Contents
· Introduction & Background
· Qualifications & Criteria for Buggy Use
· Equality Act
· Course Topography Considerations & Restrictions
· Golf Buggy Safety Policy
· Conditions of Use
· Golf Buggy Safe Working Practice
· Golf Buggy Safety Policy Acknowledgment Form
Introduction & Background
Brampton Golf Club has a duty of care to all users of the golf course. Due to disability, some members, visitors and guests may not be able to play golf without the help provided by a motorised ride-on buggy. The purpose of this document is to establish a standard for the safe operation of any ride-on buggies authorised and operated within the confines of Brampton Golf Club (BGC). The document also sets down the criteria to be applied and conditions to be met for buggy use.
The topography of the BGC course is such that you are asked to please take particular note of Course Topography Considerations & Restrictions thereof referred to later within this document.
Qualifications & Criteria for Buggy Use
Use of a ride-on buggy will not be allowed unless authorised by BGC and will be restricted to members, visitors and guests.
Users of Ride on buggies on the Course fall into two categories:
1. Users of Club owned buggies hired or otherwise
2. Users of privately owned buggies
Any person who operates a ride-on buggy on the golf course is deemed by so doing, to have the knowledge, training and skill to safely operate the vehicle and be fully accountable for their actions and the consequences thereof. The safe operation of ride-on buggies on the course requires conscientious application and adherence to the minimum standard of care prescribed by this policy.
Ride-on buggies must be operated in accordance with the requirements of the following documents;
· Golf Buggy Safety Policy
· Golf Buggy Safe Working Practice
· Golf Buggy Safety Policy Acknowledgment Form
In order that these conditions can in practice be met, the BGC committee / Manager or their approved nominee must whenever possible be given prior notice of a requirement by a member, visitor or guest to use a ride-on buggy. BGC reserves the right to refuse permission if some or all the conditions stipulated are not complied with.
BGC also reserves the right to withdraw authorisation if the conditions for its use are not fully complied with.
From time-to-time BGC staff may determine that the state of the course or the weather is such that safety on or the condition of the course may be unacceptably compromised if a ride-on buggy is used. This might apply to the whole or just part of the course. Potentially unsuitable conditions include, but are not restricted to, waterlogging, frost, snow & reduced visibility. Where such conditions arise BGC will review the situation on at least a daily basis.
Equality Act 2010
Primarily, the act concerns itself with anyone who has a disability as defined by this legislation. Under the Act, Golf Clubs and other premises have a legal duty to produce a policy that allows equal access to the Club to those players who have a recognised disability as defined by Section 6 of the Act. The Club must ensure that all reasonable adjustments which may include the use of a golf buggy are made to allow those with a disability to play Golf.
The Club has also decided that it would also be beneficial to any future members as well as to our current membership that we develop a policy that encompasses all members and visitors who while not fulfilling the legislative definitions of being disabled but nevertheless need the help provided by a motorised ride-on buggy to play golf.
Course Topography Considerations & Restrictions
Due to the historic layout of Brampton Golf Club, in particular holes,6 ,7, 8, 9, 11, 13, particular consideration has, and continues, to be given to the potentially hazardous nature of this section of the course.
To this effect, after careful consideration and risk assessments having been carried out, BGC will operate a traffic light system:
· Green, no restricted route in operation.
· Amber, the restricted route as laid out in Appendix 1.
· Red, the restricted route as laid out in Appendix 2.
Golf Buggy Safety Policy
The Club has a duty of care to its employees and all users of the golf course. Caution and care must be shown by all users of buggies. The Club must also ensure adequate safe means of access for all golfers as well as those given permission to use buggies. Moreover, the Club has to ensure the safety of the majority of golfers who do not use buggies but who might be at risk from a mechanically defective buggy or its careless use. The Club's duty of care also applies to any members of the public who may be on the course.
To assist the safe employment of ride-on buggies all potential users (members, visitors and guests) shall comply with the following conditions:
1. Ride-on buggies must be operated with the utmost courtesy, care and consideration for the safety and convenience of pedestrians. Pedestrians must be afforded the right-of-way at all times.
2. The signs and instructions employed on the course to warn buggy riders of potential danger areas or, areas forbidden to ride-on buggies because of concerns about danger or, the potential unacceptable wear and tear to the course, must be followed at all times.
