RIDE-ON BUGGY POLICY

Use of Ride-on Buggies on 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. The purpose of this document is to establish a standard for the safe operation of all ride-on buggies operated on the course at Baxenden & District 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.

Qualifications

Use of a ride-on buggy will not be allowed unless authorised by the Club and will be restricted to members, visitors and guests demonstrably having a genuine incapacity to play golf unless aided by the use of the buggy. (See also ‘Use in General Play and Competitions` below).

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:

Golf 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 Club Secretary/Manager or their approved nominee must, whenever possible, 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 also 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 Club staff 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. 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 twice daily basis.

Use in General Play and Competitions.

During general (non-competition) play, a ride-on buggy shall only be used by disabled 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

Golf Buggy Safety Policy

 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. 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, visitors and guests) shall comply with the following conditions:

 1. Ride-on buggies on Baxenden & District Golf Club property are only for the use of members and visitors who are disabled within the meaning of the Equality Legislation.

 2. 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.

 3. The use of Ride-on buggies must at all times be in compliance with the 90° rule, that is to say that all buggies must be driven parallel to the fairways through the semi-rough until reaching the position of the ball. The Ride-on buggy may then be driven to within 2 metres of the ball for the purpose of continuous play, followed by returning to the semi-rough for onward progression around the course.

 4. 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 followed at all times.

 5. 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.

 6. 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.

 7. Baxenden & District Golf Club 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.

 8. No ride-on buggy will be operated in excess of 15km per hour. All speed limits must be observed.

 9. Ride-on buggies shall be used only between dawn and dusk.

 10. 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.

 11. Operators must stop the buggy at blind intersections and proceed with caution.

 12. The consumption of alcohol and/or the improper use of drugs is not permitted when using the ride-on buggy.

The Secretary/Green Keeper have 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 Club.

Safe Working Practice

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

- Never allow children to drive the ride-on buggy unsupervised by an adult.

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 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 or the slopes leading up to them

- 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 engage the parking brake.