how to keep a golf course safe from crime

by Giovanni Quitzon 9 min read

To stay safe during play, golfers need to: Be sure everyone else is a safe distance away before they swing. This includes people nearby who might get hit with the club and people farther away who could get hit with the ball.

Full Answer

How do you stay safe on the golf course?

Extra vigilance is also needed when younger golfers are part of your group. Also, look ahead of you, and to the left and right of the area where you are aiming your shot. Don't hit your ball until you are confident that any golfers up ahead are out of your range.

Is it safe to live on a golf course?

While incidents of individuals being seriously injured by a wayward golf ball are extremely rare, broken windows and beat up grass is much more common. Another big concern is privacy. To say it plainly – if you live on a golf course, you won’t have any. During the day, there isn’t much you can do to avoid golfers ogling your back yard.

Do you have a safety program for your golf course?

Every golf course needs written sections on safety in the various documents that guide its operation. This includes standard operating procedures, long-range planning, your orientation and training manual and as a budgetary item. So, you don’t have a safety program? Or, the existing one is weak at best.

What are the safety guidelines for golfers?

Simple Safety Guidelines for Golfers. 1 Keep Track of Those Around You. When a golf club is in your hands and you are preparing to swing, it is your responsibility to make sure your playing ... 2 Heads Up. 3 Yell Fore, or Cover Up When You Hear It. 4 Never Hit into the Group Ahead of Yours. 5 Drive Safely. More items

Is it safe to live next to a golf course?

"Anyone on the golf course or nearby is at risk. Finally, pesticides applied to the turf may run off into surface waters or leach down to groundwater, which can then expose people to contaminated drinking water. These people may live far from the place where pesticides were used."

Why live next to a golf course?

Bottom line is, for the avid golfer, living on or adjacent to a golf course provides you with the most convenient opportunity to play as much or as little golf as you want.

Is a golfer liable for breaking a window?

A: Living on a golf course means living with golf balls. While the golfer who broke your window should own up and take responsibility, she is not legally responsible for the damage if she was otherwise playing normally.

What should you not do on a golf course?

The 35 rudest things you should never do on the golf course'Driving the cart ahead of the group' ... 'Taking calls on the course' ... 'Order way too many drinks' ... 'Get mad about their game' ... 'Standing over the ball too long' ... 'Talk too much' ... 'Drives their cart too close to your ball' ... 'Unsolicited swing advice'More items...•

What are the cons of living on a golf course?

The most obvious drawback to living on a golf course is the constant activity behind your home if you live directly on a fairway or green. There are busy parts of every neighborhood, but few involve golf carts and a steady stream of people as early as 5 a.m. on every possible day the weather allows it.

Is it noisy living on a golf course?

Things can get noisy if the home is very close to the course. This is especially true if the house borders a tee box or cart path. These locations are often golfers gathering spots and can be noisier than other locations. Before you buy, take time to walk the property lines and understand the course layout.

What happens if you hit a house while playing golf?

You break a window, you pay for it. The flip side of that coin is that homeowners should bear responsibility for golf ball damage since they assumed obvious risk by deciding to purchase a home near a golf course. Additionally, homeowner's insurance may handle the damage.

Who is liable if a golf ball hits a car?

You will most likely either have to pay out of your own pocket or by filing a claim on your car insurance policy. You can hope that, if the at-fault party comes forward or is caught red-handed, the moral obligation will take over, and they will volunteer to cover the damages.

Are golfers liable for property damage?

The homeowner usually assumes the risk of damage and may wish to insure against this event. Golfers may be responsible for damage but collecting is usually difficult and impractical.

What to do if someone hits into you golf?

Call the ranger. Call the clubhouse. You need a third party to intervene before someone has to call the cops. To receive GOLF's all-new newsletters, subscribe for free here.

Are you allowed to pee on a golf course?

