Buggy Policy - Whitehaven Golf Club

Introduction

Whitehaven 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. This document lays out the minimum criteria to be applied and the conditions that must be met by anyone who wishes to make use of a motorised ride-on buggy.

Users of Ride-On Golf Buggies:

Users of Whitehaven GC club owned buggies hired or otherwise
Users of privately owned ride-on golf buggies.
Ride-on buggies used by able bodied golfers
Ride-on buggies used by those who requirements necessitate the use of motorised ride-on buggy to navigate the course. This can be a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010* or those who are not officially recognised as being disabled but require vehicle assistance to play a round of golf.

*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 has to 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 never the less need the help provided by a motorised ride-on buggy to play golf.

Criteria for Ride-On Buggy Use

Drivers of the ride-on buggy must be over 17 years of age.
Drivers need to hold a full UK driving license for a motor vehicle.
Privately owned ride-on buggies users must have a current/valid Insurance Policy and a copy made available to the club secretary.
Whitehaven GC reserves the right to prohibit the use of privately owned ride-on golf buggies and withdraw the authorisation to use of a ride-on buggy if the criteria changes at any time. Eg. Disability changes, license is not provided.
Any person wishing to use one of Whitehaven GC’s ride-on buggies may be asked to demonstrate they have the knowledge, training and skill to safely operate the ride on buggy. They need to be aware they are fully accountable for their actions and the consequences thereof.
Whitehaven GC has a duty of care to the all members as well as members of the public who may be on the course.

Ride-On golf Buggy Safety Policy

Whitehaven Golf Club has a duty of care to its employees and all users of the golf course. Caution and care must be be shown by all users of the ride-on buggies. It is also necessary for the Club to provide adequately safe means of access for all the 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. This duty of care also applies to members of the public walking on the Course or otherwise.To assist the safe employment of ride-on buggies, all potential users (members and visitors) 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 other course users. Pedestrians must be afforded the right-of-way at all times.
The signs and instructions employed on the Course and within the Driver Route Guidelines, warn buggy users of potential danger areas or areas forbidden for ride-on buggies because of concerns over danger or the potential to cause unacceptable wear and tear to the Course, these signs must be followed at all times.
Whitehaven GC has 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 the manufacturer’s recommended speed limit. All speed limits must be observed where applicable.
Ride-on buggies must be operated in compliance with the common rules of the road.
Twin seated buggies should only be used by two occupants with their own equipment.
Operators must stop the buggy at blind intersections with paths and roadways and always proceed with caution. Extreme care to be taken when travelling along or crossing public highways. They must also follow all buggy signs on the Course.
The consumption of alcohol and/or the improper use of drugs are not permitted when using a ride-on buggy.
Western Lakes Ltd or the Committee 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 in writing to the Committee.

Essential and Safe Conditions of Use for the ride-on buggy

Ride-on buggies must only be used by those authorised by Whitehaven GC or Western Lakes Ltd.
Users must know the controls and how to use them; ignition and immobilisation key, accelerator foot brake, parking brake and reverse control
All users or personal ride-on buggies must sign an Acknowledgement Form before they are allowed to use their buggy on the course.
A ride-on buggy shall only be used by the number of occupants it was designed to carry and only by people who are authorised to use it.
Ride-on buggy operators will be responsible for the security of ignition keys for the period that the buggy is used.
Whitehaven GC staff may have the need to move any ride-on buggy left unattended at the Club, due to an emergency situation, safety issue or logistical issue. Therefore, users of privately owned buggies should be aware that the club may move or remove the buggy without permission, and without recourse.
All users should note their will be times when buggies may be prohibited in certain areas of the course. These restrictions must strictly adhered to.
All users of ride-on buggies must travel on the designated buggy paths and/or the semi rough.
If the ride-on buggy is approaching a ball on the fairway they should drive down the designated path and approach their ball at 90 degrees right angle and then return to the semi-rough / path.
Do not move off until all occupants are seated and remain seated whilst travelling.
Ride-on buggies should not be driven up and down excessively as in the action of looking for golf balls so the course is protected.
Ride-on buggies must not be used on greens or close to bunkers.
Users should always take extra care when reversing – checking the terrain and any obstacles.
The Parking Brake should always be set when leaving the vehicle and if left unattended for a period of time the operating key should be in the off position and the key removed as necessary.
All users need to be vigilant and be aware of the topography of the course, predestining traffic, weather conditions to ensure the vehicle is operated safely, including slowly down before cornering.
Users should avoid sudden stops and change of direction.
Users should be aware that ride-on buggies manoeuvrability will change depending on the course conditions e.g. muddy or wet areas of the course.
Users should take care when driving over bridges.

On Completion of a Round of Golf

All users need to ensure the Ride-On Buggy is left and secured safely. This includes:

Personal Ride -on Buggies immobilised and left in a safe place
Whitehaven GC buggies being returned to the designated area, the buggy immobilised and any rubbish removed. Keys need to be returned promptly to Reception.

Course Topography and Considerations and Restrictions.

The topography of certain areas of the Whitehaven Golf Club Course is such that caution and prudence must be shown by the user of a ride-on buggy. Also, from time to time the Whitehaven Golf Club 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. Buggy users must abide by safety decisions made by the Club regarding buggy use.
Prior to use, each user must ensure that they are aware of existing or new potentially hazardous areas on the Course by reference to on course signage or notices in the golfers corridor.
Ride-on buggies must be operated with the utmost courtesy, care and consideration for the safety of pedestrians. Pedestrians must be afforded the right-of-way at all times. Users must give way to any vehicles on the road the runs across the 1^st fairway.
In general we expect everyone who uses a motorised ride-on buggy at Whitehaven Golf Club to operate it in a common sense fashion, fully respecting the Course and all those around them.
Anyone causing unnecessary damage to the buggy or Course environs will have their right to use a buggy withdrawn forthwith.

Winter Conditions

During the period when Preferred Lies are in operation it is advisable for ride-on buggy users:

Travel on the designated paths.
Park on the path and walk to their ball,
If a ride-on buggy user is unable to walk to their ball due to their disability then please be vigilant and do not travel on the same route twice so avoiding excess damage to the course.
Common sense and initiative should prevail at all time to a)ensure all users are safe and b) the course is protected.

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 Whitehaven Golf Club.
Buggies must be operated with the utmost common sense, courtesy, care and consideration for the safety and convenience of pedestrians. Pedestrians have the right of way at all times.
Users of buggies will be responsible for the security of the ignition keys for the period of time that the buggy is in their use on club property.
All users must pay a key deposit prior to buggy use.
Any signage referring to buggy direction/ prohibition must be adhered to at all times.
Whitehaven Golf Club has no responsibility for ensuring the safe operation of buggies on or beyond the confines of the course and the Club grounds other than those operated by their servants and agents. The club will accept no responsibility for any loss or damage caused to any property other that that arising from the negligent use of a buggy by their servants or agents.