GOLF BUGGY SAFETY POLICY -

USE OF RIDE-ON BUGGIES ON THE GOLF COURSE

Introduction

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 all ride-on buggies operated on the course at Upton Golf Club. The document also sets down the criteria to be applied and conditions to be met when the Club considers applications for buggy use.

The Club has a duty of care to all users of the golf course. The topography of certain areas of the course is such that caution and prudence must be shown by the user of a ride-on buggy.

It is also necessary for the Club to provide adequately safe means of access for all golfers including those given permission to use buggies. Moreover, the Club has to ensure the safety of golfers who do not wish to use ride-on buggies but who might be at risk from a mechanically defective ride-on buggy or its careless use.

Qualifications

Use of a ride-on buggy will not be allowed unless authorised by the Club.

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 this 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.

• Gold Buggy Safety Policy
• Golf Buggy Safe Working Practice
• Golf Buggy Safety Policy Acknowledgement Form

In order that these conditions can, in practice, be met, the Professional or their approved nominee must be given prior notice of a requirement by a member, visitor or guest to use a ride-on buggy. The Club reserves the right to refuse permission if some or all of the conditions stipulated are not complied with.

The Club reserves the right to withdraw authorisation if the medical condition or disability necessitating the use of a ride-on buggy ceases, or the conditions for its use are not fully complied with.

From time to time the Head Greenkeeper may determine that the state of the course, or weather conditions, are such that safety on, or the condition of, the course may be unacceptably compromised if a ride-on buggy were to be used. This might apply to the whole or just part of the course. Potentially unsuitable conditions include water logging, frost, etc. Where such conditions arise the Club will review the situation on at least a twice daily basis.

Use in General Play and Competitions

During general play a ride-on buggy can be used by members, visitors and guests authorised to do so.

Ride-on buggies may be used during closed and open competitions by those suffering from a disability within the meaning of Section 6 of the Equality Act 2010.

To assist the safe employment of ride-on buggies all potential users (members, visitors and guests) shall comply with the following conditions:-

• 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.
• The signs and instructions employed on the course to warn buggy riders of potential danger areas forbidden to ride-on buggies because of concerns about danger or, the potential to cause unacceptable wear and tear to the course, must be followed at all times.
• 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.
• Ride-on buggy operators will be responsible for the security of ignition keys for the period that the buggy is on the property owned by the Club.
• Upton Golf Club have no responsibility for ensuring the safe operation of ride-on 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 ride-on buggy by their servants or agents.
• No ride-on buggy will be operated in excess of 15km per hour. All speed limits must be observed.
• Ride-on buggies shall be used only between dawn and dusk.
• Ride-on buggies must be operated in compliance with the common rules of the road regardless of whether ride-on buggies are operated on pavements or roadways.
• Operators must stop the buggy at blind intersections and proceed with caution.
• The consumption of alcohol and/or the use of drugs is not permitted when using the ride-on buggy.
• The Professional 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 the Chairman.
• There must be in force an appropriate policy of insurance for the use of ride on buggies, such policy indemnifying the Club against any liability for its use.
• Never allow children to access a ride on buggy unsupervised by an adult.

Safe Working Practice

Before Use

All operators of ride-on buggies must sign a Safety Policy Acknowledgement Form before they are allowed to drive the buggy.

A ride-on buggy shall only be used for the number of occupants it was designed to carry and only by people who are authorised to use one.

During Use

• Do not move off until the occupants are seated.
• Always remain seated and hold on while the vehicle is in motion.
• Hands, feet and head must always be kept inside the buggy at all times while the vehicle is in motion.
• Ride-on buggies must not be driven in prohibited areas.
• The vehicle must be used to progress the game and must not be driven up and down excessively, e.g. when looking for golf balls.
• The vehicle must not be used on tees, greens, Aprons and Fringes or the slopes within 10 yards leading to them.
• The vehicle must not be used within 10 yards of any bunkers, ditches or ponds or slopes leading to them except when using designated bridges.
• Check the area behind the vehicle before reversing.
• Set the parking brake before leaving the vehicle.
• Always consider the terrain, existing vehicular and pedestrian traffic conditions as well as environmental factors that may affect your ability to operate the vehicle safely.
• Drive the vehicle only as fast as the terrain and safety considerations allow.
• To avoid tipping over, drive the buggy straight up and down slopes.
• Slow down before corners.
• All turns must be executed at reduced speed.
• Avoid sudden stops or changes of direction that may result in loss of control.
• Be extra careful when the course is wet and muddy.

After Use

When the vehicle is left unattended, turn the operating key to the off position, remove the key and engage the parking brake.

This page is to be handed to the ride-on buggy driver for his/her information.

Upton Golf Club General Safe Working Practices For The Drivers Of Ride-On Buggies.

Upton Golf Club and the Club Professional accept no liability to the hirer or any passengers carried in the buggy.

Golfers may use their own buggy on the course only with the permission of Upton Golf Club. A copy of the current certificate of insurance must be deposited with the Business Manager. Any buggy owner hiring or lending their buggy to another golfer must ensure that liability insurance is in place for that driver.
Where no track is available buggies must drive in the semi rough and may only cross the fairways using the 90 degree rule.
No person under the age of 17 is permitted to drive a buggy on land owned or leased by Upton Golf Club Limited.
Social Play: A buggy may only carry the number of occupants that it is designed for (two maximum) and only the equipment /bags of those occupants.
Competition Play: A medical exemption is required from any Golfer to use a buggy in any competition. An extra set of clubs may be carried provided that:

The buggy is designed to carry more than one set of clubs.
The player whose clubs are being carried walks the course at all times.

Do not cross white lines directing traffic flow.
No buggy should be driven onto tee areas or within 10 yards of any green, Apron,

bunkers or grassy mound.

Buggies must park on the track at holes 1, 4, 7, 14, 17 and 18.
Do not drive around the back of any Greem.
No person must drive a buggy under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

All buggy drivers must strictly observe the following directions - Buggies must not cross over approaches/temporary greens and keep off collars of greens summer and winter.

Hole 1 – Drive buggies sown the rough to the Right of the Fairway

Hole 2 – Take extreme care while crossing the public highway between the 1st Green and 2nd Tee and between the 3rd Green and 4th Tee.

Hole 3 – Pass the to the Right Hand Side of the 2nd Tee when driving back to the 4th Tee.

Hole 4 - Buggies must use the path to the right and must not drive up the fairway.

Hole 6 – Buggies must use the path to the right and must not drive up the fairway.

Hole 7 – Park Buggies by the Greenkeepers Building and walk to the 7th Green

Hole 14 - Buggies must travel on the Rough to the left of the fairway and then on the path

Hole 15 – Park buggies to the right of the tree in front of the 15th green.

Hole 16 – Leave buggies by the same tree and walk back to the 16th Tee

Hole 17 – Park Buggies to the left of the Green on the path.

Hole 18 - Leave buggies on the path and walk back to the 18th Tee

Exit the course to the right of the 18th green into the car park.

NOTE; When the course is in play buggies may be banned for health & safety reasons and to protect the course