Transportation

Leicestershire & Rutland Ladies’ County Golf Association

Policy on the Use of Golf Buggies or

“Transportation Policy”

1. Aim of Policy

1.1 The Policy is the Transportation Policy which sets out the circumstances in which golf buggies may be used in major

Competitions organised and managed by the Leicestershire & Rutland Ladies’ County Golf Association..

1.2 The Leicestershire & Rutland Ladies’ County Golf Association wishes to encourage the participation in golf of all

players regardless of disabilities. This Policy is in accordance with the Leicestershire & Rutland Ladies’ County Golf

Association’s obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

2. Definitions

2.1 “Disability” shall have the same meaning as section 1 of the Disability

Discrimination Act 1995. A person has a disability if she has a physical or mental

impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on her ability to

carry out normal day to day activities.

2.2 Any reference to “golf buggy” shall include any vehicle deemed to be a golf

buggy by the L&RLCGA Executive Committee.

2.3 Any reference to “Committee” shall refer to the L&RLCGA Executive Committee with responsibility for taking a

decision on the use of a golf buggy and “member of the Committee” shall be construed accordingly.

2.4 “Valid medical confirmation of disability” shall mean a valid medical certificate

from a registered general practitioner or consultant registered with the Health

Professions Council that the player or caddie is suffering from a disability.

2.5 Major Competitions shall include Championships, County Foursomes, Baxter Trophy, Scratch & Handicap Leagues,

Club Championship Shield Day.

3. Persons who may use a golf buggy

3.1 It shall be a condition of any competition organised by L&RLCGA that players must walk at all times during a

stipulated round, unless permitted to use a golf buggy by a member of the Committee, in accordance with this policy.

The penalty for a breach of this condition is detailed under the Specimen Condition on page 146 of the English edition o

f the 2008-11 Rules of Golf as published by R&A Rules Limited.

3.2 A golf buggy may be used by a player or caddie who can provide a valid current

medical certificate of disability in accordance with this policy and has requested

permission to use a golf buggy by the closing date for any competition in which they seek to enter or caddie.

Where the disability prevents the player from driving the buggy, they may nominate a third party to drive the buggy

for them who must be approved by the Committee in the event that permission is granted.

3.3 The Committee may not without good reasons refuse a request for permission to

use a golf buggy if the criteria in paragraph 3.2, above, are met.

3.4 Where a player is under the age of 18 years and has met the criteria in paragraph 3.2, above, a member of the

Committee shall reserve the right to specify that the golf buggy is driven by another person of that Committee

member’s choice, in the event that a person having parental responsibility for the player is unable or not competent

or qualified to do so.

3.5 In cases where a member of the Committee refuses to permit the use of a golf buggy then he/she shall inform the

player of the decision, the reasons for it, and the right to appeal this refusal to the Appeals Committee in accordance

with this Policy.

4. Conditions in which use of a golf buggy may be permitted

4.1 Where a determination is made that the use of a buggy may be permitted by a player or where appropriate a caddie

or third party to use a golf buggy, a member of the Committee shall have regard to the following additional health

and safety considerations before granting approval:

(a) Any relevant weather conditions;

(b) The topography and ground conditions;

(d) Any other relevant considerations which could impede the safe use of a golf buggy or impact on the safety of others.

4.2 In the event that a member of the Committee believes that for reasons of health and safety a golf buggy should not

be used by players, caddies or third parties at a particular time he/she may:

(a) Refuse to grant permission for the use of a golf buggy, and shall inform the player, caddie or third party of this

of the decision; or

(b) Revoke any such permission in the event of new health and safety considerations having come to light since the

granting of the initial permission to use a golf buggy;

4.3 It will in any event be a requirement of any player, caddie or other third party granted permission to use a buggy to

complete and sign a Transportation Policy Consent Form prior to use.

5. Conditions for use of golf buggies

5.1 A player, caddie or other third party permitted to use a golf buggy must agree to the following terms and conditions of use:

(a) Any person operating a golf buggy must do so with the utmost courtesy, care and consideration for the safety and

convenience of others and in accordance with any relevant golf buggy operating guidelines;

(b) The Committee may require that a golf buggy must not exceed walking pace and/or must not have a covered roof;

has deemed that for reason of age or disability a third party is required to drive the golf buggy;

(d) A golf buggy must not impede or interfere with normal pedestrians or vehicular traffic flow on roadways, ramps

and pavements;

(e) A player who has been granted permission to use a golf buggy (or any caddie or other third party who has been

permitted to drive the golf buggy) must remain seated in the golf buggy at all times while the vehicle is in motion;

(f) Drivers of golf buggies must comply with directional signs and not use prohibited areas including public highways

and pavements;

(g) A player who has been granted permission to use a golf buggy (or any caddie or other third party who has been

permitted to drive the golf buggy) must accept responsibility for any losses or injury sustained as a result of his

or her fault whilst using a golf buggy; and

(h) A player who has been granted permission to use a golf buggy (or any caddie or other third person who has been

permitted to drive the golf buggy) must have adequate personal and third party insurance and must provide a copy of the

certificate of insurance to the L&RLCGA prior to use.

5.2 Failure to agree to the terms and conditions contained in clause 5.1 by signing a Transportation Policy Consent Form

may result in the player, caddie or other third party being denied permission to use a golf buggy.

6. Appeals Procedure

6.1 Any decision by a Committee Member refusing a player or caddie permission to use a golf buggy may be appealed

by the player or caddie to the Appeals Committee which shall comprise three members of the L&RLCGA

Executive Committee.

6.2 An appeal shall be made in writing to the Appeals Committee within 5 working days of the date of the initial

decision. Any written appeal request shall also include a statement by the player or caddie of the reasons why she is

seeking to appeal the decision.

6.3 The Appeals Committee shall make a decision on an appeal and communicate it to the player or caddie within

10 working days of the initial appeal.