a summary o f 

ac c e s sibilit y guideline s 

for recreation facilities 

JUNE 2 0 0 3 

A FEDER AL A GENC Y C OMMITTED T O A C CE S SIBLE DE SIGN 

accessible miniature golf 

amusement rides boating facilities f ishing piers & platforms golf courses miniature golf sports facilities swimming pools & spas 
C ontents Accessibility Guidelines for Recreation Facilities . . . 1 

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 

Miniature Golf Courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 

Accessible Holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Accessible Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Start of Play Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 More Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 

This information has been developed and reviewed in accordance with the Access 

Board’s information quality guidelines (www.access-board.gov/infoquality.htm). 

Cover photo, bottom: Atlantic Miniature Golf 

Accessibility 

Recrea tion Fa

The Access Board issue

recreation facilities in 2

As a supplement, they 

mentioned throughout t

ccessibility guidelines c

www.access-board.gov 

Once these guidelines a

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A SUMMARY OF ACCESSIBILITY G
accessible miniature golf 

The recreation facility guidelines cover the following facilities and elements: ■ Amusement rides ■ Exercise equipment
■ Boating facilities ■ Bowling lanes
■ Fishing piers and platforms ■ Shooting facilities
■ Miniature golf courses ■ Swimming pools, wading pools, 
■ Golf courses and spas


This guide is intended to help designers and operators in using the accessibility guidelines for miniature golf courses. These guidelines establish minimum accessibility requirements 

for newly designed or newly constructed and altered 

miniature golf courses. This guide is not a collection of miniature golf course designs. Rather, it provides specifications for elements within a miniature golf course to 

create a general level of usability for individuals with 

disabilities. Emphasis is placed on ensuring that individuals with disabilities are generally able to access the miniature golf course and use a variety of elements. 

Designers and operators are encouraged to exceed the 

guidelines where possible to provide increased accessibility and opportunities. Incorporating accessibility into 

the design of a miniature golf course should begin early in the planning process with 

careful consideration to accessible holes and accessible routes. 

The recreation facility guidelines were developed with significant public participation. In 

1993, the Access Board established an advisory committee of 27 members to recommend 

accessibility guidelines for recreation facilities. The Recreation Access Advisory 

Committee represented the following groups and associations: 

■ American Ski Federat■	 American Society for 

Testing and Materials (Public Playground Safety Committee) 

■	 American Society of 

Landscape Architects 

■ Beneficial Designs ■	 City and County of Sa

Francisco, California, Department of 

Public Works 

■ Disabled American Vet■ Environmental Access ■	 Golf Course 

Superintendents Association of Americ

■	 Hawaii Disability and 

Communication Access Board 

■	 International Associat

of Amusement Parks and Attractions 

ATLANTIC MINIATURE GOLF 

The public was given an 

guidelines, and the Acc

the public comments. A Federal Register in July 

input from the public w

final rule soliciting com

2 A SUMMARY OF ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR RECREATION FACILITIES A SUMMARY OF ACCESSIBILITY G
accessible miniature golf 

ACCES SIBLE HOL ES 1 THROUGH 8 & 18 (50% OF HOL ES) 

ACCE S S I B LE 

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4 A SUMMARY OF ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR RECREATION FACILITIES A SUMMARY OF ACCESSIBILITY G
accessible miniature golf 

INDI V IDUAL STA RT ING PL AY 

Accessible Holes At least 50 percent of the holes on a miniature golf course 

must be accessible—if possible, operators should make all 

holes accessible. Accessible holes must be consecutive, to 

offer a more socially integrated experience. If only the 

minimum number of holes are accessible, it is recommended that designers select holes that will offer 

golfers who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices a 

playing experience that is as equivalent as possible to the 

experience of golfers without disabilities. 

An exception permits courses to have one break in the 

sequence of accessible holes, if the last hole in the 

sequence is the last hole on the course. The route in which 

a golfer with a disability must travel may not require travel back through any holes, even if the route is adjacent to the 

hole and not on the hole itself. 

Accessible Routes Accessible routes are continuous, unobstructed paths 

connecting all accessible elements and spaces of a building 

or facility. The accessible route must comply with ADAAG 

provisions for the 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 otherwise modified by specific 

provisions outlined in this guide. The accessible route must 

connect the facility’s entrance with the first accessible hole 

and with start of play area on each following accessible hole. 

The course must be co

the last accessible hole 

When not all holes are 

required to double bac

possible, designers and 

all holes accessible. 

An accessible route cothe hole-playing surfac

Accessible Routes on t■	 The surface of the a

and slip resistant. (Wplaying surface, they requirements in ADA

they are still requireresistant.) 

■	 There is usually a cu

within the area. Whe

the course, a 1-inch 

an opening of 32 incroute extends outsidpassage of wheelchathe hole. Designers sin an area where the 

■	 The accessible route 

36 inches (the golf c

the ball comes to re

6 A SUMMARY OF ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR RECREATION FACILITIES A SUMMARY OF ACCESSIBILITY G
accessible miniature golf 

ACCE S S I B LE ROUTE O N THE P L A Y I N G S URF ACE 

48 ” 

M I N I MUM 

36” 

M I N I MUM 

L AND I N G 

(1:2 0 MAX I M UM 

SLOPE) 

SL O PE 

4 ” MAX I MUM 

RISE A T 

1:4 SL O P E 

4 

1 

LIMITED STEEP ■	 Landings must be 48 inches long. Where ramps change 

direction, the landing size must be a minimum of 48 

inches by 60 inches. The orientation of the length and 

the width have not been specified for added flexibility in 

design. Slopes on landings must be no more than 

1:20 (5%). 

■	 If the accessible route is on the playing surface, handrails 

are not required. The accessible route may include a 

maximum slope of 1:4 (25%) for a maximum 4-inch rise. These steeper slopes or ramps are permitted for limited 

distances. 

Accessible Routes Adjacent to the Playing Surface ■	 If the accessible route is adjacent to the playing surface, 

it must not exceed 36 inches from any area where golf 

balls rest. This allows players to be close enough to reach 

the ball and play from outside the hole. The accessible 

route should be as close to the level playing areas as 

possible. 

■	 The accessible route adjacent to the playing surface must 

comply with ADAAG. The accessible route provisions in 

ADAAG address slope (maximum of 1:12 or 8.33%), width PL A Y I N G S U RF ACE 

ACCE S S I B LE 

ROUTE 

36” 

MAX I M UM 

ACCES SIBLE ROUTES ADJACENT (minimum of 36 inches), cross slope (maximum of 

TO PL AY ING SURFACE 1:50 or 2%), handrails, and changes in level. 

Start of Play Areas The clear floor or grou

each accessible hole m

allow players to positio

must have a slope no s

wheelchairs or mobility 

while positioned on a s

and the clear space ca

More Information You can obtain copies 

which include miniature 

technical assistance frwww.access-board.go

1-800-993-2822 (TTY)

8 A SUMMARY OF ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR RECREATION FACILITIES A SUMMARY OF ACCESSIBILITY G