ACCESS ROAD AND CAR PARK

The access road to the club is narrow with limited visibility in places.  A 15-mph speed limit must be adhered to. Beware of the public, with a footpath crossing the road close to the main entrance gate and through the carpark area.

Be aware pedestrians, vehicles and course machinery utilise the car park and surrounding areas.  

 

COURSE - GENERAL

Players should always be aware of other golfers, staff working and pay particular attention to the public, who have a right of way on footpaths which cross several holes (see scorecard for path locations). Players should never play a stroke if a person is within the potential trajectory or landing area for the type of shot being played, taking account for any errant and mishit stroke.

Players should always loudly shout “Fore” to warn other players/public when an errant shot has been made.

Course signage must be adhered to at all times. Warning signs are placed adjacent to the main tee signs on holes where paths or other holes cross line of play.    

 

GREENKEEPERS

Greenkeepers work on the course during play and always have priority. Under no circumstances must play continue towards a greenkeeper (including when on machinery) until:

1. the greenkeeper is fully out of range from any potential shot or,
2. their attention has been obtained, the greenkeeper has acknowledged the player can continue and is watching play.

Greenkeepers have priority to complete the mowing of a green and reposition the flag before continuation of play.

 

FOOTWEAR

All players must wear golf shoes when playing.  The type of shoe is up to the individual; however it is advisable to consider the ground conditions, with dimpled shoes only worn in summer. 

 

SLIPS AND FALLS

Players should always avoid walking on steep grass inclines or banks, particularly in wet or soft ground conditions or when grass is very dry.  Take extreme caution near the edge of ditches and quarry areas.

Wooden sleepers and wooden path edges are very slippery in wet / frost conditions and must not be stepped on. Keep to the non-slip treads installed on sleeper steps and take smaller steps keeping your weight over your feet.

The general topography is not flat and there are undulations and trip hazards throughout the course. All players must take care while walking, be aware of these hazards and look where you are walking. 

 

INSURANCE

Players have a duty of care to themselves and others on the course and Bath Golf Club is not responsible for the property or actions of any player using the course, negligent or otherwise. It is the responsibility of all golfers to be adequately insured for causing damage or injury to third parties or property (currently the England Golf Affiliation fee provides some cover) – please use link for details. https://englandgolf.bluefinsport.co.uk/member-insurance-benefit

 

DANGER FROM ADVERSE WEATHER

As far as possible Club staff / Competitions committee monitor conditions and will make official closures as necessary (detailed below).

Weather conditions can change quickly and what is happening on one part of the course is not always happening elsewhere.  Therefore, players have a personal responsibility if weather conditions change, and it is unsafe to continue. If an official closure has not been signalled, it is a player’s responsibility to cease play and return to the clubhouse if there is a risk to themselves or others, from poor visibility or severe weather conditions.  

Lightning - In the event of lightning or if a player reasonably believes there is danger from lightening play must be discontinued immediately. (Rule 5.7a).

Switch off phones, do not hold umbrellas and clubs or shelter within trees or course huts (they do not provide lightning protection). Move to low ground and return to Clubhouse as quickly as possible.

Fog - Club staff assess conditions at the first opportunity and will close the course if there is insufficient visibility. Any decision will take account of conditions throughout the course as visibility can vary dramatically in different areas.  Usually there is a 15-minute delay before re-opening after visibility improves to avoid further re-occurrence after play has resumed.  

At all times players must use their own judgement and should stop play at any time visibility falls below the distance of their ball flight. It should be remembered that greens staff and public may be on the course and not just the playing group ahead.  Players are asked to contact the Pro-Shop should conditions deteriorate on the course and an official closure has not been sounded. 

High temperatures and Sun exposure – Players should take care in summer months to protect themselves from prolonged exposure to the sun.  Suitable clothing and headwear are advised to reduce skin exposure and to apply sunscreen. Ensure you carry water and stay hydrated. A water fountain is located on the 8^th hole.     

 

OFFICIAL COURSE CLOSURE

In competition play players should proceed under the provisions of Rule 5-7 depending on the type of suspension siren.

