Health & Safety
GOLF COURSE HEALTH & SAFETY INFORMATION & RISK ASSESSMENT 2020
The following information identifies the main hazards that members and visitors to Crail Golfing Society may encounter while playing, practising or walking the golf course. It does not contain a definitive list of hazards, as by the very nature of the game of golf, 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.
ACCIDENT/ EMERGENCY PROCEDURES:
ALL accidents and incidents MUST be reported to the Managing Secretary’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. Details of trained First Aiders are displayed on all club notice boards.
A Defribillator is located on the wall adjacent to the Main Entrance,and in the Toilet on Balcomie located between the 10th green and 11th tee.
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
Clubhouse: 01333 450686
Police: 101
ARRIVING AND LEAVING THE CLUB:
Please be careful as you enter and leave the Club. Cars must only be parked in designated spaces and excessive speed is to be avoided at all times. Beware of Speed Bumps, and keep left on the roundabout on entry.
WILDLIFE:
Crail Golfing Society boasts 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. Adders are also present on the golf course, and urgent medical attention should be sought if you suffer a venomous bite. Crail Golfing Society endeavours to fill in holes created by animals. However 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:
It is prohibited to enter fields bounding the course at holes 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 on Balcomie and holes 6 and 7 on Craighead, and the SSSI Nature Reserve Areas bounding holes 13 and 14 on Craighead.
ADVERSE WEATHER:
This section details the procedures to be followed in respect of the ADVERSE WEATHER HORN SIGNALS, and HEALTH AND SAFETY advice to be followed when adverse weather conditions prevail.
Lightning and Fog:
In the event of a DANGEROUS SITUATION (Lightning and Fog) suspension of play shall be signified by ONE LONG BLAST of the HORN play MUST stop immediately (see Rule 5.7a) and players should make their way to the clubhouse and await further instructions.
After suspension, resumption of play shall be signified by TWO SHORT BLASTS OF THE HORN.
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 HORN. 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 HORN.
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 horn shall only be sounded when the Pro Shop is attended.If the horn 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 of 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 three shelters on the Balcomie Course located at the 3rd tee,to the right of the 4th green,and to the right of the forward tee on the 9th.In addition,the toilet facility is located between the 10th green and 11th forward tee.
On the Craighead Course a shelter is located at the 15th tee,and the toilet facility is located between the 8th green and 9th tee.However,all players must exercise due diligence and take appropriate action under such circumstances.
Fog- In the event fog is present at the start of the day,and the Lifeboat House is not visible,the courses shall closed to all play until the Greenstaff have completed their standard course preparations and have notified the Pro Shop/starter that they are off the course(s).Thereafter,it is the responsibility of the Professional and/or Professional Staff or any authorised member of the committee supervising the competition to decide if the courses are playable.
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(s) has not been officially closed this does not mean that 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 Golf Course Manager or in his absence Head/Deputy Greenkeeper has the authority to close the course(s) when unusual weather has occurred and damage to the course(s)would occur if play were permitted.Such conditions would occur if water logging,flooding,severe frost,or snow prevailed.
During a competition,the course(s)may be closed by the Golf Course Manager In consultation with the Managing Secretary, Professional,or any authorised member of the committee supervising the competition and he/she considers that the course/greens have become unsuitable for play.
BUGGIES:
Crail Golfing Society has buggies available for hire from the Professional. Apart from these, the use of personalised motorised ride-on buggies is permitted only by prior application to the Managing Secretary. Owners of buggies MUST ensure they are adequately insured. All hire buggies must be operated in accordance with our Golf Buggy Safety Policy (provided by the Professional).
CHEMICAL & FERTILISER APPLICATIONS:
A notice on the Entrance Roundabout will advise of days that chemicals have been used. 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:
Crail Golfing Society requires golf shoes to be worn on the golf course as they help to avoid slips; they also help your golf!
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. Remember- GREENKEEPING STAFF HAVE PRIORITY DURING EARLY MORNINGS.
INSURANCE:
Crail Golfing Society provides liability insurance 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 Driving Range and Practice Putting Area. Under no circumstances is there to be any practising on the Courses unless receiving a lesson from the Professional.
The Driving Range facility is situated to the left of the approach road to the Clubhouse and comprises 9 no teeing bays,two practice green and bunker areas,and a putting area.
The following shall be observed when using the facility:
- Be aware of golfers teeing off from the 13th tee. Listen for the shout of "FORE"
- Be aware of Greenstaff working in the vicinity and give them priority.
- All full wood and iron shots to be played from the mats only.
- All shots shall generally be directed toward the various coloured distance markers.
- No shots shall be played from the adjacent grass areas at either end of the mats.
- No shots shall be played from the vicinity of the markers.
- Only range balls are to be used.Own golf balls can be used on the putting and chipping greens.
- There shall be no collecting of golf balls in front of the mats or from the range.
- No shots shall be played from the mats to the putting area.
- No shots shall be directed at the lower practice green area.
- No shots shall be played from the practice tee area behind the irrigation water tank, except during Professional coaching sessions.
