Clitheroe Golf Club

Course Safety

The health and wellbeing of our members and visitors is paramount. Golf can be a dangerous sport, so each player is expected to be aware of both their own and others' safety at all times. Please refer to this guide and familiarise yourself with our health and safety policies

Poor Visibility

The club has a duty of care to all users of the course and as such has a clear policy regarding the discontinuation of play due to lack of visibility. This will be typically due to either fog or darkness.

The policy is to be adhered to at all times. Failure to do so, will result in individuals being sanctioned in accordance with club rules for breach of club policies.

1. Player responsibility

The decision regarding play when visibility is poor, first and foremost, lies with the individual golfer, as they are putting others at risk.
Wherever a golfer is on the course, they must assess whether they can see the clear distance of their intended shot; whether it is safe to play.
If the clear distance of their intended shot cannot be seen, the player must not play.
Golfers may wait to see if conditions improve. If visibility does not improve, golfers must cancel their round and their participation in competition, citing dangerous playing conditions as the reason.

2. Tee closures

If you cannot see the copse of trees, to the right of the 1st fairway from the 1st tee, then the course is closed and golfers are prohibited from venturing onto the course until the course is reopened. “Course closed” signs will be displayed on tees that are in close proximity to the clubhouse.
Responsibility for this decision is to be taken by the most senior member of staff or committee present.
Members must not apply pressure to members of staff, in this matter; this may be considered as intimidation and a breach of the club’s staff anti-bullying policy.

3. Suspension of competition

R&A rules of golf - rule 6E clause 2.

“Visibility

It is recommended that, if landing areas are no longer visible to players (for example, due to fog or darkness), play should be suspended. Similarly, if players are unable to read the line of play on a putting green due to a lack of visibility, play should be suspended.”

In the event of a club competition, rule 6E(2) will be triggered by the designated Competition Secretary, based on the actions of individual golfers, as per clause 1 or suspension of play as per clause 2 above.
Once a significant number of participating golfers have decided that it is no longer safe to continue and start to come in off the course, the competition will be suspended or cancelled on the grounds that the course is deemed unplayable.
This decision is taken by the designated competition secretary, based on the consensus and actions of a number of the participants.

4. Individual golfers in competition

Should, in accordance with clause 1 above, an individual player decide to stop playing on the grounds that they are concerned that they may be endangering other golfers, then the competition committee can allow this without cancelling the competition, provided they are contented that the individual did so out of genuine and appropriate concern for the safety of others.

If, because of bad weather, a player refuses to start at the time arranged by the competition committee or picks up during the round and the competition committee later cancels that round, the player gets no penalty as all penalties in a cancelled round are cancelled.

Greens Staff

Buggies

To ensure the safety of all golf course users, buggy drivers are required to comply with the Clubs Buggy Policy and follow designated buggy routes at all times. Take particular care on slopes and around ditches and deep-sided bunkers.

Buggy Policy (Rental)

Buggy Policy (Privately Owned)

The Course, Its Steps and Surfaces

The Course, Its Steps And Surfaces may be slippery when damp or wet. Golfers must ensure to wear appropriate footwear to meet the prevailing conditions. Wherever possible, keep to covered areas of footpaths and steps. Take care on steep banks and when entering & leaving deep-sided bunkers.

Deep Water

There is a pond and several streams across the course. Players are advised not to attempt to retrieve golf balls from the pond. Players enter water hazards at their own risk.

First Aid

First Aid boxes are located in the Clubhouse, Office and Professionals Shop. The Professional is a trained first aider and many other staff are trained in basic first aid.

ALL ACCIDENTS MUST BE REPORTED TO THE OFFICE

Emergencies

You are advised to carry a mobile phone to summon assistance in an emergency.

Ring 999 for an ambulance and give a post code of BB7 1PP

Ambulance access points: Main Car Park. Office: 01200 422292

Golfers

Players should not play until the players in front are out of range.

Players should ensure that no one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by the club, the ball or any stones, pebbles, twigs or the like when they make a stroke or practice swing.

If a player plays a ball in a direction where there is a danger of hitting someone, they should immediately shout a warning. The traditional word of warning in such situations is "FORE!"

On hearing "FORE!" - Crouch, cover your head with your arms and count to 10.