Buggy Policy

confirming that they are unable to play a full round of golf without the use of a buggy. This should be presented to the Clubs Competition Secretary in advance for his authorisation. Those suffering from a disability within the meaning of section 6 of The Equality Act 2010 must register with the Club Competition Secretary a medical certificate signed by a registered General Practitioner confirming that they are unable to play a full round of golf without the use of a buggy. This dispensation applies solely to the disabled player and any “able bodied playing partners” are strictly forbidden to utilise this facility.

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 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 buggies but who might be at risk from a mechanically defective buggy or its careless use.

To assist the safe employment of buggies all potential users (members, visitors and guests) shall comply with the following conditions:

1. All buggies on St Austell Golf Club property are only for the use of members, green fee paying visitors, entrants in competitions or other person so authorised by either the Club Committee or the Steward.
2. All buggies must be operated with the utmost courtesy, care and consideration for the safety and convenience of other golfers and pedestrians.
3. The signs, winter buggy plan and instructions employed on the course to warn buggy riders of potential danger areas or, areas forbidden to buggies because of concerns about danger or, the potential to cause unacceptable wear and tear to the course, must be followed at all times.
4. All buggies must be operated and parked in such a manner that they do not impede or interfere with other golfers or pedestrians.
5. All buggy operators will be responsible for the security of the buggy for the period that the buggy is on the property owned by the Club.
6. St Austell Golf Club have no responsibility for ensuring the safe operation of buggies on or beyond the confines of the course 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 buggy by their servants or agents.
7. No buggy will be operated in excess of what is safe in the circumstances. All speed limits must be observed. When the ground is wet or muddy, the maximum permissible speed is walking pace. Operators must however ensure that they drive at the appropriate speed and in the appropriate manner for the prevailing conditions.
8. The times that buggies shall be used will be clearly shown on the 1st Tee area.
9. All buggies must be operated in compliance with the common` rules of the road` regardless of whether buggies are operated on pavements or roadways.
10. Operators must stop the buggy at blind intersections and proceed with caution.
11. The consumption of alcohol and/or the improper use of drugs are not permitted when using the buggy.
12. If in the opinion of an official of the club committee or Professional a person is in an unfit condition to use a buggy; they have the authority to immediately prohibit any such person from using or being carried on a ride–on buggy. A written report will be submitted to the Clubs

Management Committee. Application for reinstatement of permission can only be made to the Management Committee of the Club.

Golf Buggy Safe Working Practice / Conditions of Use

• All buggy operators must not be under the influence of alcoholic drinks or drugs
• St Austell Golf Club never allows children to drive the any type of buggy.
• Persons driving a buggy must be over 18 years of age and hold a full valid driving license.

Persons using a privately owned buggy must provide a copy of a valid certificate of insurance providing cover for third party risk of at least £1M cover to the secretary’s office.

Before use

• All operators of buggies, including privately owned buggies and ride on buggies, must sign a Safety Policy Acknowledgement form before they are allowed to drive the buggy
• All buggies 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
• Buggies must not be driven in prohibited areas as listed on the Course route plan.
• 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 20 metres of any green, bunker, ditch, pond or slopes
• leading to them except when using the designated bridges or paths
• Between green and bunkers
• Check the area behind the vehicle before reversing
• Always 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 or icy.

After Use

When the vehicle is left unattended please make sure that turn the parking brake is engaged, operating key is in the off position and the key removed from the ignition.
After use return the buggy to the buggy park as instructed.

Members Only- Buggy Return Policy

If when returning the buggy and the professional is unavailable then its is the hirers responsibility to make sure the buggy is parked in the covered buggy garage ensuring that it is plugged into the recharging socket and locked securely and the key is deposited in the appropriate place. If you are the last buggy to be returned (as indicated on the buggy notice board) then please close and lock securely the buggy garage, checking that all buggies are locked away securely. Failure to comply with the buggy return policy may result in a ban for the hirer from further buggy hire.

Private Owned Buggies

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

• All private buggy owners must be over 17 years of age and hold a full valid driving license.
• All private buggy owners must provide a copy of a valid certificate of insurance providing cover for third party risk of at least £1,000,000 (one million pounds) and annual certification of servicing showing that the buggy is in good working order.
• Users of privately owned buggies do so entirely at their own risk.

