIN AND END IMAGE NOTES.
ACCESSIBLE ROUTES

ACCESSIBLE ROUTES ARE CONTINUOUS, UNOBSTRUCTED PATHS CONNECTING ALL

ACCESSIBLE ELEMENTS AND SPACES OF A BUILDING OR FACILITY ON GOLF
COURSES. THE ACCESSIBLE ROUTE MUST COMPLY WITH ADAAG PROVISIONS FOR
LOCATION, WIDTH (MINIMUM OF 36 INCHES), PASSING SPACE, HEAD ROOM,
SURFACE, SLOPE (MAXIMUM OF 1:12 OR 8.33%), CHANGES IN LEVEL, DOORS,
EGRESS, AND AREAS OF RESCUE ASSISTANCE, UNLESS MODIFIED BY SPECIFIC
PROVISIONS OUTLINED IN THIS GUIDE.

ALTERNATIVE GOLF CAR PASSAGE

PROVIDING AN ACCESSIBLE ROUTE THAT COMPLIES WITH ADAAG MAY BE

IMPRACTICAL THROUGHOUT A GOLF COURSE FOR SEVERAL REASONS. FIRST, THE
ROUTE OF PLAY FOR A GOLFER IS DEPENDENT ON WHERE THE BALL LANDS AND IS
THEREFORE UNPREDICTABLE. THE GUIDELINES ASSUME THAT ON MANY COURSES,
GOLFERS USE A GOLF CAR TO MOVE THROUGHOUT THE COURSE.
SECOND, REQUIRING AN ACCESSIBLE ROUTE THROUGHOUT A COURSE COULD
ALTER THE SLOPES WITHIN SOME COURSES AND ALTER THE NATURE OF THE
SPORT BY ELIMINATING SOME OF THE CHALLENGE OF THE GAME. THEREFORE, A
GOLF CAR PASSAGE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR AN ACCESSIBLE ROUTE WITHIN
THE BOUNDARY OF A GOLF COURSE. A GOLF CAR PASSAGE IS A CONTINUOUS
PASSAGE ON WHICH A MOTORIZED GOLF CAR CAN OPERATE. WHILE A GOLF CAR
PASSAGE MUST BE USABLE BY GOLF CARS, IT DOES NOT NECESSARILY NEED TO
HAVE A PREPARED SURFACE AND MAY BE PART OF A GOLF CAR PATH.

THE GOLF CAR PASSAGE COULD BE LOCATED ON AREAS SUCH AS FAIRWAYS,

GREENS, AND TEEING SURFACES. A GOLF CAR PASSAGE CAN BE SUBSTITUTED FOR
ALL OR PART OF THE ACCESSIBLE ROUTE CONNECTING ELEMENTS WITHIN THE
BOUNDARY OF THE COURSE AND MUST BE A MINIMUM OF 48 INCHES IN WIDTH.

A GOLF CAR PASSAGE MAY ALSO BE SUBSTITUTED FOR AN ACCESSIBLE ROUTE

OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARY OF THE GOLF COURSE WHEN CONNECTING CERTAIN
ELEMENTS. THIS IS LIMITED TO THE GOLF CAR RENTAL AREA, BAG DROP AREAS,
PRACTICE PUTTING GREENS, ACCESSIBLE PRACTICE TEEING GROUNDS, COURSE
TOILET ROOMS, AND COURSE WEATHER SHELTERS.

ACCESSIBLE ROUTE GUIDELINES

WHERE AN ACCESSIBLE ROUTE IS USED, THE GOLF COURSE GUIDELINES MODIFY

ADAAG’S ACCESSIBLE ROUTE PROVISIONS. THEY INCREASE THE MINIMUM WIDTH
FOR AN ACCESSIBLE ROUTE FROM 36 INCHES TO 48 INCHES. IF AN ACCESSIBLE
ROUTE IS PROVIDED INSTEAD OF A GOLF CAR PASSAGE, IT MUST CONNECT
ACCESSIBLE ELEMENTS AND SPACES LOCATED WITHIN THE BOUNDARY OF A GOLF
COURSE. THE 48 INCH MINIMUM WIDTH FOR THE ACCESSIBLE ROUTE IS
NECESSARY TO ENSURE PASSAGE OF A GOLF CAR ON THE ACCESSIBLE ROUTE.
THIS IS IMPORTANT WHERE THE ACCESSIBLE ROUTE IS USED TO CONNECT THE
GOLF CAR RENTAL AREA, BAG DROP AREAS, PRACTICE PUTTING GREENS,
ACCESSIBLE PRACTICE TEEING GROUNDS, COURSE TOILET ROOMS, AND COURSE
WEATHER SHELTERS. THESE ARE AREAS OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARY OF THE GOLF
COURSE, BUT ARE AREAS WHERE AN INDIVIDUAL USING AN ADAPTED GOLF CAR
MAY TRAVEL. WHERE HANDRAILS ARE PROVIDED ALONG AN ACCESSIBLE ROUTE,
THE GUIDELINES INCREASE THE MINIMUM WIDTH OF THE ROUTE TO 60 INCHES TO
ACCOMMODATE THE PASSAGE OF A GOLF CAR.

