The Professional Golfers' Association must allow Casey Martin to use a golf cart on the PGA Tour in order to comply with the ADA, said the Supreme Court in a 7-2 ruling on May 29. Pro-golfer Martin, 28, uses a cart as an accommodation for a painful circulation disorder in his right leg. According to the PGA, making athletes walk all 18 holes is a crucial test of stamina.

Writing for the majority, Justice John Paul Stevens said Casey's use of a cart will not fundamentally change the game of golf, but instead will allow him the chance to qualify for and compete in the PGA Tour. Stevens, an avid golfer, also wrote that the walking requirement is "at best peripheral" to the PGA Tour. Also, if making golfers walk is to tax their stamina, Martin's disability does that for him. Justice Antonin Scalia's dissent, joined by Justice Clarence Thomas, said the majority stretched the meaning of the ADA to come up with different sets of sporting rules for nondisabled and disabled athletes.

Martin sued the PGA Tour under the ADA for denying him use of the golf cart as a "reasonable modification." In part, the ADA says such "reasonable modifications" are allowed for people with disabilities unless the changes would fundamentally alter the place or event.