The first suggestion we have to reaching the goal of becoming more welcoming to people with autism is to create a social story at your golf course. A social story is a preview of what is going to happen through a sequenced set of illustrations or photos. This can help prepare the person with autism on what to expect while at the golf course.
We also suggest having well-placed visual aids that let the person with autism know that they can take a break at any time. The student can pick up one of these break cards at our registration table.
We recommend establishing sensory neutral areas in your facilities, both in the clubhouse and on the golf course. These are private areas with soft lighting and comfortable temperatures. Your golf course can feature a place where the students can continue working on their golf skills in a quieter, less crowded setting. We have found that having these two sensory neutral areas pre-established is extremely helpful to both the person with autism along with their caregiver.
The Business Impact of making your golf course more welcoming to people with autism
Exposing a lifelong, wonderful sport to a group of people, who may not otherwise have the chance to learn, is a guaranteed way to grow our sport. One of our favorite things to do is to help people who never thought they could play the game of golf become golfers. We have found that these golfers often help lapsed golfers get back in the game. The lapsed golfer seems to develop a better attitude about the game and have more fun out on the golf course.
Golf For All’s accessible golf programs operated through the pandemic and are poised to continue our rapid growth. Our Putting for Autism program, which will take place every Monday evening this summer at Braintree Municipal, typically has more than 100 participants. We see many of the golfers from our program out on the golf course, and in most cases, accompanied by a caregiver who is also playing. Our goal is to get as many golfers from our special clinics out and enjoying golf as a valued part of their lives.