Guidelines for the inclusion of people with disability in golf
Providing a practical framework for golf clubs and facilities to ensure that people with disability can access, participate in and enjoy golf on an equal basis.
Summary
The Guidelines provide information to assist decision makers to maximise the inclusion of people with disability in golf and to comply with their legal obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act.
Read the guidelines
Guidelines for the inclusion of people with disability in golf
The Guidelines have been developed by the Australian Human Rights Commission in partnership with Golf Australia and supported by The R&A (global golf governing body).
Every person has the right to engage in community life, including in sport. Under the Disability Discrimination Act, providers of goods, services and facilities – including golf clubs – are required to provide reasonable adjustments so that people with disability can take part on an equal basis with others.
How to use the Guidelines
This resource is designed to support and guide clubs to better understand their legislative obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act, and beyond that, to create an accessible and inclusive environment for all members of all abilities.
The Guidelines are divided into three parts.
In PART 1 information is provided about disability and human rights.
In PART 2 the guidelines cover what the law says about disability discrimination, including:
- information about the Disability Discrimination Act in relation to unlawful discrimination on the basis of disability.
- information about other relevant areas of law, such as state-based anti discrimination laws, and privacy laws.
Part 2 is useful for clubs navigating issues related to disability discrimination and meeting reasonable adjustments of members. For instance, a ‘how to’ guide steps out what considerations need to be made by golf clubs when they receive requests for adjustments.
In PART 3, an Inclusion Guide for Golf Clubs provides practical guidance and resources for promoting inclusion in the sport of golf. Part 3 can be used as a consultative resource by clubs in their strategic planning and when developing a Disability Action Plan for creating inclusive environments, experiences and events.
Executive summary
The Guidelines for the inclusion of people with disability in golf were developed by the Australian Human Rights Commission in partnership with Golf Australia and supported by The R&A. The Guidelines provide a practical framework for golf clubs and facilities to ensure that people with disability can access, participate in, and enjoy golf on an equal basis with others. The Guidelines combine human rights principles, legal obligations, and practical inclusion measures to help clubs create welcoming environments for players, members, volunteers, staff and spectators with disability.
The Guidelines recognise that it is a human right for people with disability to take part in sports and community life on an equal basis with others. Golf clubs and facilities have a legal responsibility under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), to avoid discrimination and provide reasonable adjustments to support equal participation.
The Guidelines explain the concept of reasonable adjustments and provide guidance to clubs on how they can work collaboratively with people with disability to identify and implement practical solutions that enable participation, unless doing so would impose an unjustifiable hardship. The Guidelines promote open, respectful conversations focused on understanding a person’s needs rather than requiring them to prove their disability.
They also provide a structured decision-making process to help clubs assess requests fairly and transparently. The Guidelines encourage clubs to move beyond minimum legal compliance and adopt a proactive approach to inclusion of people with disability through Disability Action Plans, leadership commitment and continuous improvement. They highlight the importance of embedding accessibility and inclusion into strategic planning, policies, operations, communications and community engagement.
Examples from the golf sector demonstrate how clubs can successfully build inclusive cultures and increase participation through partnerships, adaptive equipment, staff training and targeted programs. Practical guidance is provided on improving the accessibility of golf facilities, including clubhouses, courses, signage, websites and booking systems.
The Guidelines promote the principles of Universal Design and recommend accessibility audits, consultation with people with disability, and compliance with recognised standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Particular attention is given to issues commonly experienced by golfers with disability, including access to golf carts, mobility devices, pace of play considerations and participation in competitions.