Most professionals and many amateurs agree that urinating on the golf course should be reserved for near-emergencies, that going alfresco in the fescue should never be the easy option. Unless, that is, public urination is part of your personal code.

What are the five rules of golf etiquette?

5 Golf Etiquette RulesSilence is golden. As a courtesy, do not move or make any noise when a fellow player is up to putt. ... Take your time, but not too much. ... Losing the game can be frustrating, but losing your cool is significantly worse. ... Watch where you stand. ... Respect the green.

Why does golf hurt?

Most injuries associated with golf are caused by overuse and poor form. The lower back, elbows, wrists, shoulders, and hands are most commonly hurt.

How to get ready for a first golf game?

If you are new to the game of golf, it is best to get a physical before your first game. Although golf isn’t dangerous, your body may not be prepared for it. Warm up and stretch before you go to the course or when you get there. You should give yourself plenty of time to do this, especially if you are not typically active. You can create a routine that includes your arms, shoulders, wrists, core, and legs.

What happens if you repeat a golf swing?

A golf swing requires you to use your entire body in one movement. When you repeat this movement, especially if it is incorrect, it can cause injuries. To protect your muscles, joints, and tendons, you can take the following steps.

Importance of Golf Course Safety

Golf course safety is often overlooked until an accident or problem occurs. Maintaining a golf course is a business and safety must be part of every business.

Guidelines for Maintenance Operators

All staff members must be trained in the proper use of all golf course equipment and understand the user manuals for the equipment as well. To safeguard your company against future liabilities, your employees should review the content and pass the training for topics such as:

Who is Responsible for the Safety of the Golf Course?

It is the responsibility of the staff to ensure safety on the golf course. All employees should be trained to detect dangerous conditions such as uneven stairs, sinkholes, low branches, or areas that can cause slip-off accidents.

What is the responsibility of the staff to ensure safe conditions on the golf course?

Safe conditions. Another area that requires attention is the responsibility of the staff to ensure safe conditions on the golf course. Each and every employee should have the proper training to look for any conditions that could be deemed unsafe on the property.

What is the rule of thumb for cleaning hands?

Don’t, for example, use solvents to clean your hands, or gasoline to wipe down equipment. Rule #7. Never eat or drink while handling any materials, and if your hands are contaminated, don’t use cosmetics or handle contact lenses.

Is a golf course a workplace?

A golf course is no different than any other workplace. Workers must abide by safety procedures, and a safe environment must be provided for golfers. Subscribe.

Is safety a priority after an accident?

All too often safety becomes a priority after an accident has happened. At that point it may be a little late to be compliant – sort of like closing the barn door after the horse is gone. It also becomes a priority when inspectors arrive at your door to follow up on a call from a disgruntled employee.

Is golf course maintenance a business?

Golf course maintenance is a business and safety should be a part of every business. Every golf course budget should have a line item for safety equipment, upgrades to facilities, adherence to laws and regulations and training for staff regarding the need for a safe workplace as well as providing a safe place for golfers to enjoy their recreation.

What happens when you ignore the rules in golf?

When those rules are ignored, injuries can occur. Golf involves the swinging of metal clubs, which propel golf balls at high speeds. If you're in the way of either the clubs or the balls, you're in danger.

What is the responsibility of a golf club?

When a golf club is in your hands and you are preparing to swing, it is your responsibility to make sure your playing partners are a safe distance away from you. It's not too difficult, after all, to keep track of where everyone is when your group is likely just four or fewer golfers.

How to spot a golf ball?

Instead, cover up. Crouch behind your golf bag, get behind a tree, hide behind the cart, cover your head with your arms. Make yourself a smaller target, and protect your head.

What happens if you hit lightning on a golf course?

If there is lightning anywhere around the golf course, or thunderstorms approaching, take cover. At the very first sign of lightning, head for the clubhouse.

What happens if you play golf in the sun?

If you're playing golf under the sun on a hot day, you'll be sweating off a lot of body fluids. Even if the sun is nowhere to be seen, and it's a cool day, you'll be working up a thirst.