Immediate Suspension (for imminent danger) – A SINGLE LONG BLAST OF THE KLAXON

Play must stop at once; players may mark their ball and must return to the clubhouse - Rule 5.7b (I).

Normal Suspension (i.e. unplayable conditions) – THREE SHORT BLASTS OF THE KLAXON

While playing a hole a player may decide to play out the hole or stop play. Between holes, players must stop and not begin another hole - Rule 5.7b (2)

Resumption of play – TWO CONSECUTIVE BLASTS OF THE KLAXON

Any decision to officially close the course is final and must be adhered to by all players.

The Club will where possible use the UK Met Office advanced weather warnings in conjunction with assessing local conditions during inclement weather on decisions to officially close the course as follows: -

Yellow Warning: - If local conditions are deemed acceptable, players may play at their own risk although should be ready to abandon play should weather deteriorate.

Amber Warning: - The Course will be closed to play once it has been confirmed the Golf Course is within the extreme weather zone.

Red Warning: - The Golf Course will be closed for any period the Course is within a Red Warning zone.

When Amber and Red warnings are forecast the Club will give advanced warning to Members that a closure of facilities should be expected.  The Club/course will re-open once the Club is no longer within the extreme weather zone and local conditions are deemed safe.

 

DAY LIGHT VISIBILITY

Play is only permitted when there is adequate daylight. No player is permitted to commence play or continue when there is insufficient daylight to see where their ball lands.

 

FLOODING, FROST AND SOFT GROUND CONDITIONS

The Senior Greenkeeper on duty will review course conditions daily and when conditions are deemed unsafe for play may impose partial restrictions or close the course. The Greens staff or Professional staff (in the absence of Greens staff) decision is final and must be adhered to by all players.

Players must adhere to any traffic routes and avoid all roped off areas which are deemed unsuitable ground conditions and introduced for players own safety.

 

PUBLIC FOOTPATHS, ADJOINING LAND AND SSSI AREAS

Various public footpaths dissect or adjoin the golf course.  Players should be mindful that the public may stray off official paths and be unfamiliar to the risk from flying golf balls. Be polite and do not play if there is any risk.   

Players must not cross fences, boundary walls onto adjoining land to retrieve stray golf balls. The quarry on the 14^thhole is a Natural England site of special scientific importance and entry is not permitted for any reason.  

 

TURF TREATMENTS

Any chemical applications in progress will be notified on the information board next to the starting tee. At all times players should avoid ingestion through contact with fingers and golf balls and should always wash their hands immediately after play.

PRACTISING

Practice is strictly limited to the Practice Area within the course (using own balls) or the Warm-Up range. Play on the course is limited to the 2-ball rule. Any other practice on the course is strictly forbidden.

When using the Practice Area within the course, beware of the public using the footpath which runs at the far end and along the stone wall. When more than one person is practising, players should play from the same end. When retrieving balls all other play should cease.

Refer to separate Rules for use of the warm-up Range. 

 

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Players are recommended to store the Club’s telephone numbers and carry a mobile phone (on silent) on the golf course.

In an emergency, players should contact the Pro-Shop, Office or Bar for assistance. If there is risk to a person’s life, the Emergency Services must be called immediately and not delayed until Club staff arrive.

 

FIRST AID ASSISTANCE

There are trained first aid staff in all departments who, if needed, can arrange transport to reach any casualty. First Aid boxes are in the Pro-Shop, Club Office and Bar. A larger carrying kit with additional equipment for use with a defibrillator is located in the Club Manager’s Office.

The Club has a defibrillator located on the side of the Pro-Shop facing the shoe cleaning area.  It is a locked cabinet - code – 3456.  The code can also be obtained through the national database phone number detailed on the cabinet.  

REPORTING INCIDENTS

Any accident, incident, near miss, or any situation which could potentially be dangerous, which does not require immediate assistance, must still be notified to the Professional Shop or Club Office as soon as practical on completion of the round so that it can be recorded as part of the Club’s ongoing Health and Safety assessment.