BUGGY DISCLAIMER

PLEASE READ BEFORE SIGNING:

Introduction

The purpose of this document is to establish a standard for the safe operation of all buggies operated at the Club. The document also sets down the criteria to be applied and conditions to be met when the Club considers applications for their use either from Members or members of the public wishing to use their own at the Club.

Qualification

Any person who chooses to operate a 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 buggies on the course requires care and adherence to the minimum standard prescribed by this policy. Buggies must be operated in accordance with the requirements of the following instructions:

General Use

You must follow written and/or verbal instructions where the buggies may or may not travel. Buggies can only be used for a maximum of two persons and two sets of golf clubs.

Use in General Play and Competitions

Buggies may be used during general, closed and open competitions unless stated.

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 and visitors) shall comply with the following conditions:

Buggies on Horsley Lodge Golf Club property are only for the use of members and visitors. 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.

Horsley Lodge Golf Club use Electric Powered Golf Buggies. Operation of these buggies is as follows:

Ignition Switch is located to the side front of the Steering Wheel. Turn to the Right to activate power. Behind your right leg, situated in a central position at the front of the seat unit is a Switch. This Switch has three positions – Reverse, Forward and Neutral (centre position). There are two pedals. The right pedal operates the accelerator and the left pedal operates the Brake and Parking Brake. Do not press both pedals at the same time. Use individually for accelerating and braking. The Parking Brake is operated as follows – You will see an additional pedal section at the top left of the brake pedal. Top apply the parking brake; press the pedal down whilst angling your foot to depress this smaller pedal. If applied correctly the whole pedal will remain down. To dis-engage the Parking Brake you gently press the Accelerator Pedal only.

The signs 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.

Buggy operators will be responsible for the security of ignition keys for the period that the buggy is in their hire. Buggies are not permitted to be driven outside the boundary (including the practice range) of the Club and not to be taken on the Public Highway. The Club will accept no responsibility for any loss or damage caused to any person or property if a buggy is driven outside the boundary of the Club. Horsley Lodge Golf Club has no responsibility for ensuring the safe operation of buggies beyond the confines of the course and the club car- parks other than those operated by their servants or agents.

Buggy Safe Working Practice

Essential

Buggy operators must not be under the influence of alcoholic drinks or drugs. Never allow

children to drive a buggy. Only persons aged 16 years and over that hold a current

Provisional or full Driving Licence for either a motorcycle or car may operate a buggy.

Before Use

All operators of buggies must sign a Hire Form before they are allowed to drive the buggy. New members to the Club and members renewing their membership will be considered to

have signed and understood the conditions of buggy use at Horsley Lodge Golf Club by signing their membership application and renewal form.

During Use

Ride-on buggies must not be used on the areas of the course where prohibitive signs are placed. The vehicle must not be driven on tees and greens. They are not  to be driven within

thirty yards of the approach to the green. When approaching the green please drive the buggy into the rough and not on the closely mown greens surround.

The buggy should not be driven near or on the edge of ponds, streams and bunkers except when crossing designated points or bridges. 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.

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 slowing 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 you have finished using the buggy please turn the operating key to the off position,

remove the key and engage the parking brake returning the key to Reception.

Key Points

Only the signatories may be in control of the Golf Car at any time.

The Club does not accept liability for damage or personal injury to any passenger, or other persons whilst the Golf Car is in the care or control of the hire/s.

The hire/s of the Golf Car shall be liable for any damage (including the Golf Car) or injury caused by negligent operation.

The Golf Cars shall only be used within the designated areas of the golf club.

The Golf Cars shall only be used to carry two persons and two golf bags maximum.

Immediately on completion of the rental period for the Golf Car shall be returned to the collection point and the key handed back to the Pro Shop.

Any damage or incident must be reported to an official of the club immediately.

No one under the age of 21 may hire or operate a buggy.

The hirer will adhere to any restrictions imposed by the club and follow the designated buggy route.

Disability

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 the below policy is to establish a standard for the safe operation of all ride-on buggies operated at Horsley Lodge GC. The policy also sets down the criteria to be applied and conditions to be met when the Club considers applications for buggy use:

Aim of Policy

1.1  This Policy is the Buggy Policy referred to in Horsley Lodge GC Course Policy Document. It sets out the circumstances in which golf buggies may be used in general play and events organised and managed by Horsley Lodge GC.

1.2  Horsley Lodge GC wishes to encourage the participation in golf of all players regardless of disabilities. This Policy is in accordance with Horsley Lodge GCs obligations under the Equality Act 2010.

