Solicitors Resource Centre

There are many types of accidents but the vast majority of claims arise from errant shots on golf courses, unsafe course design and rebounds on driving ranges.

In order to understand whether conditions were reasonably safe at the time of the accident, it is necessary to complete an audit of conditions.

DESIGN SAFETY GUIDANCE

Is there are design guidance on safety on a golf course?

The only comprehensive design safety guidance publicly available in the UK is the publication Golf Course Design - Safety Guidelines.

I was the author of that document which was published by a PGA of Great Britain and Ireland subsidiary on behlf of the PGA.

The guidelines can be used to complete a safety audit of any location on or around the golf course.

DUTY OF CARE

Can you establish a Duty of Care in case of an accident?

Yes. Whether it is a common Duty of Care or a specific question related to Occupiers Liability, an opinion on Duty of Care is Normally contained within a CPR35 Expert Witness Report.

ERRANT SHOTS

Errant shots resulting in personal injury

Issues which may arise include

competency checks
experience
layout of the course and safety cages
knowingly putting yourself in harm's way
Local and Club Rules
Warnings

Errant shots resulting in damage to property or nuisance

Issues may arise when errant balls leave the confines of the golf course or where teh planning of the course does not allow sufficient space for reasonable safety around the clubhouse, maintenance building or property within the golf course.

Possibly the worst case in my experience involved an errant shot leaving a course, smashing a conservatory window and injuring a baby sleeping in a cot.

Errant shots may require an errant golf ball liability Expert Witness Report.

OTHER ACCIDENT TYPES

Being hit by a golf club

Although much less frequent than errant golf ball incidents, being hit by a club may involve knowingly putting oneself in harms way and require an Expert Witness Report dealing with personal injury from being hit by a club.

Slips Trips and falls

Common causes may involve

Wet bridges
Uneven paths
Steps
Tree roots
Steep slopes
Car parks

Cart accidents

Golf carts are a major source of litigation. Solicitors needs experts who understand cart maintenance, cart path design and fleet management.

Common cart accident issues include

competency checks
defective design of cart paths
maintenance of cart paths and carts
golf cart roll over incidents
carrying extra people
alcohol and drug misuse
steep slopes

Golf Cart accidents are dealt with in greater detail on the Insights page.

Image of plane crash on golf course copyright Ramoslaw

Facility Accidents

Bob has practiced as an architect for many years and understands both the design and maintenance of buildings.

Accidents involving facilities may require a Premises Expert Witness Report and an Operational Risk Assessment depending on the situation.

Worker accidents

There are very many causes of maintenance staff accidents.

From experience, training and breaches of safe working practices and risk taking form the basis of most accidents.

The Health and safety at Work Act 1974 and the management of Health and safety at Work Regulations are important pieces of legislation in any worker incident.

Risk Assessments often play a part but each accident can be analysed and recreated if necessary in order to understand liability.

Accidents may involve working methods, work at heights, work with lack of qualification, work with machinery, machinery maintenance, chemical storage and application.

Such accidents will require often my services as an Expert Witness with knowledge of legislation, design and maintenance procedures.

DRIVING RANGE ACCIDENTS

Common types of Accident

Being struck by a rebounding ball
Standing in front of a tee position
Walking on to the outfield
Falling from multi-storey ranges
Walking into the back of an occupied bay
Failed range netting
Unreasonable behaviour
Unsuitable netting

Is there any design guidance on Driving Range safety?

Yes. Golf Ranges - a Design Guide was published jointly by the PGA and The Organisation of Golf Range Owners. I was the author of that publication which was publicly available until 2026.

Are you aware of Health and Safety Legislation?

I am fully aware of not only legislation but also H&S Guidance as applied to golf courses. Further details on legislation may be found in one of the Artucles on the Insights page

I have lectured to The British Institute of Golf Greenkeepers on Health and Safety as well as having carried out many Risk and COSHH Assessments internationally.