St Austell Golf Club will not accept liability for any loss or damage to the privately owned buggies or any other property arising from the negligence of the Club or any of its servants or agents

DISABILITY POLICY

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 or single seater buggy. The purpose of the below policy is to establish a standard for the safe operation of all types of ride-on buggies operated at St Austell Golf Club . The policy also sets down the criteria to be applied and conditions to be met when the Golf Club considers applications for buggy use:

Aim of Policy

• This Policy is the St Austell Golf Clubs Buggy Policy. It sets out the circumstances in which golf buggies may be used in general play and competitive events at St Austell Golf Club.
• St Austell Golf Club wishes to encourage the participation in golf of all players regardless of disabilities. This Policy is in accordance with St Austell Golf Clubs obligations under the Equality Act 2010.

Definitions

“Disability” shall have the same meaning as the Equality Act 2010. A person has a disability if he/she has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his/her ability to carry out normal day to day activities.

Any reference to “golf buggy” shall include any vehicle deemed to be a golf buggy (two-seater) by St Austell Golf Club.

Any reference to “single seater buggy” shall include a bespoke single occupancy buggy owned by an individual golfer playing the course.

Any reference to St Austell Golf Club shall refer to the Green keepers, Secretary, Professional or Greens committee members whom have responsibility for taking a decision on the use of a golf buggy.

“Valid medical confirmation of disability” shall mean a valid medical certificate from a registered general practitioner or consultant registered with the Health Professions Council that the player is suffering from a disability. Out of date disability certificates will not be acceptable.

Players who may use a golf buggy

A golf buggy or single seater buggy may be used by a player who can provide a valid current medical certificate of disability in accordance with this policy and has requested permission to use a golf buggy from the secretary’s office.

Conditions in which use of a golf buggy may be permitted

Where a determination is made that the use of a buggy or a single seater buggy may be permitted by a player, St Austell Golf Club shall have regard to the following additional health and safety considerations before granting approval:

(a) Any relevant weather conditions.
(b) The topography and ground conditions.
(c) The condition of and suitability of the golf buggy.
(d) Any other relevant considerations which could impede the safe use of a golf buggy or impact on the safety of others.

In the event after carrying out a risk assessment that St Austell Golf Club believes that for reasons of health and safety a golf buggy or single seater buggy should not be used by players at a particular time he/they may:

(a) Refuse to grant permission for the use of a golf buggy or single seater buggy, and shall inform the player of this decision; or

(b) Revoke any such permission in the event of new health and safety considerations having come to light since the granting of the initial permission to use a golf buggy;

It will in any event be a requirement of any player granted permission to use a buggy or single seater buggy to complete and sign a Buggy Consent form in the professional golf shop reception prior to use.

Conditions for use of golf buggies

A player permitted to use a golf buggy must agree to the following terms and conditions of use:

(a) Any person operating a golf buggy or single seater buggy must do so with the utmost courtesy, care and consideration for the safety and convenience of others and in accordance with any relevant golf buggy operating guidelines.

(b) St Austell Golf Club may require that a golf buggy or single seater buggy must not exceed walking pace and have a covered roof.

(c) A golf buggy or single seater buggy shall be for the sole use of the player and his/her equipment, unless St Austell Golf Club has deemed that for reason of age or disability a third party is required to drive the golf buggy.

(d) A golf buggy or single seater buggy must not impede or interfere with normal pedestrians or vehicular traffic flow on or around the car parks or on pathways or rights of way.

(e) A player who has been granted permission to use a golf buggy or single seater buggy must remain seated in the golf buggy at all times while the vehicle is in motion.

(f) Drivers of golf buggies or single seater buggy’s must comply with directional signs and any map or instructions found in the buggy or handed to the buggy user.

(g) A player who has been granted permission to use a golf buggy must accept responsibility for any losses or injury sustained as a result of his or her fault whilst using a golf buggy.

(h) Those players authorised to use a single seater buggy do so at their own risk.

(k) Privately owned single seater buggies are used at the sole responsibility and liability of the user. St Austell Golf Club accepts no liability for any damage, loss or injury whilst using a single seater buggy. The player is liable for any damage caused to property of St Austell Golf Club by a single seater buggy.

Failure to agree to the terms and conditions contained in above by signing a Buggy Policy Consent Form may result in the player or other third party being denied permission to use a golf buggy.

Appeals Procedure

6.1 Any decision by St Austell Golf Club refusing a player permission to use a golf buggy may be appealed by the player to the secretary’s office.

6.2 An appeal shall be made in writing to the Management Committee within 5 working days of the date of the initial decision. Any written appeal request shall also include a statement by the player of the reasons why he/she is seeking to appeal the decision.

6.3 The Management Committee shall make a decision on an appeal and communicate it to the player within 7 working days of the initial appeal.

Select to Download Buggy Policy

Select to Download Winter Buggy Path here...