Golf Buggy Policy

Wychwood Park Buggy Use Policy

Introduction

This policy identifies the main hazards that members and visitors to Wychwood Park may encounter while using a golf buggy.

It does not contain a definitive list of hazards, as by the very nature of a golf course and its terrain, Golfers are advised to have personal insurance when visiting the resort.

It is accepted that a golf course and its facilities are naturally subject to variable weather conditions. This policy will outline some of these conditions and explain how Wychwood Park shall take reasonable steps and precautions to prevent incidents and accidents to its customers, staff, and visitors to the resort whilst using a ride on buggies.

Wychwood Park 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 Wychwood Park to provide adequately safe means of access for all golfers including those given permission to use buggies. Moreover, the Resort must ensure the safety of golfers who do not wish to use ride-on buggies, but who might be at risk from careless use. This duty of care also applies to members of the public using the various rights of way.

To assist the safe employment of ride-on buggies all potential users (Members, and visitors) 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 always afforded the right-of-way.
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 to cause unacceptable wear and tear to the course, must be always followed.
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 buggy operators will be responsible for the security of ignition keys for the period that the buggy is on the property owned by the Wychwood Park
5. Wychwood Park 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 staff. Wychwood Park 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 its staff.
6. No ride-on buggy will be operated at a speed considered excessive. All speed limits that may be set must be observed.
7. Ride-on buggies shall be used only when the courses are open for play and when no essential buggy prohibition is in force.
8. 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.
9. Operators must stop the buggy at road crossing points, blind intersections and proceed with caution.
10. The Golf Operations Manager, Course Manager, or a member of the golf team 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 Golf Operations Manager.

Safe Working Practice

• Ride-on buggy operators must not be under the influence of alcoholic drinks or drugs.

• Children under the age of 18 are not allowed to drive the ride-on buggy.

Buggy Restrictions

Wychwood Park staff may determine that the state of the courses 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 are listed below under ‘Adverse Weather/Conditions’. Where such conditions arise, Course Manager or his staff will review the situation.

When access is restricted, disabled golfers will be permitted to use a buggy on part or all the course (this will be determined by the course staff), on the receipt of evidence of their disability (within the meaning of section 6 of The Equality Act 2010) and must be able to show evidence of third-party liability insurance or they may be refused access to the courses. Disabled golfers are advised to check the course status before their visit.

Privately owned buggies

Privately owned buggies are for the sole use of the owner only and under no circumstance are they to be lent or hired out to third parties.

All private buggy owners must be over 18 years of age and hold a full valid driving license.

All private buggy owners must have a valid insurance policy providing cover for third party risk and take responsibility that the buggy is in a safe condition to operate.

Users of privately owned buggies do so entirely at their own risk. Wychwood Park will not accept liability for any loss or damage to privately owned buggies or any other property arising from the negligence of the buggy user.

Privately owned buggies cannot be stored or left overnight at any Wychwood Park.

Before use:

• All operators of ride-on buggies must sign a Buggy Hire Agreement 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.

• In particular, standing on the back of a buggy is expressly forbidden.

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 be always kept inside the buggy 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 absolutely not be used on tees, greens or the slopes leading up to them

• The vehicle may not be driven into deep rough area areas

• The vehicle must not be used within 2 metres of any bunkers, ditches or ponds or slopes leading to them except when using the 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 severe slopes

• Slow down before corners

• All turns must be executed at reduced speeds

• 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 make sure the parking brake is engaged.

Checklist for users of ride-on buggies

Know the controls and how to use them

• Ignition switch and immobiliser key

• Accelerator

• Footbrake

• Parking brake – Set the brake before leaving the ride-on buggy

• Reversing Control

Conditions for Buggy Use

• Ride-on buggies can only be used for the number of occupants it was designed to carry and by those authorised to do so.

• There must be always a maximum of 2 occupants and ABSOLUTELY no standing on the back of a buggy.

• Ride-on buggies must stay on maintenance tracks when requested

• The vehicle must not be driven up and down the course when looking for golf balls

• The vehicle must not be used on tees, greens, surrounds or slopes leading up to them

• The vehicle must not be used within 2 metres of, or on the slopes leading to any bunkers, ponds, or ditches (except when crossing designated bridges)

• The vehicle may not be driven into heather areas

• 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 buggies straight up and down slopes

• Slow down before corners.

