Golf Ride-on-Buggy Safety Policy
Any person who operates a ride-on-Buggy (either their own personal Buggy or a Hire Buggy) is deemed by doing so, to have knowledge, training and skill to safely operate this vehicle and be fully accountable for their actions and the consequences thereof.
The safe operation of buggies on the course requires adherence to the minimum of care prescribed by this policy.
Buggies must be operated in accordance with the requirements of the following sections of the policy and all operators should sign a declaration to confirm adherence.
The Club reserves the right to withdraw authorisation if a medical condition or disability necessitating the use of a Buggy ceases, or if the conditions of this policy are not fully complied with if a visitor or member is hiring a Buggy from the Club Professional.
From time to time the Green staff 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 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 a regular basis. Where a Buggy or buggies have been booked as part of a visiting party, the Club staff will make best endeavours to communicate with the hirer before their game. However this may not always be possible, and all visitors should check our social media pages for updates on the day of play.
Use in general play and competitions
During general play a Buggy can be used by members, visitors and guests.
• 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 buggies all potential users (members, visitors and guests) shall comply with the following conditions –
o Buggies must be operated with the utmost courtesy, care and consideration for the safety and convenience of pedestrians. Pedestrians must be given the right of way at all times.
o The signs and instructions employed on the course to warn and guide buggies must be followed and adhered to at all times.
o 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.
o 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.
o The Club have no responsibility for ensuring the safe operation of buggies on or beyond the confines of the course.
o No Buggy will be operated in excess of 15km per hour. All speed limits must be observed.
o Buggies shall only be used between dawn and dusk.
o Buggies must be operated in compliance with the common rules of the road at all times.
o Operators must stop the Buggy at blind junctions and proceed with caution.
Glencorse Golf Club V1 2019
o The consumption of alcohol and/or the use of drugs is not permitted when using a
Buggy.
o The Secretary, Club Professional, Greens Staff or any member of the Committee has
the authority to immediately prohibit any individual from using or being carried on a
Buggy. Application for reinstatement of permission can only be made through the
Committee.
o There must be in force an appropriate policy of insurance for the use of privately
owned buggies, such policy indemnifying the Club against any liability for its use.
o Never allow children to drive the Buggy.
Safe Working Practice
Before use
• All operators of buggies must sign a safety acknowledgment form before they are allowed to
drive the Buggy.
• A 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.
• 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 much not be used on tees, greens or the slopes leading to them. The vehicle
should not be used on any steep areas of the course, unless driving on a designated Buggy
path.
• The vehicle must not be used within 10 metres of any bunkers, ditches or burn 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 at
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 results 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 must be handed to the Buggy driver for their information and must be signed and dated.
The driver is responsible for keeping this paper with them for the duration of the Buggy hire.
Glencorse Golf Club General Safe Working Practices for the Drivers of Ride-on-Buggies
• Glencorse Golf Club and the Golf Professional accept no liability to hirer, owner or any passengers
carried in the Buggy.
• Golfers may use their own Buggy on the course only with the permission of Glencorse Golf Club. A
copy of the current certificate of insurance must be provided to the Secretary. Any Buggy owner
hiring or lending their Buggy to another golfer must ensure that liability insurance is in place for that
driver.
• Where no Buggy path 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 by Glencorse Golf Club.
• Social play & Competition Play: A Buggy may only carry the number of occupants that it is designed
for and only the equipment / bags of those occupants.
• Do not cross the white lines directing traffic flow.
• No Buggy should be driven onto tee areas or within 10 metres of any green, bunkers or grassy mound.
• No person must drive a Buggy under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• All drivers must strictly observe the following directions below – buggies must not cross over
approaches/temporary greens and keep off collars of greens in summer and winter.
Hole 2 – please approach the second tee using the path provided. Where possible park in a safe
position from the 1st green area.
Hole 3 – do not cross using the first bridge, continue straight on and walk back if necessary. Ensure
the path is used when driving to the 4th tee area.
Hole 5 – the path from the 5th top tee is steep. Please ensure you control your speed and cover the
break at all times. When approaching the green use the left hand side bridge.
Hole 7 – please use the path on the left approach to the green to access the 8th hole.
Hole 8 – please keep on the path and walk to the green and surrounding area.
Hole 9 – when teeing off please park the Buggy on the other side of the bridge, this ensures the area
is clear for any stray balls at the 8th hole.
Hole 10 – please use the Buggy path to the left to cross the ditch. When crossing the bridge at the
burn, head right to avoid the boundary of the green and any players on the 1st and 2nd holes.
Hole 13 – use the designated path to climb the hill.
Hole 14 – please avoid the left hand side of the fairway. This area is often wet and the tyres can
cause damage to the fairway and rough.
Hole 17 – this hole is narrow and close to the play of the 16th. Please ensure you are considerate
with any parking on this hole.
Hole 18 – please access the green via the path on the right hand side. The path on the left can be
dangerous as players on the 1st tee will be unable to see you. When putting on the 18th, please be
considerate to players on the 1st tee and park to the right hand side.
When exiting the course please give way to all players on the 1st tee. Please do not exit until the
tee is clear, and ensure you hang back until players have taken their shot.
Note: When the course is in play buggies may be banned for health & safety reasons and to
protect the course.