- No "long" shots shall be played from the top right corner of the range(as viewed from the teeing bays) towards the irrigation tanks.
- Bunkers are to be raked after use.
- No shots shall be played from adjacent to the upper practice chipping and bunker area on to the range.
- Buckets and Balls shall not be removed from the premises.
- No “long”shots shall be played from the range to the upper practice chipping and bunker area.
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.
DITCHES:
Players should be aware that some of the 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.
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:
Crail Golfing Society has public rights of way sharing parts of our land. Please remember that USERS OF THE PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY HAVE PRIORITY AT ALL TIMES. If there are people in range of your shot take a minute to enjoy the scenery until they are out of range. If a miss hit 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. For further information and guidance on Public Rights of Way please refer to the club “Outdoor Access Code”, the link for which can be found at the foot of the club web page.
HOLE BY HOLE RISK ASSESSMENT
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:
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.
Balcomie Links
| Hole Number |
Specific Holes To Be Aware Of |
Action to be taken following an errant shot |
|
1
|
When teeing off be please be aware golfers on the left crossing the fairway from the 13th green to the 14th tee and downhill to the left approaching from the 13th tee. Also, please be aware of golfers on the 14th green to the right.
|
Shout “FORE”
|
|
2
|
When teeing off please be aware of golfers to the left on the adjacent 12th fairway, they shall have priority.
Also, please be aware of golfers teeing off from the 3rd tee behind the green and 12th tee to the left.
|
Shout "FORE" Listen for the shout of "FORE"
|
|
3
|
Do not tee off until the game in front has cleared the 4th tee, and are beyond the green. Exception shall be if game in front signals to play up in the interests of speed of play.
|
Shout “FORE”
|
|
4
|
When teeing off please be aware of possibility of golfers teeing off from the 3rd tee behind.
|
Listen for the shout of “FORE”
|
|
5
|
When teeing off please be aware of golfers teeing off from the 7th tee up the hill to the left.
When playing an approach shot to the green, please be aware of golfers on the 6th tee and fairway to the left.
|
Listen for the shout of "FORE" Shout " FORE"
|
|
6
|
When teeing off please be aware of golfers on the 5th fairway to the left.
|
Shout “FORE” Listen for the shout of “FORE”
|
|
7
|
From the forward tee, do not tee off until the game in front are on the 8th tee.
|
Shout “FORE”
|
|
8
|
When teeing off, please be aware of golfers on the 7th tee behind. When playing an approach shot to the 8th green, please be aware of golfers on the 9th back and forward tees situated either side of the fairway.
Also, please be aware 8th and 11th greens are a shared double green, therefore, please be aware of golfers on the 11th green to the right.
|
Listen for the shout of "FORE" Shout "FORE"
|
|
9
|
From the back tee, please be aware of golfers approaching from the right on the 8th fairway. Also, be aware of golfers on the 3rd tee behind to the left.
When playing from the forward tee, do not tee off until the game in front have cleared the 10th tee to the left.
|
Listen for the shout of "FORE"
Shout “FORE”
|
|
10
|
When teeing off please be aware of golfers teeing off from the 9th tee behind.
|
Listen for the shout of "FORE"
|
|
11
|
When teeing off please be aware of golfers on the 12th fairway to the right. Also, when playing an approach shot to the green, please be aware of golfers playing to the 8th hole from the left to the shared double green.
|
Shout " FORE"
Listen for the shout of "FORE"
|
|
12
|
When teeing off be please be aware of golfers on the 2nd fairway to the left and 11th fairway to the right. When approaching the 12th green, please be aware of golfers teeing off from the 2nd tee to the left.
|
Shout "FORE"
Listen for the shout of "FORE"
|
|
13
|
Do not tee off until the green is clear. Exception shall be if game in front signals to play up in the interests of speed of play. When proceeding on the 13th fairway please be aware of golfers teeing off from the 1st tee to the left of the 13th green.
|
Shout "FORE".
Listen for the shout of "FORE"
|
|
14
|
When teeing off please be aware of golfers on the 1st fairway to the left. Also, when on the 14th green please be aware of golfers teeing off from the 1st tee behind.
|
Shout "FORE" Listen for the shout of "FORE"
|
|
15
|
When teeing off please be aware of golfers on the 17th fairway to the right.
|
Shout “FORE”
|
|
16
|
When teeing off please be aware of golfers already on the 17th tee to the right of the 16th green, who do not have priority. Be aware of possible risk of golf balls landing in close proximity to the teeing ground. Tee off only when game on 17th tee has played. Also, please be aware of possibility of vehicles and walkers traversing the road in front
|
Shout “FORE”
Listen for the shout of "Fore"
|
|
17
|
When teeing off please be aware of golfers already on the 16th tee adjacent to the 15th green, they shall have priority. Tee off only when 16th tee is clear.
Please be aware of golfers on the 15th green, fairway and tee to the right, and 18th green and fairway to the left. Also, please be aware of possibility of vehicles and walkers traversing the road in front
|
Shout “FORE”
|
|
18
|
When teeing off please be aware of golfers on the 17th fairway to the left.
|
Shout “FORE”
|