Health & Safety on the course
Introduction
This document provides an assessment of the risks identified for players and staff while on the golf course at Elderslie Golf Club (EGC).
All members, visitors, staff and members of the public, whether golfing or not, are accessing the course strictly under their own judgement and at their own risk. In the case of an emergency, call the Pro Shop on 01505 320032 or the Emergency Services on 999.
- Players are expected to be aware at all times of danger to others and to themselves; care must be taken at all times to avoid accidents or injuries to oneself and to other players, officials, staff or members of the public.
- First aid boxes are kept in the office, kitchen, pro shop and greenkeepers’ portacabin.
- All accidents must be reported as soon as possible to the Managing Secretary or other club staff member for recording in the appropriate accident book.
- Fertilizers and insecticides are in frequent use on the course. Do not lick golf balls or fingers.
- Footwear: Ensure that you are wearing appropriate footwear designed for golf and that it is adequate for the weather conditions you are playing in – you have a responsibility to yourself to avoid slipping on slopes and other awkward places.
- Greenkeeping staff have priority at all times. Always ensure that they are aware of your presence before you play your shot. The Greenkeeping staff are instructed to signal to you when it is safe to play.
The Course
- As a general rule, players should not play a golf shot when there is a risk of endangering another player, member of the greens staff or a member of the public.
- On blind tee shots on the 7th, 14th, 15th holes golfers must be extra vigilant and not play a shot until they are sure the landing area is clear. Methods of ensuring these include the following:
- 7th hole: Wait until golfers reappear out of the lower area further up the hole, only then is it safe to hit.
- 14th hole: From the front red tee, golfers in front will ring the bell when out of range. Also, be aware of many golfers making their way from 17th green to 18th tee.
- 15th hole: From all tees, golfers in front will ring the bell when out of range. If you do not hear the bell, climb to the top of the hill and ensure that games are out of range before hitting.
When hitting from 14th tee please ensure that the 18th tee is clear before teeing off. When mounting 18th tee please be wary of any golfers teeing off from main 14th tee.
- Errant shots: If a deviant ball is heading at any time for another golfer, staff member or member of the public then shout FORE!
- Players should be extra vigilant when playing any hole that runs alongside or is adjacent to another hole.
- Players furthest round the course have priority when teeing off; other golfers should stand aside until it is clear to continue.
- Steep banks: Care is advised negotiating any and all steep banks around the course.
- Burns: Many burns are situated around the course, they can be deep and steep-sided so recovery of any balls from these burns is done so at your own risk.
- Steps: There are numerous steps around the course which may be slippery when wet or icy. Avoid, or step upon railway sleepers with extra caution.
- Out of Bounds: Players are advised not to retrieve balls that leave the boundary of the course.
- Be aware that adults, children and animals may inadvertently enter onto the course.
- The Greenkeeper’s Compound/Buildings: These are situated on the right-hand side of the 17th fairway These are a working area and players are advised to take care when retrieving balls or playing from adjacent areas.
Practice areas
There are four authorized practice areas at EGC. In all cases when using these please be careful that you are using these safe and not putting other golfers, staff members or members of the public at risk.
- The practice mat/net adjacent to the putting green.
- The practise putting green.
- The short game area located within the main practice ground between the blue stakes and the 4th approach and green. Under no circumstances hit shots to the short game practice green from beyond the blue stakes.
- The main practice ground located between the 1st fairway and the blue stakes at the short game area. Shots must only be hit directly away from the car park end straight up the length of the practice ground.
- No practice is permitted out with these areas.
- For the avoidance of doubt: Chipping is not allowed onto the practice putting green. Practice driving/iron shots from around the clubhouse is not permitted. Persons under the age of 13 must not use the main practice ground or short game area without appropriate adult supervision. Persons using the practice area are expected to be aware at all times of danger to others and to themselves. Care must be taken at all times to avoid accidents or injuries to oneself or others who may be present on the practice area. Please make sure that the area of the practice ground you are using is clear with due allowance for the possibility of an errant shot. Collecting practice balls while other golfers are using the practice area is done strictly at that person’s own risk. Errant shots: If a deviant ball is heading at any time for another golfer, staff member or member of the public then please shout FORE!
Suspension of play during official competitions
- Players must protect themselves in Health and Safety matters especially if there is a danger from lightning or fog when play must stop immediately.
- Rule 6-8 of the Rules of Golf makes it quite clear that a player is entitled to discontinue play if the player believes that there is a danger from fog/lightening.
- All players must adhere to the following Suspension of Play procedure.
- A suspension of play for a dangerous situation (e.g. lightening/fog) will be signalled by a prolonged single blast on the air horn operated from the Clubhouse. However, even if the air horn is not sounded and players believe that there is a real risk of, or danger from, lightning/fog, then players are entitled to proceed under the provision of Rule 6-8 and discontinue play.
- Resumption of play: two short blasts on the air horn will notify players when it is safe to resume play. No player shall resume play until the air horn has sounded.
Suspension during casual play
- Players have to proceed under Rule 6-8. This makes it the player’s own responsibility to discontinue play when, in his/her opinion, a danger from lightning or fog exists. It is unreasonable to expect the Club to monitor the course 24/7.
Inclement weather
Darkness, rain, fog, ice and lightning. During inclement weather, the fact that the course has not been officially closed does not warrant that it is fit for play. Therefore, members and visitors should themselves determine whether they consider it safe to play.
Course closure
Course closure will be decided by the Captain in conjunction with the Course Manager. As soon as the weather/course conditions improve, then the course will be reviewed with view to it being opened for play.
