DGC Policies and Procedures

Buggy Policy –Procedures

Introduction

This document defines the requirements and responsibilities of Disley Golf Club and members/visitors regarding the use of ride on Buggies. The purpose of this document is to establish a standard for the safe operation of all Club and privately-owned ride on buggies operated on the course at Disley Golf Club. A copy of this Buggy Policy is available to all Members and Visitors on the Club website www.disleygolfclub.co.uk

Qualifications

During normal conditions the use of Club and privately-owned ride on buggies will be permitted for casual and competition golf as authorised by DGC Board.
Any person who accepts the privilege of operating 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.
At certain times the Greenkeepers / Club manager or Professional may determine that the general condition of the Course or the weather is such that personal 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, snow etc.
The Club also recognises the vast differences in weight and construction of different types of ride on buggy. As such, it may be the case that restrictions could be imposed on the larger and heavier two seat Club Car type buggies while single seat buggies are permitted on the golf course.
Information on Course & Buggy usage including Winter Routes will be available in the Pro Shop.
The Club will endeavour to ensure that restrictions placed on buggy users will be kept to a minimum.
The detailed procedures for use of Club and Private ride-on Buggies are listed below. These Policy Procedures are supported by a Golf Buggy Safety Policy, and Safe Working Practice Guide, Winter Buggy Routes plus a Course Risk Profile guide (which includes a Hole by Hole assessment).
When access is restricted, disabled golfers will be permitted to use a Buggy on the receipt of evidence of their disability (within the meaning of section 6 of The Equality Act 2010) and a copy of their third party liability insurance or they may be refused access to the Course. Disabled golfers are advised to check the Course status before their visit.

CLUB BUGGIES

The Pro Shop will be responsible for the day to day running of the Club Buggy hire and the following procedures must be observed:
• Club buggies must be stored overnight in the Buggy storage area.
• Club Buggies can be pre-booked by members and visitors.
• Each hired Buggy will be signed out by the shop staff.
• Prior to each Club Buggy being rented the person renting the buggy must sign a Buggy Rental Declaration and Waiver. Members will be required to sign this once in each calendar year – this will cover all rentals in that year.
• The Pro Shop will record all Club buggy hire details on the BRS on-line booking system.
• Buggies must be returned to the Pro Shop during normal opening hours. When the shop is closed the user must park the buggy in the buggy area under the balcony, returning the keys to the bar or the provided drop box.
• Any faulty buggy will be taken out of service and labelled “Out of Service unfit for use”.
PRIVATELY OWNED BUGGIES
• Privately owned buggies may not be hired for use on the course. All members with privately owned buggies must be in receipt of the Club’s Buggy Policy – Procedures, Golf Buggy Safety Policy, Golf Buggy Safe Working Practice Guide, and Buggy Course Risk Profile.
• All Members using their own private buggy on the golf course must have signed a Buggy Declaration and Waiver annually before they will be allowed to use their buggy on the course
• Privately owned buggies may have a second named driver associated with the buggy. That named driver must be specifically named on the insurance document & must have signed a Buggy Declaration and Waiver annually before they can use the buggy on the course
• Members must provide proof of having appropriate comprehensive insurance. Copies of the Member’s insurance policy must be submitted annually to the Club Office.
• Privately owned buggy users will be wholly responsible and liable to the club, members, visitors for any injury or damage to them or their property through use of the buggy.
• The Club will offer a limited storage area for privately owned buggies. Application for a space within the storage area must be made to the club manager. The Annual cost of a space will be £ for (including electric charging costs). When the storage area is full a waiting list will be maintained by the Club office.
• If a Member no longer requires the buggy space, ownership will return to the Club for allocation to the next Member on the waiting list.

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. The Club must 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 and visitors) shall comply with the following conditions:

• 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 always.
• 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 laneways or paved areas.
• Ride on buggy operators will be responsible for the security of ignition keys for the period that the buggy is hired or on the property owned by the Club.
• Ride on buggies shall be used only between dawn and dusk.
• Only the hirer of the buggy, having signed the Buggy Declaration and Waiver is permitted to drive the Buggy.
• Ride on buggies must be operated in compliance with the common rules of the road` regardless of whether they are operated on paved areas or laneways.
• Operators must stop the buggy at blind intersections and proceed with caution.
• The consumption of alcohol and/or the improper use of drugs is not permitted when using the ride-on buggy.
• Drive slowly downhill and set brake when stopped.
• No person under the age of seventeen (17) to operate a buggy.
• Club buggies must be driven within the boundaries of Disley Golf Club.
• Disley Golf Club has no responsibility for ensuring the safe operation of ride on buggies beyond the confines of the course and the club car-parks other than those operated by their servants or agents.
• Always follow Winter Buggy Routes when in operation
• Always drive buggy from tee to green. Do not drive in opposite direction as hazards can be hidden from view.

GOLF BUGGY SAFE WORKING PRACTICE GUIDE *

Disley Golf Club has carried out a Course Risk Profile for Ride on Buggy Users to ensure safe use of ride on buggies on the Golf Course. Before using a ride on buggy on the golf course, members and visitors must make themselves aware of the Buggy Policy Procedures, Winter Buggy Routes and the Course Risk Profile for Ride on Buggy Users these documents are available from the Club Office and the shop.

