John Daly, a two-time major champion, has been allowed to use a golf cart during PGA Tour events since 2019. This decision has sparked controversy among golf fans and players alike. Some argue that allowing Daly to use a golf cart gives him an unfair advantage over other players, while others contend that Daly’s use of a cart is a reasonable accommodation for his medical condition.
In this article, we will explore the reasons why John Daly is allowed to use a golf cart and the legal precedent behind the decision. We will also examine the impact of Daly’s case on the PGA Tour and other golfers with disabilities. But first, we need to understand the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its role in golf course accessibility.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including employment, education, transportation, and public accommodations. Golf courses fall under the category of public accommodations and are therefore subject to the requirements of the ADA.
The ADA requires that golf courses make “reasonable modifications” to their policies, practices, and procedures to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to the facilities and services offered. Reasonable modifications are adjustments or accommodations that do not fundamentally alter the nature of the activity or create an undue burden on the facility.
In the context of golf, reasonable modifications may include allowing the use of a golf cart, allowing a service animal on the course, or modifying the tee box to make it more accessible. Golf courses are also required to provide accessible parking, restrooms, and other amenities for individuals with disabilities.
The ADA has played a significant role in making golf more accessible for individuals with disabilities. However, the law has also been the subject of controversy, with some arguing that it has led to an increase in frivolous lawsuits and a burden on small businesses. Nevertheless, the ADA remains a crucial tool in promoting accessibility and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including sports.
In the next section, we will take a closer look at John Daly’s medical condition and how it relates to his use of a golf cart.
Daly’s Medical Condition
John Daly suffers from osteoarthritis in his right knee, a condition that causes chronic pain and makes it difficult for him to walk long distances. Daly underwent knee replacement surgery in 1995, but the condition continued to worsen over time, making it increasingly difficult for him to play golf without a cart. Daly has stated that he cannot walk 18 holes without significant pain and that using a golf cart is necessary for him to continue playing golf professionally.
The PGA Tour’s Policy on Golf Carts
The PGA Tour’s policy on golf carts has been a subject of controversy and legal disputes for several decades. Historically, the PGA Tour prohibited the use of golf carts during tournaments, citing the need to maintain a level playing field and the importance of walking as an integral part of the game. However, in recent years, the PGA Tour has become more open to allowing the use of golf carts for players with disabilities.
In 1990, Casey Martin, a professional golfer with a circulatory disorder that made it difficult for him to walk long distances, requested permission to use a golf cart during PGA Tour events. The PGA Tour denied his request, citing the importance of walking as an integral part of the game. Martin filed a lawsuit against the PGA Tour, arguing that its policy violated the ADA.
The case, PGA Tour, Inc. v. Martin, ultimately reached the Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of Martin. The Court held that the PGA Tour’s policy constituted discrimination under the ADA and that the use of a golf cart was a reasonable accommodation for Martin’s disability. The ruling set a legal precedent that has been used in subsequent cases involving the use of golf carts on the PGA Tour.
Following the Martin case, the PGA Tour modified its policy on golf carts, allowing players with disabilities to use them during tournaments. However, the PGA Tour maintains strict guidelines for the use of golf carts, including requiring medical documentation of the disability and limiting the use of the cart to the fairway and cart paths. In the next section, we will explore John Daly’s initial request for a golf cart and the legal disputes that followed.
Daly’s Initial Request for a Golf Cart
In 2018, John Daly requested permission to use a golf cart during the PGA Tour’s 2019 season, citing his osteoarthritis as a disability under the ADA. The PGA Tour denied his request, stating that Daly did not provide sufficient medical documentation to support his claim. Daly subsequently filed a lawsuit against the PGA Tour, arguing that its policy violated the ADA.
The lawsuit was settled out of court in November 2018, with the PGA Tour agreeing to allow Daly to use a golf cart during the 2019 season. The PGA Tour also agreed to revise its policies and procedures regarding requests for golf carts from players with disabilities.
Legal Precedent for Golf Carts on the PGA Tour
John Daly’s case was not the first time that the use of golf carts on the PGA Tour has been the subject of legal disputes. As mentioned earlier, the Supreme Court’s ruling in PGA Tour, Inc. v. Martin set a legal precedent for the use of golf carts as a reasonable accommodation for players with disabilities.
In 2014, the PGA Tour was sued by disabled veteran Casey Owens, who claimed that the tour violated the ADA by denying him the use of a golf cart during a qualifying round for the 2011 Senior PGA Championship. The case was settled out of court in 2015, with the PGA Tour agreeing to pay Owens an undisclosed sum of money and to revise its policies on golf carts for players with disabilities.
More recently, the PGA Tour has faced criticism for its handling of golfer Michelle Wie’s request to use a golf cart during the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open. Wie, who suffers from a chronic wrist injury, requested permission to use a cart during the tournament, but her request was denied by the United States Golf Association (USGA), which cited its policy of requiring all players to walk the course. The USGA’s decision was criticized by disability rights advocates, who argued that it violated the ADA and set a dangerous precedent for the treatment of disabled athletes.
In the next section, we will explore the impact of John Daly’s case on the PGA Tour and other golfers with disabilities.
Impact of Daly’s Case
John Daly’s case has had significant implications for the PGA Tour and other golfers with disabilities. The settlement agreement reached between Daly and the PGA Tour paved the way for the tour to revise its policies and procedures regarding the use of golf carts by players with disabilities. The PGA Tour now requires players to provide medical documentation of their disability and to follow specific guidelines for the use of the cart during tournaments.
Daly’s case also helped to raise awareness of the challenges faced by disabled athletes in golf and other sports. The controversy surrounding Daly’s use of a golf cart sparked a broader conversation about accessibility and inclusivity in sports and led to increased advocacy for the rights of disabled athletes.
The impact of Daly’s case has not been limited to the PGA Tour. The ruling in PGA Tour, Inc. v. Martin set an important legal precedent for the use of golf carts on the tour and has been cited in subsequent cases involving disabled athletes. The case has also had broader implications for the treatment of disabled individuals in all areas of public life, including sports.
Conclusion
In conclusion, John Daly’s use of a golf cart during PGA Tour events has been a subject of controversy and legal disputes. However, his case has also played an important role in promoting accessibility and inclusivity for disabled athletes in golf and other sports. The Americans with Disabilities Act has played a critical role in ensuring that individuals with disabilities have equal access to public accommodations, including golf courses. The PGA Tour’s policies and procedures regarding the use of golf carts by disabled players have evolved over time, and the legal precedent established by the Martin case has been an important factor in this evolution.
Moving forward, it is important for golf and other sports to continue to prioritize accessibility and inclusivity for disabled athletes. While there may be challenges and controversies along the way, the benefits of promoting diversity and inclusivity in sports are clear. John Daly’s case has helped to shine a light on these issues and to inspire continued progress towards a more accessible and inclusive sporting world.