COURSE BARRIERS

CURBING OR OTHER MAN-MADE BARRIERS OFTEN LINE GOLF CAR PATHS TO

RESTRICT GOLF CARS FROM ENTERING CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THE COURSE OR TO
REDUCE EROSION. WHERE MAN-MADE BARRIERS ARE PROVIDED THAT PREVENT
GOLF CARS FROM ENTERING A FAIRWAY, OPENINGS AT LEAST 60 INCHES WIDE AT
INTERVALS NOT EXCEEDING 75 YARDS MUST BE PROVIDED. THESE DISPERSED
OPENINGS WILL PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE COURSE AT REASONABLE INTERVALS,
ENABLING A GOLFER USING A GOLF CAR TO PLAY THE GAME WITHOUT EXTENDED
TRAVEL DISTANCES AND TIME REQUIREMENTS.

TEEING GROUNDS

THE "TEEING GROUND" IS THE STARTING PLACE FOR A

HOLE OF GOLF. A RECTANGULAR AREA USUALLY TWO CLUB-LENGTHS IN DEPTH,
THE TEEING GROUND’S BORDERS ARE DEFINED BY THE OUTSIDE LIMITS OF TWO
“TEE-MARKERS.” THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF NEW TEEING GROUNDS OR
THE ALTERATION OF AN EXISTING TEEING AREA MUST ALLOW GOLF CARS TO
ENTER AND EXIT WITHIN THESE LIMITS.
  FORWARD TEEING GROUND—THE FORWARD TEEING GROUND FOR EACH
HOLE MUST BE CONNECTED BY EITHER AN ACCESSIBLE ROUTE OR A GOLF
CAR PASSAGE. EXISTING COURSES DO NOT HAVE TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO
THE FORWARD TEEING GROUND IN ALTERATIONS, IF TERRAIN MAKES
COMPLIANCE INFEASIBLE.\
 MULTIPLE TEEING GROUNDS—IF ONE OR TWO TEEING GROUNDS ARE
PROVIDED FOR A HOLE, ONLY THE FORWARD TEEING GROUND MUST BE
ACCESSIBLE EITHER BY AN ACCESSIBLE ROUTE OR A GOLF CAR PASSAGE. IF
THREE OR MORE TEEING GROUNDS ARE PROVIDED FOR A HOLE, TWO TEEING
GROUNDS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE. THIS WILL ALLOW PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES TO PLAY FROM DIFFERENT TEES APPROPRIATE TO THEIR SKILL
LEVEL, WHILE PROVIDING FLEXIBILITY TO COURSE OPERATORS AND
DESIGNERS.

PUTTING GREENS

EACH PUTTING GREEN MUST BE DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED SO THAT A GOLF

CAR CAN ENTER AND EXIT THE GREEN. THE GREEN MUST BE CONNECTED BY A
GOLF CAR PASSAGE SO THAT A GOLF CAR CAN REACH THE GREEN.

WEATHER SHELTERS

COURSE WEATHER SHELTERS MUST BE DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED TO ALLOW

A GOLF CAR TO ENTER AND EXIT, AND HAVE A CLEAR FLOOR OR GROUND SPACE
OF 60 INCHES BY 96 INCHES MINIMUM. THIS SPACE WILL ALLOW A GOLF CAR TO BE

DRIVEN DIRECTLY INTO A WEATHER SHELTER.

DRIVING RANGES

BOTH STAND-ALONE DRIVING RANGES AND DRIVING RANGES ADJACENT TO A

GOLF COURSE THAT PROVIDE TEEING STATIONS OR PRACTICE TEEING GROUNDS
MUST COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING:

 ACCESSIBLE ROUTES—AN ACCESSIBLE ROUTE OR A GOLF CAR PASSAGE

MUST CONNECT ACCESSIBLE TEEING STATIONS WITH ACCESSIBLE PARKING
SPACES. THE ACCESSIBLE ROUTE MUST BE A MINIMUM OF 48 INCHES WIDE. IF
HANDRAILS ARE PROVIDED, THE ACCESSIBLE ROUTE MUST BE A MINIMUM
OF 60 INCHES WIDE. THIS WILL ALLOW A PERSON WHO PLAYS GOLF FROM A
GOLF CAR TO PRACTICE DRIVING A GOLF BALL FROM THE SAME POSITION
AND STANCE USED WHEN PLAYING THE GAME.
 TEEING STATIONS—IF TEEING STATIONS OR PRACTICE TEEING GROUNDS ARE
PROVIDED, AT LEAST FIVE PERCENT, BUT NOT LESS THAN ONE, OF THE
PRACTICE TEEING GROUNDS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE AND PROVIDE SPACE FOR
A GOLF CAR TO ENTER AND EXIT.