Before use
• All operators of ride on buggies must sign the Buggy Declaration & Waiver 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 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
• 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, switch off ignition, remove the key and engage the parking brake.

RIDE-ON BUGGY - COURSE TRAFFIC/ROUTE GUIDELINES *

Course Topography Considerations and Restrictions -

Due to the layout of Disley Golf Club consideration has and will continue to be given to the potentially hazardous nature of parts of the Golf Course.
Good separation must always be maintained between the buggy and Tees, Greens, Flowerbeds or any area of hazard such as streams and ponds.
The Course Risk Profile assessment document will assist Ride-on buggy users to understand the golf course layout and advise of the areas where they need to be careful or avoid completely.
We have introduced a Winter Buggy Route, with the aim to increase the days where Buggies can safely access the course or a limited set of holes within the course.
Green, Amber & Red daily notification will mean the following
Green – Buggies (club rental or privately owned) are permitted using the routes provided.
Amber – Per Green above but only members / visitors with medical certificates may use buggies (club rental or privately owned) on these days
Red – As per Amber however selected holes only may be open to use for buggies. The selection of holes which are not safe for use on the day, will be based on a Health & Safety Risk Assessment carried out on the day by the course manager / head greenkeeper or professional, using their detailed knowledge of the course, it’s topography and current ground conditions.
The Ride-on Buggy Safety Policy and Safe Working Practice documents should both be read in conjunction with the following Course Hole by Hole Risk Assessment Profile listed below.

RIDE-ON BUGGY COURSE RISK PROFILE FOR EACH HOLE / BUGGY ROUTE*

The general topography is one of undulations in the fairways. This is an ongoing feature of the course and care must be taken to drive slowly over these / avoid turning at sharp angles.

1st Hole – Low Risk – Keep the buggy on the path from the clubhouse to beyond the 1st tee. Beware of slope near the chimney. Keep the buggy to the right of the green. Do not take buggy on the greenside slope.

2nd Hole – Low Risk – Keep the buggy on the path from behind the 1st green to beyond the 2nd tee. Take care on the steep path.

3rd Hole – Medium Risk - Sloping of the fairway with undulations can make this challenging – be sure to moderate Speed and not turn sharply. Do not drive on the slope of the water hazard.

4th Hole – Medium Risk - Sloping of the fairway with undulations can make this challenging – be sure to moderate Speed and not turn sharply. After the hole, use the path through the trees to the 5th tee.

5th Hole – Low Risk - Keep the buggy on the path until reaching the fairway. When the hole is finished, return to the path 50 yards short of the green and follow the path to the 6th tee.

6th Hole – Low Risk – Keep the buggy on the path by the tee and use the turning area to turn the buggy around. Use the path to get to the green and always keep the buggy to the left of the green.

7th Hole – High Risk - Sloping of the fairway with undulations can make this challenging – be sure to moderate Speed and not turn sharply. Do not take the buggy in between the 7th and 17th green. Beware of people teeing off from the 8th tee.

8th Hole – Medium Risk - Sloping of the fairway with undulations can make this challenging – be sure to moderate Speed and not turn sharply. Use the paths between the ridge to get to the green. Do not take the buggy to the right of the green.

9th Hole – Medium Risk – Due to the slope, only drive the buggy to the 9th tee if ground conditions allow. Beware of the water hazard on the right hand side, at the corner of the dog leg and up to the green. Use the bridge on the right, 80 yards before the approach to the green and then follow the path. Do not take the buggy left of the green.

10th Hole – Low Risk – Use the path to get to the 10th tee. Do not take the buggy into the large dip in front of the teeing area. Beware of people teeing off on 11 and leave the buggy a safe distance. Do not take the buggy to the right of the green, due to the slope.

11th Hole – Low Risk

12th Hole – Medium Risk - Sloping of the fairway with undulations can make this challenging – be sure to moderate Speed and not turn sharply. When reaching the green, park the buggy in front of the 12th green, then drive around the end of the trees to the 13th tee.

13th Hole – High Risk - Sloping of the fairway with undulations can make this challenging – be sure to moderate Speed and not turn sharply. Do not take the buggy to the right of the green, but be aware of players teeing off on 14.

14th Hole –High Risk - Sloping of the fairway with undulations can make this challenging – be sure to moderate Speed and not turn sharply. Beware of the quarry; this is marked by a white rope. Do not drive into the quarry or to the left side of the green.

15th Hole – Medium Risk - Sloping of the fairway with undulations can make this challenging – be sure to moderate Speed and not turn sharply

16th Hole – Low Risk – Do not take the buggy on to the practice area. Exit the hole to the left of the green. Keep the buggy to the left of the road when driving to the 17th tee.

17th Hole – High Risk – Steep sloping of the fairway from left to right with undulations can make this challenging – be sure to moderate Speed and not turn sharply.

18th Hole – Low Risk - Keep the buggy to the path from the tee. Exit the course via the path to the right of the green.