MEMBERS’ HEALTH AND SAFETY AT THE CLUB

Safe working practices have been adopted for our course and Clubhouse and all players are asked to note the following procedures to prevent injury to workers and players from golf balls and equipment.

1.1 Golfing Risks

A golf course can be a hazardous environment and players must always remain vigilant to prevent accidental injury to themselves and others.

1.2 Golf Balls:

When a player or course worker is within striking distance, a player should not hit a golf ball in their direction until their intention to hit has been acknowledged by the player or course worker, i.e., they should not hit until they have been called up.

• Members must call FORE if their ball is heading towards another person.
• Errant shots that exit the property must be reported to the Golf Shop as soon as practicable.

1.3 Practice Swings:

Members are to ensure they are at least 5 metres away from another Member when taking a practice swing.

1.4 Golf Carts:

Users of motorised carts must conform to the following requirements:

1. Carts must not be driven or parked within ten metres of a green or five metres of a tee (including practice facilities) and must adhere to any direction signs where in place.
2. Carts should be driven on cart paths where available.
3. No more than TWO persons are permitted to ride on a cart at one time.
4. Carts shall not be driven by Junior 1 Members without the prior consent of the Director of Golf.
5. Players using motorised carts have no priority over players on foot. The Committee reserves the right to limit the competitions in which motorised carts may be used. Carts shall not be used in the Club Championships or McNiven Memorial Strokeplay Championships unless prior medical consent has been approved by the match committee.
6. Care and caution in driving must always be observed.
7. Carts are to be returned to golf operations by 5.00 p.m. or during the months of daylight saving 5.30 p.m., except as otherwise arranged. The Committee reserves the right to withdraw the privilege of using motorised carts from any Member or visitor who breaches the above requirements.
8. Players hiring a golf cart must abide by the Course Care Policies and ensure that the golf cart always stays out of the fescue while following all instructions and signage.

1.5 Natural Risks

At all times players must abide by the Club Ruling on the day of play. These will be posted on the website and when practicable, a SMS will be sent.

1.6 Fog:

Players must not hit a golf ball if they cannot see the flight direction of that ball and/or where it could potentially land.

1.7 Frost:

Members may not play golf when there is a heavy frost. In the instance of a frost delay, players booked in the tee times affected by the frost delay could be required to forego all or part of their round.

1.8 Windy Conditions:

A wind speed greater than 80km/h sustained for longer than 5 minutes recorded from the weather station located at Royal Auckland & Grange Golf Club is the trigger for players to be evacuated from the course. The resumption of play would be when two successive readings from the weather station shows wind gusts recorded at 70kmh or less.

1.9 Wet Conditions:

Care must be taken when walking the course or in and around the Clubhouse and carpark in wet conditions. It is recommended that walking members avoid steep slopes, wooden surfaces and drains.

1.10 Defibrillator

The Club has a defibrillator in the Office and at the Golf Operations match desk. Most staff are trained as first aiders and in the correct use of the defibrillator.

1.11 Lightning Strike:

It is the responsibility of every player to assess the danger of a lightning strike and to take appropriate action. Players may suspend their round at any time if they believe they are in danger of a lightning strike. The Director of Golf may suspend play in anticipation of lightning. Players must discontinue play immediately and seek shelter in the Clubhouse.

Below is a summary of safety measures in the event of a lightning strike:

• If caught in the open when an electrical storm develops, count the time gap between the lightning flash and the sound of thunder. Each second of delay between a lightning flash and the thunder is approximately one kilometre of distance. If the gap is less than five seconds, take emergency precautions immediately. These are as follows: 
• Get into a car or building if possible.
• If you are in the open, stay clear of wire fences, large trees, hilltops and metal tools or equipment
• In the open, it is safer to get as low to the ground as possible and avoid bodies of water.
• If a worker is operating a mower or tractor with ground contact implements, the machine is to be left and no person is to be within a fifty-metre distance.

1.12 Works Risks

• Course employees always have the right of way.
• Fairway and rough maintenance - players must wait for an approaching vehicle or mower to pass behind, or out of range, before playing their shots. Alternatively, golfers may be called up by the operator to play.

1.13 Incidents and Near Misses

All incidents and near misses must be reported to the Golf Shop or HSW Manager immediately or following the conclusion of the game.

1.14 Greens maintenance

If a green is being worked upon by staff, and the flagstick is not in the hole, players are not to hit to the green until the flagstick is replaced and the green is cleared, or they have been called up.

1.15 Other situations

Spraying of pesticides, fungicides and other chemicals is an essential part of course maintenance. Warning signs regarding spraying will be displayed when chemicals are in use. Members or visitors are advised that it is at their own discretion if they choose to use the course on days when chemicals have been applied.

1.16 RAGGC Covid-19 Vaccination Policy

As a condition of entry to the Club’s premises (all areas of the Club’s property including the Clubhouse, Course and Driving Range) all Staff, Volunteers, Members, Member’s Guests, Contractors, and other workers aged 12 and over, must be fully vaccinated. Copies of Vaccination Passports are requested by the Club before coming on site. Refer to the Covid-19 Vaccination Policy for further information.