Health and Safety at Taupo Golf Club
At Taupo Golf Club, the safety of our members, guests, and staff is our top priority. We have established clear guidelines to minimize risks and ensure a safe, enjoyable experience on our course and within the Clubhouse. Please familiarize yourself with the following procedures.
1. Golfing Risks
A golf course can be a potentially hazardous environment. Members and visitors must always remain vigilant and take precautions to avoid injury.
2. Golf Balls
- Do not hit a golf ball when another player, course worker or range staff is within striking distance unless they have acknowledged your intention.
- Always call “FORE” if your ball is heading toward another person.
- Errant shots that exit the property should be reported to the Golf Shop as soon as possible.
3. Practice Swings
- Maintain at least 5 metres of distance from others when taking practice swings.
4. Golf Carts
For everyone’s safety, users of motorized carts must follow these guidelines:
- Carts must not be driven or parked within 10 metres of a green or 5 metres of a tee.
- Use designated cart paths when available.
- Maximum of two riders per cart.
- Junior 1 Members require prior consent from the Golf Operations Manager to drive a cart. Parents/caregivers can not hire a cart and then let under aged children drive the carts.
- Carts do not have priority over players on foot.
- Medical consent is required to use carts during Club Championships if you are under 50 years of age.
- Carts must be driven responsibly and returned by 5:00 p.m. (6:45 p.m. during daylight saving months from Thursday-Saturday).
- Players hiring a cart must comply with course care policies and sign disclaimer before playing.
- Carts can only be hired by 18+ years of age with a current drivers license.
- The player signing for the cart takes full responsonibilty and is liable for costs for damages.
5. Natural Risks
- Players must abide by daily Club rulings, which will be posted on the local rules board outside the proshop.
6. Fog
- Do not hit a golf ball if you cannot see where it may land. Play may be suspended at discretion of the golf shop staff.
7. Frost
- Golf is not permitted during heavy frost. Frost delays may result in adjusted tee times or cancellations.
8. Windy Conditions
- Play will be suspended if wind speeds exceed 80 km/h for more than 5 minutes. Play will resume when two successive readings show speeds of 70 km/h or less.
9. Wet Conditions
- Be cautious when walking the course, especially on steep slopes, wooden surfaces, and around drains. Golf carts may be unavailable if heavy rain has recently fallen.
10. Defibrillator
- The Club has a defibrillator located in the just outside the main entrance. Staff are trained in first aid and defibrillator use.
11. Lightning Safety
- Players should assess lightning risks and suspend their round if necessary.
- The Golf Operations Manager or Golf Shop Staff may also suspend play. Players must immediately seek shelter.
Safety Guidelines During Lightning:
- Seek shelter in a car or building if possible.
- Avoid wire fences, large trees, hilltops, and water.
- Operators of mowers or tractors should leave the vehicle, ensuring a 50-metre safety distance.
- See Section 16. for sirens to listen out for and what they mean.
12. Course Maintenance Risks
- Course employees always have the right of way.
- Players must wait for maintenance vehicles to pass or be called up before playing their shot.
13. Incidents and Near Misses
- Report all incidents and near misses to the Golf Shop or Golf Operations Manager immediately or at the end of your game.
14. Greens Maintenance
- If staff are working on a green and the flagstick is not in place, do not hit until the flagstick is returned, the green is cleared, or staff call you up.
15. Chemical Applications
- Pesticides, fungicides, and other chemicals are essential to course maintenance.
- Warning signs will be displayed when chemicals are in use. Members and visitors are responsible for their decision to play during these periods.
16. Sirens for Suspension of Play
- 4 second long siren - Suspension of play, please return to the clubhouse.
- Short quick blasts of 1-2 secs and it does not stop, please leave course immediately as this means a seriously incident is happening like a natural distaster.
- 1-2 second siren - Start of a shotgun start or return to the course and resume play. .
Thank you for your cooperation in following these health and safety procedures. Your diligence ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for all at Taupo Golf Club.
Hamish Robertson
Golf Operations Manager