How many hours of golf is a typical round?

A typical round of golf means four hours of exposure to the harsh effects of the sun. More on a slow day, or on a day when you play more than 18 holes. More when you factor in time on the practice putting green or driving range .

How far apart should you be in a baseball group?

If in a group, group members should remain at least 15 feet apart. If you feel a tingling sensation or the hair on your arms stands up, crouch in a baseball catcher's position, balancing on the balls of your feet. Fold your arms in front of your knees, keep your feet together and your head forward.

Chemical Safety on the Golf Course: How to Protect Your Employees and Guests

While they keep your pool glistening, your buildings pristine, and your turf in top shape, chemicals can be harmful to your staff and guests without the proper precautions in place.

It Starts With Training

Training your staff on proper handling of hazardous chemicals is not just good business—it’s the law. OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires you to make information about hazardous chemicals available and understandable.

Chemicals in the Kitchen

Most commercial kitchens use chemicals for cleaning, sanitizing, and pest control. Beyond requiring your kitchen staff to take state-mandated food safety courses, your entire staff should be aware of proper handling and storage of kitchen chemicals. Here are some guidelines to remember:

Chemicals for Cleaning and Property Maintenance

The chemicals your maintenance and janitorial crews use to keep your club’s buildings clean and sanitized also pose risks. Cleaning chemicals can cause anything from skin rashes to asthma. In addition to following the same guidelines listed above, here are some other ways to help keep your employees safe:

Chemicals for the Pool

Chemicals added to your club’s pool help protect swimmers from germs, improve water quality, protect your pool equipment, and prevent algae growth. But if they’re used incorrectly, they can harm your staff and swimmers. Here are some ways to ensure pool chemicals are used safely:

Chemicals for the Golf Course

Properly storing and using pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, and other chemicals is key to keeping employees and guests safe, and keeping your turf in pristine condition. Here are some steps to consider for safer golf course chemical storage and usage (your staff training should also cover these techniques):

Chemical Storage Tanks

If you store gas, diesel, pesticides, or herbicides in underground or above-ground storage tanks, there are additional considerations to be aware of to further mitigate your risk:

What are the benefits of living in a golf community?

One of the top benefits (or detriments, depending on if you are the buyer or the seller) of living in a golfing community is the higher level of property value, property quality and demand.

What is intent in a golf case?

In most cases such as this, intent is the key word (after locating the golfers responsible, of course). In many such cases, the plaintiff must prove that the golfer intentionally hit their ball into a homeowner’s property.

When did golf balls cause a lawsuit?

A court case in the early 1990s illustrates perfectly the difficulties homeowners have in recouping damages caused by golf balls. In 1992, three homeowners on the sixth hole of the Gold Course at Dallas Athletic Club filed suit after stray golf balls damaged their homes and vehicles.

Do golf courses have higher perceived value?

Within a golf course community, certain homes may have a higher perceived value than others by perspective buyers as well, as homeowners may prefer homes with certain views of the golf course or specific locations. “Many buyers come to me looking for a golf course lot,” said Cindy O’Gorman, one of the nation’s top realtors.

Is it rare to get injured by a golf ball?

While incidents of individuals being seriously injured by a wayward golf ball are extremely rare, broken windows and beat up grass is much more common. Another big concern is privacy. To say it plainly – if you live on a golf course, you won’t have any.

Is it good to live on a golf course?

There are so many wonderful advantages to living on a golf course or in a golf course community – from the high property values and quality school districts that usually are nearby, to the other community amenities and golf at your fingertips, living on a golf course is living the dream. Of course, it isn’t always fun and games, ...

Do you need a driver's license to play golf in Arizona?

Many public courses around the country – especially in tourist-rich golf areas such as Arizona and California – will offer severely discounted rates and green fees to residents to promote more local play. Usually all they require is a driver’s license the proves your residence.

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