Court rules in Martin's favour

In a decision that arouses a whole range of conflicting emotions and arguments, Casey Martin, a disabled professional golfer, has been given an American court's permission to use a motorised cart in professional tournaments.

Martin, a talented 25-year-old who played college golf with Tiger Woods, suffers from a severe circulation disorder which makes it extremely painful for him to walk. It may lead, eventually, to amputation. He sued the US PGA Tour, which has a rule banning carts for all its members, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and yesterday a magistrate agreed that he should be allowed the use of a vehicle.

Thomas Coffin ruled that the Tour was obliged to make an exception to its rules, adding, in a judgment of extraordinary wording: "Congress intended to protect disabled individuals not only from intentional discrimination, but also from indifference."

The US Tour, who intend to appeal against the judgment, could hardly be accused of indifference, but it insists that using a cart confers a considerable advantage to the individual concerned. Its stance was summed up by its statement to the court. It said: "We believe strongly in the central role walking plays for all competitors in tournament championship golf." Both Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, in testimony given by video, echoed that position. The Tour added: "We believe that the Act was not designed or intended to apply to competitors in professional sporting events."

It has, however, been overruled, at least for the moment and Martin, who won a Nike Tour event earlier this year using a cart under a temporary order from the magistrate, will now compete in the Greater Austin Open in Texas.

Not unnaturally Martin was jubilant, and said afterwards that he hoped others would now follow suit. There can be very little doubt that the use of a cart over the five-six days of a tournament confers huge benefits in terms of relief from physical tiredness and it is the Tour's position that fitness and strength play a significant part in the winning and losing of an event by the time the tournament reaches the last nine holes.

It is difficult to harden the heart to a degree that would debar Martin from playing in the only way that he can, but where does it all end? How disabled does a player have to be before a cart can be allowed? This case is not over yet, and the ramifications will rumble on for a very long time.