Definitions

2.1 “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.

2.2 Any reference to “golf buggy” shall include any vehicle deemed to be a golf buggy by Horsley Lodge LTD.

2.3 Any reference to “Committee” shall refer to Horsley Lodge GC Committee or the Horsley Lodge LTD Management which has responsibility for taking a decision on the use of a golf buggy and “member of the Committee” shall be construed accordingly.

2.4 “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 or caddie is suffering from a disability.

Persons who may use a golf buggy

3.1  It shall be a condition of any competition organised by Horsley Lodge GC that players must walk at all times during a stipulated round, unless permitted to use a golf buggy by a member of the Committee, in accordance with this policy. The penalty for a breach of this condition is detailed under the Specimen Condition on page 142 of the English edition of the 2012-15 Rules of Golf as published by R&A Rules Limited.

3.2  A golf buggy may be used by a player or caddie who can provide a valid current medical certificate of disability in accordance with this policy and has requested permission to use a golf buggy by the closing date for any competition they seek to enter or in which they seek to caddie. Where the disability prevents the player from driving the buggy, he/she may nominate a third party to drive the buggy for them who must be approved by the Committee in the event that permission is granted.

3.3  The Committee may not without good reasons refuse a request for permission to use a golf buggy if the criteria in paragraph 3.2 are met.

3.4  Where a player is under the age of 18 years and has met the criteria in paragraph 3.2, above, a member of the Committee shall reserve the right to specify that the golf buggy is driven by another person of that Committee member’s choice, in the event that a person having parental responsibility for the player is unable or not competent or qualified to do so.

3.5 In cases where a member of the Committee or an officer of Horsley Lodge GC refuses to permit the use of a golf buggy then they shall inform the player of the decision, the reasons for it, and the right to appeal this refusal to the Appeals Committee in accordance with this Policy.

Conditions in which use of a golf buggy may be permitted

4.1 Where a determination is made that the use of a buggy may be permitted by a player or where appropriate a caddie or third party to use a golf buggy, a member of the Committee 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; and
(d) Any other relevant considerations which could impede the safe use of a golf buggy or impact on the safety of others.

4.2 In the event that a member of the Committee or an officer of Horsley Lodge GC believes that for reasons of health and safety a golf buggy should not be used by players, caddies or third parties at a particular time he/they may:

(a) Refuse to grant permission for the use of a golf buggy, and shall inform the player, caddie or third party 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;

4.3 It will in any event be a requirement of any player, caddie or other third party granted permission to use a buggy to complete and sign a Buggy Consent form in The Professional Shop prior to use.

Conditions for use of golf buggies

5.1 A player, caddie or other third party permitted to use a golf buggy must agree to the following terms and conditions of use:
(a) Any person operating a golf 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) The Committee may require that a golf buggy must not exceed walking pace and/or must not have a covered roof;

(c) A golf buggy shall be for the sole use of the player and his/her equipment, unless a member of the Committee has deemed that for reason of age or disability a third party is required to drive the golf buggy;

(d) A golf buggy must not impede or interfere with normal pedestrians or vehicular traffic flow on roadways, ramps and pavements;

(e) A player who has been granted permission to use a golf buggy (or any caddie or other third party who has been permitted to drive the golf buggy) must remain seated in the golf buggy at all times while the vehicle is in motion;

(f) Drivers of golf buggies must comply with directional signs and the detailed map found in the buggy for access to the 1st and 10th tees and not use prohibited areas including public highways and pavements;

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

5.2 Failure to agree to the terms and conditions contained in clause 5.1 by signing a Buggy Policy Consent Form may result in the player, caddie or other third party being denied permission to use a golf buggy.

Appeals Procedure

6.1  Any decision by a Committee Member refusing a player or caddie permission to use a golf buggy may be appealed by the player or caddie to the Appeals Committee which shall comprise of three members of Horsley Lodge GC Committee.

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

6.3  The Appeals Committee shall make a decision on an appeal and communicate it to the player or caddie within 10 working days of the initial appeal.

Whilst a buggy for a disabled golfer cannot be guaranteed, disabled golfers will be given priority when making such bookings. It should be stressed that more favourable treatment of a disabled person is not unlawful within the Act (S.13 (3)). However, as the law presently stands, a club is under no circumstances required to provide a buggy free of charge to a disabled golfer.

This is to certify that I/we have been instructed in, or am otherwise knowledgeable of, all operation procedures and safety precautions required in the operation of the Golf Car which I/we have been assigned. I/we hereby indemnify the club from any and all liability that may result from my/our operation of this car.

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