GOLF COURSE HEALTH & SAFETY INFORMATION & RISK ASSESSMENT 2024

 

 

The following information identifies the main hazards that members, visitors, staff and members of the public to Ramsey Golf Club may encounter while playing, practicing, working or walking on the golf course. It does not contain a definitive list of hazards, as by the very nature of the game of golf and the course’s exposure to nature, it is impossible to eliminate risk entirely.

 

All players and visitors are expected to adopt golfing etiquette by not playing a golf shot if there is the remotest chance of injuring someone, or by walking in front of a fellow competitor or partner prior to them playing a shot and to act with the safety of others in mind at all times

 

ACCIDENT/ EMERGENCY PROCEDURES:

ALL accidents and incidents MUST be reported to the Manager’s Office, so that the appropriate documentation may be completed.

 

FIRST-AID ASSISTANCE:

In the event of an accident, first aid boxes are located in: The Manager’s Office, Club House Bar and Kitchen and the Course Managers Office.

A Defibrillator is located under the notice board in the foyer outside the men’s and ladies’ locker rooms next to the sliding door exit to the course. Instructions for the operation of the equipment are provided through the machine.

 

MOBILE PHONES:

Mobile Phones must be switched off on the course. Their use is only permitted to summon help in the case of an accident / emergency.

Emergency services: 999. We recommend the mobile phone app what3words as a precise locator device.

Clubhouse: 01624 812244

Police: 999

 

ARRIVING AND LEAVING THE CLUB:

Please be careful as you enter and leave the Club car park. Cars must only be parked in designated spaces and excessive speed is to be avoided at all times. Be aware of the Speed Bumps close to the entry/exit, and keep to the left on the driveway. The entry/ exit is narrow, take extreme care when arriving at and leaving as pedestrians can be traversing pavement across the exit route.

 

During winter months the car park and paths surrounding the clubhouse can become slippery as a result of low air temperatures. Safety first.

 

WILDLIFE:

Ramsey Golf Club has lovely scenery and wildlife that has no respect for Health and Safety and like many other golf courses there are always dangers associated with animal burrows etc. Players should also be aware that there is a potential threat from wasps, bees and other biting insects. Whilst Ramsey Golf Club endeavours to fill in holes created by animals as soon as evident it is inevitable that there will be rabbit holes etc. that can lead to sprained ankles or worse. Persons playing or walking on the course do so AT THEIR OWN RISK and must not do anything to jeopardize the safety of themselves or others.

 

FIELDS and GARDENS:

It is permitted to access gardens bounding holes 1, 2 and 3 for the retrieval of golf balls however all due care must be exercised in doing so as the gardens form part of private residences. It is prohibited to enter fields and gardens bounding the course at holes 4, 7, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17 and 18.

 

ADVERSE WEATHER:

This section details the procedures to be followed in respect of

    ADVERSE WEATHER

    KLAXON SIGNALS, and

    HEALTH AND SAFETY

advice to be followed when adverse weather conditions Lightnng and Fog:

 

In the event of a DANGEROUS SITUATION (Lightning and Fog) suspension of play shall be signified by ONE LONG BLAST of the KLAXON play MUST stop immediately (see Rule 5.7a) and players should make their way to the clubhouse or a place of safety and await further instructions.

After suspension, resumption of play shall be signified by TWO SHORT BLASTS OF THE KLAXON.

 

Other Prevailing Weather Conditions:

In the event of a NON-DANGEROUS SITUATION causing the course to become unplayable for reasons such as lack of daylight, excessive rainfall, and high winds to the extent a ball is moving and can’t be replaced on the spot from which it was blown (see Rule 5.7b), suspension of play shall be signified by THREE SHORT BLASTS of the KLAXON. The player MAY complete the hole already started and thereafter make their way immediately to the clubhouse and await further instructions.

After suspension, resumption of play shall be signified by TWO SHORT BLASTS of the KLAXON.

When play is to be resumed following a suspension, players will resume play from where they stopped. (see Rule 5.7d)

 

Health and Safety Advice:

It should be noted the Klaxon shall only be sounded when the Manager and/or Professional staff are present. If the Klaxon is not sounded during a competition and a player believes there is a real danger by proceeding, the player is entitled to discontinue play under Rule 6-8a(ii)

 

Lightning - Where there is not sufficient time to evacuate the course and there is a threat, you are advised to observe the following advice:

• Do not shelter under trees or go to high ground

• Keep as low as possible and ideally crouch down in the nearest bunker/hollow

• Leave your golf equipment where it is and stand away from it

• Do not use a mobile phone - make sure it is switched off

• Do not put up an umbrella up in any circumstances

 

There are shelters on the course located at the side of 5th tee, 7th tee, 10th tee, 11th tee, to the left of the 10th green. In addition, the toilet facility is located to the left of the 6th green.