SINGLE RIDER ADAPTIVE GOLF CARS

 IN RECENT YEARS, SINGLE RIDER ADAPTIVE GOLF CARS
HAVE BEEN USED TO INCREASE ACCESS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ON GOLF
COURSES. QUESTIONS HAVE ARISEN CONCERNING THEIR USE. THE ACCESS BOARD
DEVELOPS AND MAINTAINS ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR THE BUILT
ENVIRONMENT. IT IS OUTSIDE THE JURISDICTION OF THE ACCESS BOARD TO
ADDRESS OPERATIONAL ISSUES SUCH AS THE USE OF THESE CARS. OPERATORS
SHOULD CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AT 1-800-514-0301 OR 1-800-514-
0383 (TTY) REGARDING ISSUES RELATING TO THE USE AND OPERATION OF
ADAPTIVE GOLF CARS.

TEMPORARY FACILITIES

ADAAG ALSO REQUIRES TEMPORARY FACILITIES

SUCH AS BLEACHERS FOR TOURNAMENTS, ASSEMBLY SEATING AREAS, PORTABLE
TOILET FACILITIES, CONCESSIONS, AND ALL OTHER AVAILABLE AMENITIES TO
PROVIDE ACCESS. ACCESS TO TEMPORARY FACILITIES ON A GOLF COURSE MAY BE
ACHIEVED THROUGH EITHER AN ACCESSIBLE ROUTE OR GOLF CAR PASSAGE.
FACILITIES HOSTING TOURNAMENTS OR COMPETITIONS MUST COMPLY WITH ALL
THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF THE ADA, INCLUDING THE GENERAL OBLIGATION
TO PROVIDE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO
ENJOY THE SERVICES PROVIDED.

PROVISION INDEX

THIS TABLE HIGHLIGHTS THE SECTIONS OF THE ADA AND ABA ACCESSIBILITY
STANDARDS DISCUSSED IN THE AMUSEMENT RIDES GUIDE.

   ADA ABA
 STANDARDS* STANDARDS 
DEFINITIONS  106.5 F106.5 
CROSS SLOPE  106.5 F106.5
CURB RAMP 106.5 F106.5
FACILITY 106.5 F106.5
GOLF CAR PASSAGE 106.5 F106.5
RAMP 106.5 F106.5
RUNNING SLOPE 106.5 F106.5
TEEING GROUND 106.5 F106.5
     
GOLF FACILITIES (WHERE PROVIDED) 238 F238
GOLF COURSES  238.2 F238.2 
PUTTING GREENS 238.2.2 F238.2.2
TEEING GROUNDS 238.2.1 F238.2.1
WEATHER SHELTERS 238.2.3 F238.2.3
     
PRACTICE PUTTING GREENS, TEEING GROUNDS,
238.3 F238.3
AND STATIONS AT DRIVING RANGES
     
ACCESSIBLE ROUTES (WHERE REQUIRED) 206 F206
GOLF COURSE (SPECIFIC PROVISION) 206.2.15 F206.2.15
GOLF CAR PASSAGE (EXCEPTION) 206.2.15 EX F206.2.15 EX
     
ACCESSIBLE ROUTES COMPONENTS (TYPICALLY
   
USED)
CURB RAMPS 406 406
DOORS AND GATES 404 404
HANDRAILS (EXCEPTION) 1006.2 EX 1006.2 EX
RAMPS  405 405 
WALKING SURFACES WITH RUNNING SLOPES OF 5%
403 403
OR LESS
     
WIDTH MODIFICATION (WHEN CONNECTING
1006.2 1006.2
CERTAIN FEATURES)
     
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GOLF CAR
1006.3 1006.3
PASSAGE
CLEAR WIDTH 1006.3.1 1006.3.1
COURSE BARRIERS 1006.3.2 1006.3.2
     
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GOLF COURSES 1006 1006
WEATHER SHELTER 1006.4 1006.4
     
OTHER TYPICAL SCOPING REQUIREMENTS AT
   
FISHING FACILITIES
DINING SURFACES 226 F226
NO SIMILAR
EMPLOYEE WORK AREAS (EXCEPTION) 203.9
EXCEPTION
LOCKER ROOMS 222 F222
PARKING 208 F208
PASSENGER LOADING ZONES AND BUS STOPS 209 F209
SERVICE COUNTER 227.3 F227.3
SIGNAGE 216 F216
SPECTATOR SEATING 221 F221
TEMPORARY FACILITIES 201.3 F201.3
TOILET AND BATHING 213 F213
VENDING MACHINES 228 F228

* THE GUIDE USES THE TERM ADAAG (AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES) AS THE BASIS OF THE REQUIREMENTS DISCUSSED.
THE RECREATIONAL PROVISIONS OF THESE GUIDELINES WERE ADOPTED INTO THE
2010 ADA STANDARDS WITHOUT CHANGES, SO THE ADAAG SECTION NUMBERS
CORRESPOND TO THE SAME SECTION NUMBERS IN THE ADA STANDARDS (AS WELL
AS THE ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS ACT (ABA) ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS).