Previous to my automobile accident, I used to be a good leisure golfer. Now a triple amputee and energy wheelchair person, I possible received’t fulfill my dream of teeing it up at Augusta Nationwide, however I can nonetheless dominate the miniature golf course in a sport of putt-putt — that’s, after a bit extra apply!
Lots of America’s miniature golf programs provide solely restricted accessibility — stairs resulting in holes atop waterfalls and volcanoes actually gradual my roll. However not all mini golf programs are so intricate, and St. Louis Union Station Mini Golf affords 18 holes of wheelchair-friendly miniature golf. The course opened in October 2019 and I performed my first spherical there final 12 months — it was my first time selecting up a golf membership in practically a decade, so pardon me if I don’t share my rating. 😉
ADA Necessities for Mini Golf Programs
You could be stunned to know that there are detailed accessibility necessities for miniature golf programs included within the People with Disabilities Act. 18-hole mini golf programs are solely required to make half of their holes accessible, topic to sure situations, however at St. Louis Union Station I used to be capable of play all 18.
I’ll do a deeper dive into these necessities in a future article, however for now, right here’s a abstract of the first ADA design requirements for miniature golf programs:
- At the least 50 p.c of the holes on a miniature golf course have to be accessible, with accessible holes being organized consecutively. One break is permitted within the sequence of accessible holes, as long as the final gap on the course is accessible.
- Accessible routes could also be both on the plating floor or adjoining it. No place on the enjoying floor the place a ball may come to relaxation might be greater than 36 inches away from the accessible route. If a curb encircles the enjoying floor and the accessible route is on the enjoying floor, a lowered entry/exit level of 32 inches huge have to be supplied, with a most 1 inch curb top.
- The teeing space have to be at the very least 48 by 60 inches, to permit a wheelchair person area to arrange the primary shot.
Further data on ADA necessities for mini golf programs is obtainable from the U.S. Entry Board.
Wheelchair Entry at St. Louis Union Station Mini Golf
I visited the mini golf course to have enjoyable. I didn’t flip up with a tape measure in hand to evaluate each angle. That mentioned, I discovered the course to be remarkably accessible — I didn’t have issue accessing the enjoying floor, nor was my ball ever out of attain. There have been a number of robust photographs to make sure, however the course is unquestionably wheelchair-friendly!
The doorway to the beginning space of every gap was degree with the sidewalk that snakes by means of the course. Area was enough to position my ball and take a stable swing from the seat of my energy wheelchair.
A ball grabber on the finish of the golf membership allowed me to retrieve my ball from the outlet with out having to lean ahead. It’s a easy accessibility answer that makes putt-putt golf extra accessible to folks of all ages and talent ranges, wheelchair customers included.
After enjoying the outlet, I might transfer to the subsequent teeing space through a chosen accessible exit with a lowered curb. The considerate design of the course and association of holes made for an accessible expertise and a very good time!
Admission Charges and Location
The St. Louis Union Station Mini Golf Course is correct the place you’d anticipate it to be, on the historic Union Station in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. The golf course and different actions at Union Station, together with a Ferris wheel and the St. Louis Aquarium, are simply steps from the Union Station mild rail cease. It’s straightforward to make use of the wheelchair accessible public transportation in St. Louis, and I like to recommend you journey to Union Station through the sunshine rail for the comfort and as a option to keep away from downtown parking charges.
The price of admission is $10 per individual plus tax — tickets might be bought on the mini golf course or through the St. Louis Union Station web site.
Ultimate Ideas
Mini golf is a enjoyable, family-friendly exercise that needs to be open and accessible to all. St. Louis Union Station hit a hole-in-one with its wheelchair accessible miniature golf course, however the enjoyable doesn’t must cease there. Guests can get pleasure from a full afternoon of thrills at different Union Station points of interest, together with the St. Louis Aquarium, St. Louis Wheel, a carousel and extra.