 

Fog - In the event fog is present it is the responsibility of the Manager and/or Professional Staff or any authorised member of the committee supervising the competition to decide if the course is playable. In any case where visibility is restricted to 200 yards play must cease until it improves.

 

Disclaimer:

A decision to carry on playing during adverse weather conditions contrary to the above advice is normally left to the discretion of the player who MUST accept full responsibility for his/her safety and others affected by their actions.

If the course has not been officially closed this does not mean that it is necessarily safe to continue play and players must decide for themselves whether they consider it is safe to do so.

 

Course Closures General:

The Manager or in his absence Head/Deputy Greenkeeper has the authority to close the course when unusual weather has occurred and damage to the course would occur, or the safety of players would be compromised, if play were permitted. Such conditions would occur if waterlogging, flooding, strong winds, severe frost, or snow prevailed.

 

During a competition, the course may be closed by the Head/Deputy Greenkeeper or any authorised member of the committee supervising the competition and he/she considers that the course/greens have become unsuitable for play or the safety of players would be compromised.

 

BUGGIES:

Ramsey Golf Club has buggies available for hire from the clubhouse. Apart from these, the use of personalised motorised ride-on buggies is permitted only by prior application to the Manager. Owners of buggies MUST ensure they are adequately insured. All hire buggies must be operated in accordance with our Golf Buggy Safety Policy (will be provided by the Manager).

 

CHEMICAL & FERTILISER APPLICATIONS:

A notice on the 1st tee will advise of days that chemicals have been used. An email will be sent to members prior to these days. Players are advised to take heed of the warnings and protect themselves. Do not lick golf balls or fingers and always wash your hands when finished playing.

 

FOOTWEAR:

Ramsey Golf Club requires golf shoes to be worn on the golf course as they help to avoid slips.

 

GREENKEEPERS:

The Greenkeeping staff are regularly working on the course when golf is in progress. Please be careful and courteous to them and ensure that they are aware of and have acknowledged, your presence prior to playing in their proximity. Greenkeeping staff have priority during morning work on the course.

 

INSURANCE:

As part of Ramsey Golf Club’s affiliation to England Golf, liability insurance is provided to its members. This insurance is also extended to green fee-paying visitors. However, all golfers should ensure that they are adequately insured in respect of the risks involved with playing golf.

 

PRACTISING:

This is strictly limited to the designated practice areas which are the Practice Ground alongside the 5th fairway and Practice Putting Area.

Whilst using the Practice Ground be aware of players teeing off on the 5th and 6th tee and playing the 5th and 6th holes. Listen for the shout of "FORE" and cease practice if players are within your practice range. No shots shall be played towards any fairways. The Professional has priority on the Practice Ground at all times. Bunkers are to be raked after use.

The car park at the Practice Ground is only for the use of members using the facility and greenkeepers. Any members parking vehicles in this area do so at their own risk.

 

STEEP BANKS and SLOPES:

Special care must be taken to avoid trips, slips and falls when standing on, or walking near, banks/slopes especially adjacent to ditches as these are considered to be some of the most hazardous areas of the course, particularly during or immediately after adverse weather conditions.

 

PONDS and DITCHES:

Players should be aware that some of the ponds and ditches have reasonably deep water and in places where banks look dry they can be treacherous and one can easily slip. Players should take great care when retrieving balls from these areas. Use ball retrievers where provided.

 

BRIDGES:

There are numerous bridges on the golf course which may become slippery when the ground is wet or when leaves are on the ground. Therefore care must be taken when crossing over any of the bridges to avoid slips and trips.

 

PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY:

No public rights of way exist on our land. Please remember however that despite repeated warnings against the practice people occasionally use the course primarily for walking to and from school. If there are any in range of your shot take a minute to enjoy the scenery until they are out of range. If a mishit shot is heading in the direction of other people, you must shout “FORE” in a loud voice to alert them of possible danger. Players should not strike a golf ball when there is the risk of endangering other players, members of the Green Staff and all other users of the golf course & its surroundings.

 

HOLE BY HOLE RISK ASSESSMENT

in addition you are advised to exercise caution at all times on the course in respect of identifying areas where there is a potential risk of hitting another golfer or being hit by another golfer’s errant shot, Particular care should also be taken on holes where the landing area of your shot is not clearly visible.

