EVENTS
 Sportsman of the Year
 Heisman Trophy
 Swimsuit 2001

CNNSI.com GROUP
 Sports Illustrated
 Life of Reilly
 SI Women
 SI for Kids
 Press Room
 TBS/TNT Sports
 CNN Languages

COMMERCE
 SI Customer Service
 SI Media Kits
 Get into College
 Sports Memorabilia
 TeamStore

Reactions: Casey Martin

Supreme Court's ruling divides CNNSI.com users

The Supreme Court of the United States ruled Casey Martin can use a golf cart during PGA Tour events. Users were divided on the issue of whether this was a good decision for the PGA Tour or not. Some say golf is a mental game and a cart won't make a difference, while others feel it is an unfair advantage. A sample of the responses we received follows:

I believe the Supreme Court's decision was wrong. I feel for Casey Martin, but walking is part of the game of golf. If a league or tour cannot set its own rules, what is to prevent a disabled person from suing major league baseball for the right to play? Rules are rules and they must apply to everybody that plays. Otherwise, an appearance of unfairness exists, and that alone undermines the integrity of the game. Maybe we would be talking about Tiger trying to tie Ben Hogan's grand slam year had he had a cart and been able to play in the PGA. The rules are set. Maybe I'll sue the PGA Tour because I can't qualify for the tournaments because of my disability to play good golf.
Mark Vrana, Detroit, Mich.

I don't think we'll be seeing much of Casey Martin on tour, even with his win in court. He's not qualified and has not played well enough to gain his card. Maybe a few sponsors will give him an exemption so that there is increased press and public interest in their tournament, but I don't think that will happen much. Only the best golfers play on the PGA TOUR, and Casey Martin is not one of them. I wish him luck, though.
Marc Acheson, Oakland, Calif.

I am happy for Casey Martin but I do foresee a potential problem. If, and that's a big if, he is going head to head against another golfer in a playoff he would have an unfair advantage as fatigue would be a factor. Golf is very much a mental game and when you get physically tired it limits your ability to concentrate.
Keith Ferrier, Toronto, Ontario

The Court got it right, and in the process gave the Tour a major black eye. Good move, Tour. Not only did you create horrible publicity by fighting Martin all the way to the Supreme Court, but now you have a binding legal precedent against you for all future cases. Oops.
Charles Tabb, Champaign, Ill.

Walking twenty miles during a tournament can wear a person down and Casey Martin will not have to endure this. I appreciate the work and effort he has put into his golf game but do not agree with the Supreme Court's decision. If he could hit a baseball would they let a runner stand in the other batter's box and take off for him on contact? I don't think so.
Chris Tinius, Bowling Green, Ky.

Now we will find out if Casey Martin's golf game is as good as his attorneys arguments were.
Dave, Farmington Hills, Mich.

It is the right decision. Casey Martin has overcome the difficulties of his ailment to compete with the top golfers in the world, at times even beating them. To say that his use of a cart would give him an advantage is absurd. All of us weekend hackers know that whether riding or not, the game is merciless. How about a compromise? Let all players choose to walk or use a cart. At the end of the day, it ain't going to help that little ball go straight, or those bending putts break in. Good luck Casey!
Joseph Turk, Seattle, Wash.

Outstanding ruling! I could never understand how the elitists felt walking was such a major part of the game when they have someone else carrying their bag.
Sean P. Gray, Haltom City, Texas

Tim Finchem and the tour blew it. Being a lawyer, Finchem should have done the smart thing and AVOIDED litigation on this in order to keep the tour governed by the tour. Finchem should have let Casey have his cart. His disability is clearly one that prevents him from having a clear "advantage" on the course. Then he could have said to everyone, we'll make exceptions on a case by case basis. Having Casey as the standard, everyone would have had to have matched or come very close to Casey's standard for use of a cart. Instead, our litigious society mentality ruled over common sense. Shakespeare was right, "Kill all the Lawyers"
Larry Shipp, London, UK

I think this decision is wrong. He plays professional golf, which is considered a sport. He shouldn't be able to use a cart. His physical disability is his problem and if he isn't physically able to play like every other golfer on the tour, he should be banned from the tour. Using the cart is an advantage. Part of the game and competition is having to walk from hole to hole. If he can't do it, he shouldn't be able to play on the pro level. He should just suck it up and play fairly.
Patrick Callahan, Dallas, Texas

It's great for Casey Martin and I'm happy for him, but what kind of precedent is being set? Do I have a short game disability? I cannot make eight-foot putts and therefore I'm not on the tour. Does this precedent mean I should get 10-foot gimmes? Anything within 50 yards of the green gets a free foot wedge? I think not. I have walked 18 holes several times in my life and it is physically draining. Driving on 18 is much more difficult than off the first tee box. You are tired and fatigued and sometimes don't even want to finish. I think that walking is as much a part of the sport as pitching and putting. This gives Casey Martin a huge advantage over other golfers. Why can't the guy find another line of work? I have.
Ray Mann, Dallas

I disagree with the Supreme Court having any role in this or any other sport. I think the courts should leave the sporting world alone and allow the particular sports to apply their respective rules to their particular sport.
Chauncey Liese, Montpelier, Vt.

I say way to go Supreme Court! Being a disabled person myself, I think its great. Everyone has a right to be included.
Jeremy, San Diego, Calif.

It is absolutely wrong decision, but appropriate for today's overly "politically correct" society. We are a diverse society, and not everyone has the same abilities, attributes, or shortcomings. If the governing body of golf decides that the sport is played without golf carts, then so be it. What if someone claimed that due to disability he/she needed to bowl with a ramp because lifting the ball was painful. Should the Pro Bowlers Tour allow it? If someone is disabled because they are missing an arm, sometime in the future, should he/she be allowed to play with a robotic arm with phenomenal strength? Everyone is not created equal, and we should not expect everyone to compete equally. Trying to "level the playing field" is a disservice to those who are the most skilled.
Brad H., Denver, Colo.

Casey Martin will use a cart on the PGA Tour and the sky hasn't fallen yet. All those Chicken Littles that resisted this simple plea should be forced to live like Casey for a day and see how it feels. Golf should have been championing this kid from Day 1. I hope those hypocrites choke on their Titelists. All hail the Supreme Court.
Jon Greenberg, Athens, Ohio

Copyright © 2001 CNN/Sports Illustrated An AOL Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.