Who is Bob Hunt?

BOB HUNT

Why Bob Hunt is a recognised authority on golf safety.

I am a golf course designer and an independent golf safety expert with over 40 years golf safety experience.

I worked as Technical Director of the design and consulatncy subsidiary of the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland for many years.

I founded Golfsafetyexpert in 1992.

I am Honorary President of one UK Golf Club which was rebuilt to deal with the impending HS2 acquisition of part of their club. 

I have worked in over 50 countries and have lectured on many aspects of golf internationally.

I am Chairman of golf design company International Design Group Ltd and  and was a ​consulting author to the magazine Golf Asia.

Qualifications

I worked as an RIBA qualified architect having been elected to the RIBA in 1976. I have two degrees B A Arch Hons and B Arch Hons.

I was heavily involved in the creation of the largest chain of golf hotels in Europe most of which are now branded Marriott Golf Resorts.

My approach to any Report is based upon a detailed understanding of the real issues facing designers in building reasonably safe golf courses.

Professional Experience

I have designed and routed over 400 golf courses across the world. 

I fully understand that creating absolutely safe golf courses is impossible but that with design care very many incidents on golf courses can be avoided.

I was the consultant to PGA of GB&NI and Belgian PGA on golf  design. 

I have designed award winning golf courses across the world including developments in China, Tobago, South Korea, Lithuania, Norway, Trinidad, Cuba, Turkey, India and Greece, some of which are shown opposite.

Expert Witness Experience

I have acted as Expert Witness in England, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Australia and Spain and given oral evidence in England, Ireland and Spain.

My work has involved cases of 

• personal injury

• damage to property

• falls from multi story driving ranges

• unsafe course design

• unsafe boundary conditions

All Expert Witness Reports have been produced in accordance with the UK requirements of CPR35 or their equivalent.

I have negotiated Joint Reports and acted as independent expert in the production of Joint Party Reports.

Authority

A significant aspect of my expertise is authorship of authoritative publications on golf safety, developed to assist golf clubs, course owners, Insurers, Solicitors and governing bodies in understanding best practice and risk management within the game.

Golf Course Design - Safety Guidelines is the only publicly available comprehensive golf course design safety guidance of its kind. It has been cited internationally in many court cases and legal disputes as the benchmark of reasonably safe golf course design. (Comparable subsequent guidance from the European Institute of Golf Course Architects was never made public). 

Accidents on ranges, although less frequent, can be serious with even a number of deaths reported. The PGA of Great Britain and Ireland commissioned similar research into safety guidance for driving ranges which was published jointly with the Organisation of Golf Range Owners.

As an expert witness, every opinion is based on established industry practice, documented standards, technical knowledge and a detailed examination of the available evidence.

In addition to lecturing on golf, golf safety and golf tourism, I have consulted for the Governments of Turkey, Cyprus, Greece and Cuba.

As a highly experienced golf course designer, I am well aware of the need for safety in golf developments. This is reflected in the four volumes of my book entitled Golf Resorts. 

Clients instructing me benefit from knowledge that extends beyond individual cases to include the wider principles of golf safety developed through years of professional practice, writing and education. I am accredited by The UK Register of Expert Witnesses.

Whether instructed by solicitors, insurers, golf clubs or the courts, every report is prepared with independence, objectivity and attention to technical detail.

Publications and Consultations

I am the researcher and author of the PGA's official guidance on golf course and driving range safety together with very many other publications set out in "Publications". 

The Safety Guidelines were made public unlike similar safety guidelines from the European Institute of Golf Course Architects which were restricted to use by their members and not published.

"Golf Course Design - Safety Guidelines have been used in numerous litigation cases where comprehensive design authority has been sought.

I also acted for the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland in the production of the Best Practice Guide for Practice facilities for Sport England and was a consultant in the production of a publication dealing with golf in historic landscapes for English Heritage.

The Insights page also contains the answers to many detailed questions often asked by Solicitors.

I have produced and delivered very many safety audits and CPR35 Expert Witness Reports world wide as well as giving evidence in Court in England and Spain.