If you hear the shout of “FORE” always take evasive acting by facing the opposite direction of the shout and crouch and protect your head with your hands. Never face the direction of the shout to see where an errant golf ball is coming from.

Please observe all Health and Safety Instructions around the course.

 

The Course Risk Assessment has also been carried out on a hole-by-hole basis. Care must be taken at every hole in accordance with the general points above, but the following holes require particular care to assist in minimising the risks while playing on the course, it is your responsibility as a golfer to ensure that you adhere strictly to the following:

 

Specific holes to be aware of and action to be taken following an errant shot

1 Be aware of golfers teeing-off on 18th and in any case do not tee-off when the 18th tee is occupied. When teeing-off be aware of golfers to the right playing the 18th, 5th and 6th tee.

Be aware of golfers to the right playing the 5th and to the left playing the 2nd. Shout ‘Fore’ and listen for the shout of ‘Fore’.

 

2 When teeing-off be aware of golfers playing the 1st and the 4th also golfers teeing-off on 3rd. Be aware of golfers teeing-off on 4th. Shout ‘Fore’ and listen for the shout of ‘Fore’.

 

3 When teeing-off be aware of golfers teeing-off and playing 4th. Be aware of golfers playing the 2nd. Shout ‘Fore’ and listen for the shout of ‘Fore’

 

4 Be aware of players playing the 3rd. Be aware of players playing the 1st, 2nd and 5th and members of the public in lane at rear of green. Listen for the shout of ‘Fore. Shout ‘Fore’

 

5 Be aware of golfers teeing-off 4th. When teeing-off be aware of golfers to the right on the 1st green and fairway and Practice Ground to the left. Listen for the shout of ‘Fore. Shout ‘Fore’

 

6 When teeing-off be aware of golfers on the 5th green and fairway, and 17th. Be aware of golfers teeing-off 1st tee. Be aware of general public in lane at rear of 6th green and in the general area. Take care when crossing lane en route to 7th tee. Shout ‘Fore’ and listen for the shout of ‘Fore’. Check for traffic before crossing lane.

 

7 When teeing-off be aware of general public in lane to the right and players on the 8th. Be aware of players on the 8th. Shout ‘Fore’ and listen for the shout of ‘Fore’

 

8 When teeing-off be aware of players on the right, 7th, and to the left, 10th. Be aware of players on the 7th and 10th. Shout ‘Fore’ and listen for the shout of ‘Fore’

 

9 When teeing-off be aware of golfers to the left, 8th and to the right on 16th. Be aware of golfers on 8th and 16th. Shout ‘Fore’ and listen for the shout of ‘Fore’

 

10 When teeing-off and playing from fairway be aware of golfers on to the right on 14th. Be aware of golfers on the 7th when approaching the green and golfers teeing-off 11th. Shout ‘Fore’ and listen for the shout of ‘Fore’

 

11 When teeing-off be aware of golfers on 10th, 14th and 15th. Be aware of golfers to the right on the 14th and 15th, and on the 12th. Shout ‘Fore’ and listen for the shout of ‘Fore’

 

12 Be aware of golfers on 11th and on the right,13th. Shout ‘Fore’ and listen for the shout of ‘Fore’

 

13 Be aware of golfers on the 12th. Shout ‘Fore’ and listen for the shout of ‘Fore’

 

14 Be aware of golfers on the left,15th and the 11th close to green. Shout ‘Fore’ and listen for the shout of ‘Fore’

 

15 Be aware of golfers on the 14th and 10th. Be aware of golfers on the 16th, left. Shout ‘Fore’ and listen for the shout of ‘Fore’

 

16 Be aware of golfers on the 10th, right and 9th. Shout ‘Fore’ and listen for the shout of ‘Fore’

 

17 Take care crossing lane. Be aware of general public in the area. Be aware of golfers playing the 6th. Check for traffic. Shout ‘Fore’ and listen for the shout of ‘Fore’.

 

18 Be aware of general public in the area. Be aware of golfers on the 1st tee and fairway. You have precedence over golfers on the 1st. Shout ‘Fore’ and listen for the shout of ‘Fore’

 

To help with the review process of our safety information and assessment etc. all Members, Guests and Visitors are kindly requested to bring to the attention of the Manager any incidents that happen on the golf course, or any hazards they feel have not been addressed.

Enjoy your golf.

 

Review dated  041024