Golf - A Risky Game ?

Following the publication of two articles on August 2000 relating to health and safety on the golf course, we invited Richard Tolley and Peter Roxburgh, to provide us with the insurer’s view.

To most Golf Club members and players, golf is an enjoyable game played with very little risk to themselves or others. The most Golf Club employees and officials, golf is similarly a risk free environment in which they spend their working days. So, why is that the word “risk” keeps occurring in more and more conversations about the operation of golf courses and Clubs ?

Certainly, the recently well reported incident of the lady golfer who was blinded in one eye, after her ball rebounded off a stone on the course, and then sued the greenkeeper for failing to make the golf course safe, has sharply focused the mind of those responsible for golf course safety. Fortunately in this incident, despite having only limited vision in her other eye, the Court in their judgement deemed that the Head Greenkeeper had done everything possible to ensure the safety of golfers and subsequently no liability was attached.

For those individual Golf Clubs insured through the EGU and SGU approved ‘Golflinks’ scheme some comfort could be drawn from the fact their insurance cover would have provided Public Liability cover had the Club in the above incident been liable. This policy would have indemnified not only the Golf Club as an entity in its own right but also the greenkeeper as an employee of the Club, and additionally member to member liability should this have been required.

Whilst the judgement in the above case has seen common sense prevail, it also raises a major question in how many other obstacles currently on a golf course may be the causation of the next major accident where blame could be attached to an individual. In addition to the potential liability issues relating to a typical round of golf, how many other serious risk exposures also exist on a golf course ? The job of greenkeeping, as well as becoming more and more technical, also introduces greenkeeping staff to a wide variety of risk exposure areas.

Incidents relating to accidents involving golf course maintenance machinery are becoming ever more frequent. The details surrounding the greenkeeper who died when his machine toppled over whilst mowing the edge of a bunker are well documented and there are numerous other reports of serious accidents and incidents. Whenever man and machines come together, the opportunity for an accident is created and unfortunately the nature of golf course maintenance equipment is such that when accidents do occur they can result in serious injury.

The major causes of these accidents are often lack of attention, forgetfulness or disregard/lack of proper safety procedures. Safety on the golf course has to become a state of mind ! The use of machinery is only one area where significant risk exposures occur. The daily use of chemicals and pesticides, the manual handling of equipment and goods, the preparation of food, the use of driving ranges and golf carts, maintenance buildings, all represent potential areas of risk. Ensuring health and safety on and at a golf course is a complex issue which involves compliance with a wide variety of health and safety legislation and regulations.

Reactive reliance on good insurance cover to deal with the consequences of these risks is no longer acceptable in this current environment. General awareness of individuals rights are increasing and with this comes far greater volumes of compensation claims for injuries and losses. The regulatory requirements are similarly becoming evermore stringent with an increase in inspections of golf courses by local authority inspectors and a push for more prosecutions and grater fines. A far more pro-active approach by golf courses is required when it comes to risk awareness and risk control.

A formal procedure for risk assessments should be in place, covering all aspects of day-to-day activities. this should identify not only potential risk exposure areas but also the adequacy of the control measures in place to deal with the identified risks. When establishing a risk management approach it is vital that this encompasses al the various elements of a modern day golf course - from course preparation through to corporate hospitality. Remember that safety on a golf course is everyone’s business.

Golf, a risky game - it shouldn’t be !

For further details, contact Richard Tolley (0121 452 1389) or Peter Roxburgh, Marsh Sports Group, Mount Pleasant House, Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1NY. Tel. 01892 553160. Fax. 01892 553161. Marsh Sports Group provide a full range of risk consulting services from strategic business profiles to health and safety audits, security surveys, employment risk reviews and client training.