3. Ride-on buggies must be operated and parked in such a manner that they do not impede or interfere with normal pedestrian or vehicular flow on roadways, ramps or pavements.
4. Ride-on buggies operators will be responsible for the security of ignition keys for the period that the buggy is on the property owned by BGC.
5. BGC have no responsibility for ensuring the safe operation of ride-on buggies on or beyond the confines of the course and the club main car park other than those operated by their servants or agents. The Club will accept no responsibility for any loss or damage caused to any property other than that arising from the negligent use of a ride-on buggy by their servants or agents.
6. The consumption of alcohol and / or the improper use of drugs is not permitted when using the ride-on buggy.
7. The BGC committee / Manager has the authority to immediately prohibit any individual from using or being carried on a ride-on buggy. Application for reinstatement of permission can only be made to BGC.
Conditions of Use
To ensure the safe use of buggies, all users are required to comply with the following conditions:-
· Buggies may only be used by those authorised by Brampton Golf Club so to do.
· Buggies must be operated with the utmost common sense, courtesy, care and consideration for the safety and convenience of pedestrians. Pedestrians must be afforded the right-of-way at all times.
· Users will be responsible for the security of ignition keys for the period that the buggy is in use in their care and on Club property.
· Any signs and instructions used to warn buggy riders of potential danger areas or areas in which buggies must not be used because of the potential to cause unacceptable wear and tear to the course must be complied with at all times.
· Brampton Golf Club has no responsibility for ensuring the safe operation of buggies on or beyond the confines of the course and the Club car-parks other than those operated by their servants or agents. The Club will accept no responsibility for any loss or damage caused to any property other than that arising from the negligent use of a buggy by their servants or agents.
Golf Buggy Safe Working Practice
Before Use
All users must sign a Safety Policy Acknowledgement Form (below) before they are allowed to drive a buggy at Brampton Golf Club. This can be signed and sent back to us before the day of play or on the day itself.
All users must ensure that they are familiar with the buggy controls and the constraints on buggy use prior to buggy use.
During Use
· Take great care whilst crossing the B6143 Brampton to Castle Carrock road between holes 6 & 7 and 15 & 16.
· A buggy shall only be used for the number of occupants it was designed to carry and only by those who are authorised to do so by Brampton Golf Club.
· Under no circumstances should the buggy be removed from Brampton Golf Club course or main car park, except when crossing the B6143 Brampton to Castle Carrock road between holes 6 & 7 and 15 & 16.
· Be satisfied that the buggy is well maintained and fully serviceable.
· Not move off until the occupants are seated.
· Always remain seated with hands, feet and head kept inside the buggy at all times while the buggy is in motion.
· Not drive buggies in prohibited areas.
· Use the buggy to progress the game by driving it in the direction of play.
· Must not drive the buggy in tight circles or into the rough or semi-rough even when looking for golf balls.
· Not use the buggy on tees, greens or the slopes leading up to them.
· Not use the buggy within 2 metres of any bunkers, ditches or slopes leading to them.
· No severe inclines to be attempted in Golf Car.
· Check the area behind the buggy before reversing.
· Apply the parking brake before leaving the buggy.
· Always consider the terrain, existing vehicular and pedestrian traffic as well as environmental factors that may affect the user's ability to operate the buggy safely.
· Drive the buggy only as fast as the terrain and safety considerations allow.
· Drive the buggy directly up and down sharp slopes to avoid the risk of it tipping over.
· Slow down before cornering.
· Execute all turns at reduced speeds.
· Avoid sudden stops or changes of direction to prevent loss of control or damage to grass.
· Take extra care in strong winds or when the course is wet or frosted.
After Use
· After use, the buggy should be parked where collected from, with the parking brake engaged, the operating key turned to the off position. If hired, hand the key back in to the pro shop/bar to a member of staff.
· Report any damage of a hired Golf Buggy to the Club Professional upon completion of play and pay for such damage to the Golf Buggy occurring whilst the Golf Car was in the possession, custody or control of the Lessee.
Buggy Safety Policy Acknowledgement Form
All golfers must complete this form prior to using a Golf Buggy (“Buggy”)
Any person/s who operates a buggy at Brampton Golf Club are required in so doing, to have the knowledge, training and skill to operate the buggy safely and shall be fully accountable for their actions and consequences thereof.
The safe operation of buggies requires responsible application and adherence to the minimum standard of care prescribed by this policy.