• All turns must be executed at reduced speeds

• Avoid sudden stops or change of direction that may result in loss of control

Adverse Weather/Conditions

• Snow

• Ice

• Frost

• Surface water

• Waterlogging

• Heavy rain

• Uneven ground

• New construction

• New construction recovery areas

• Heather or Gorse

• Sites of Special Scientific Interest

• Any other condition designated by the Course Manager or Golf Operations Manager

Section 6 of the Equality Act 2010

(1) A person (P) has a disability if—

(a) P has a physical or mental impairment, and

(b) the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on P's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

LEVELS OF GOLF COURSE RESTRICTIONS

Level of restriction will be determined by the Course Manager or a member of his team. A daily course inspection will determine the level of restriction.

GREEN

• No restrictions.

AMBER

• All golf trolleys fitted with winter wheels can be used for general use.
• All ride on buggies are prohibited for general use.
• A disabled golfer with a medical certificate can have the use of a resort buggy for a limited number of holes. The user must provide a receipt of evidence of their disability (within the meaning of section 6 of The Equality Act 2010) and must be able to show evidence of third-party liability insurance.
• Amber route holes 1-2-3-4-5-6-9-10-11-12-13-14-17 or as many as deemed fit by the greens team. Restricted buggy route must be followed.

RED

• All golf trolleys fitted with winter wheels can be used for general use.
• Golfers who provide written proof of injury from a medical professional, may use a push/pull trolley and in extreme cases, qualified by a medical professional, an electric trolley could also be used. In such cases winter wheels would be advised.
• All written forms of proof of injury must be dated within the 12 months of the commencement of the ban.
• All forms of ride on buggies are prohibited for general use.
• A disabled golfer with a medical certificate can have the use of a resort buggy for a limited number of holes. The user must provide a receipt of evidence of their disability (within the meaning of section 6 of The Equality Act 2010) and must be able to show evidence of third-party liability insurance.
• Winter Route holes 11-12-17 or as many as deemed fit by the greens team. Restricted buggy route must be followed.

RESTRICTED COURSE BUGGY ROUTES

There will always be some form of access to the golf course for golfers that have a disability and need the use of a golf buggy. Dependant on the weather and ground conditions it may not be possible to access the full golf course. In this circumstance, the Course Manager and his team will make a certain number of holes available for use. When playing these holes, the buggy user must follow the directions set out below so to always keep themselves and others safe. Buggies must not stray from these areas and golfers must use the 90-degree rule if your ball is on the opposite side of the fairway.

When skipping holes priority should be given to the group/s playing the previous hole.

1^st Hole

When leaving the cart path from the tee, stay to the right-hand side of the semi rough. Continue to keep to the right-hand side down the hole. Please keep the buggy at least 30 yards away from the greens.

2^nd Hole

Keep to the cart path.

3^rd Hole

Keep to the right-hand side of the fairway/semi rough until you pass the fairway bunkers. Then exit the hole to the left-hand side. Please keep the buggy at least 30 yards away from the greens.

4^th Hole

Keep to the right-hand side of the entire hole. Please keep the buggy at least 30 yards away from the greens.

5^th Hole

Keep to the left-hand side of the fairway/semi rough, moving over to the right-hand side as you approach the fairway bunkers 80 yards short of the green. Please keep the buggy at least 30 yards away from the greens.

6^th Hole

Keep to the cart path.

To miss holes 7&8, when travelling on the path on the 6^th hole continue over the 7^th hole wooden walkway. Go straight on up toward the trees opposite. Keep to the left-hand side of the 8^th green and you will arrive at the 9^th tee complex.

9^th Hole

Keep to the left-hand side of the fairway/semi rough, moving over to the right-hand side as you approach the green to pick up the cart path on the right-hand side of the green. Park the cart on the path.

10^th Hole

Keep to the left-hand side of the fairway/semi rough keeping a distance away from the pond. Continue to keep to the left-hand side of the fairway/semi rough. Please keep the buggy at least 30 yards away from the greens.

11^th Hole

Keep to the cart path.

12^th Hole

When leaving the cart path from the tee, cross the bridge and stay to the right-hand side of the semi rough/fairway. Continue to keep to the right-hand side down the hole. Move over to the left-hand side once you approach the bridge and pick up the cart path. Park the buggy on the path.

13^th Hole

When leaving the cart path from the tee, stay to the right-hand side of the semi rough/fairway until you need to cross the bridge. Once crossed again stay to the right-hand side of the fairway. Keep the buggy at least 30 yards away from the greens.

14^th Hole

Keep to the right-hand side of the fairway/semi rough, cross the bridge to continue towards the right side of the hole. Do not cross either bridge. On completion of the hole, take the path back towards the 13^th tee complex.

17^th Hole.

Keep to the cart path.

On completion of the 17^th hole. You must return to the clubhouse by retracing your path back to the 12^th hole, back up the cart path on 11 and then back down the 10^th hole. The same path as was taken when playing those holes.

Please give way to golfers playing these holes. Please also be aware of passing vehicles when at the crossing points.