What safety measures to take on golf courses?

Two things are vital on greens – meticulous ground keeping and player safety. Unsurprisingly, courses are classified as places receiving the public (ERP in French). To obtain permission to open, its design must protect the people using it (1)… but not only just that! Other specific measures apply.

Signposting on the course for the players – and all other users

Courses must be designed to protect players and also other users and nearby buildings. To put it another way, you have to protect the neighbours. It is advisable to install fences, posts and other means for demarcation to signpost the limits of the grounds. You could also lay out a path for walkers to stroll around the course safely.    

Avoiding lightening

Lightning can have a major impact on buildings, facilities and also, and particularly, on golfers. It is a fact that golf course layouts attract lightening - especially when reaching for the sky during a swing! To protect players, you can install storm sensors, lightening conductors on buildings and shelters on the course (ideally equipped with defibrillators and first aid kits) for players caught in storms some way from the club-house.    

And when using practice greens?

Practice greens must be safe for players and also for those waiting to play. To ensure safety:

• practice dimensions must enable golfers to train without touching other golfers
• practice booths must be big enough to prevent ricochets from the roofs (although small, golf balls can cause a lot of damage!)
• install a safety net around the practice area.

Ensuring the safety of a golf course can be a tough job as there a so many risks to ward against. By taking the appropriate measures, you will prevent the accidents encountered on the green !

(1) L. 123-1 à L. 123-4 et Art. R*123-2 à R*123-17 of the French Code de la construction et de l'habitation