The following information identifies the main hazards that members and visitors to Alresford Golf Club may encounter while playing, practising or walking the golf course. It does not contain a definitive list of hazards, as by the very nature of the game of golf, it is impossible to eliminate every risk entirely.

• All golfers are responsible for the safety of themselves, playing partners and members of the public who may be on the golf course or footpaths, when playing on the course. No golfer should play if their playing partners are standing close by or in a position where they may be hit by a ball or club. No golfer should play a shot towards the group playing ahead until they are out of range, and it is safe to do so – extra care MUST be taken when weather conditions make visibility poor.
• Golfers must always be mindful of hitting balls towards other golfers or walkers. If you can not see where your shot is going to land (especially if not on your fairway!), you MUST shout ‘FORE’ to warn any fellow golfers who may be in danger, especially if the landing area is obscured by trees or bushes

In particular the following blind shots

• • 1^st hole : wait for the bell
  • 3^rd hole ; ensure green is clear before playing over brow of hill towards the green
  • 3^rd hole ; be aware of tee shots from the 7^th tee , RHS of fairway
  • 4^th hole ; shout ‘FORE’ if tee shot heads towards footpath on RHS of fairway
  • 5^th hole ; shout ‘FORE’ if tee shot heads left towards the 4^th hole and any players approaching the 4^th green
  • 7^th hole ; shout ‘FORE’ if tee shot heads right towards the 3^rd fairway
  • 7^th hole ; ensure green is clear before playing over brow of hill towards the green.
  • 10^th hole ; shout ‘FORE’ if tee shot head left towards 11^th
  • 12^th hole; ensure fairway and footpath is clear before playing over brow of hill towards green
  • 14^th hole ; ensure green is clear if attempting to drive the green
  • 15^th hole; ensure green is clear if attempting to drive the green
  • 16^th hole ; ensure footpath is clear before teeing off (this is a ‘call up’ hole).
  • 17^th hole ; ensure no walkers are on the footpaths (both RHS & LHS of fairway at brow of the hill) – use the mirror behind the tee and wait for bell to sound before teeing off if cutting corner of dogleg
  • 18^th hole ; ensure group in front is visible near green before teeing off as vision is obscured as the tee shot is uphill slightly.

• All golfers MUST obey any erected signage and be aware of other players and greenkeeping staff on the course at all times. Do not play toward greenkeeping staff until you are certain they are aware of you and moved aside.
• Several of our tee boxes are raised and access is via steps. Please use the steps to avoid wearing away the banks but take care to walk only on the steps. Do not step on the bare wooden sleepers which can be very slippery when wet or icy.
• Please consider your personal safety at all times especially when using the steps or walking on slopes / banks in wet weather and when the ground underfoot is wet, slippery or icy. Motorised trollies can be difficult to control in wet and muddy conditions – keep to the paths and flat areas of the course. Do not take trollies across banks or sloping areas around the greens as they and you are liable to slip and slide.
• All players must discontinue play if there is a risk of lightning and return to the clubhouse. We do NOT operate a klaxon warning system except during major competitions (when players will be informed of this). It is the responsibility of individual players to suspend play and return to the clubhouse should weather conditions dictate.
• There are viewing platforms on the 1^st and 17^th holes – please use them to check the group in front is out of range and walkers are not using the footpaths

First Aid

In the event of injury or accident, First Aid kits are located in the Pro-Shop, Administration Office, Bar and Kitchen. Greenstaff carry small first aid kits on motorised equipment.

A defibrillator is located in the clubhouse foyer.

Should you require assistance on the course please contact a member of staff – contact details are on the scorecard. Please report any accidents or injuries occurring on the course to the General Manager.

Car Park

Please be careful when entering or leaving the car park to follow the directional signage. Cars must only be parked in the designated bays. An overflow area (rear of driving range) is available for use when the main car park is full. It must only be used on these occasions. Excessive speed is to be avoided at all times due to the traffic of trolleys and buggies to and from the 1^st tee and 18^th tee.

In the winter the car park and surrounding paths will be gritted, but even so frosty mornings will make them slippery – please take extra care.

Wildlife

The location of the course on the chalk downland means that like many golf courses there is always danger associated with animals and wildlife. Although the green keeping staff endeavour to fill in animal holes and scrapes, please be aware that there will always be some on the course and take care where you are walking. The area of rough between the 4^th and 5^th holes has large areas of ant mounds – take care when walking where the surface is uneven. Players should also be aware that there is often a potential threat from wasps, bees and other biting insects (ants and ticks) particularly in areas of long grass. Players are advised to wear trousers or long socks in the summer and use insect repellent.

Public Footpaths

There are several public footpaths that cross the golf course and are marked by signs on the tees and signposts on the course.

Non-golfers may be on the golf course and so golfers MUST give way to walkers to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

Key areas are:-

• 2^nd Hole – the footpath runs in front of the green. This is clearly visible from the tee.
• 8^th Hole – the footpath runs across the fairway towards the 2^nd green at the end of the left handside copse of trees. Walkers can be difficult to spot when entering the course from the left hand field.
• 12^th Hole – the footpath crosses the course between the trees from both left and right on the brow of the hill and again in front of Curly’s Barn and the 12^th green.
• 13^th Hole – the footpath crosses between the Men’s and Ladies tee.
• 15^th Hole – the footpaths runs behind the hedgerow on the left handside of the tee and fairway. Be aware of walkers and golfers before teeing off.
• 16^th Hole – WARNING – the footpath crosses the hole about 25 yards in front of the ladies tee.
• 17th Hole – the footpath crosses the fairway from the right handside copse of trees towards the 2^nd hole. Walkers can be obscured by these trees.

Chemicals & Fertilisers

A notice on the Information Board on the path to the 1^st tee will advise of days when chemicals have been applied on the course. Always wash your hands after play.

Safe use of buggies

All users must be familiar with the operation of their buggy (both forward / reverse gears, emergency braking and stopping) before taking the buggy onto the golf course. All hire buggies must be operated in accordance with our guidelines and hirers must sign to agree to this terms and conditions.

The following guidelines apply throughout the course ;

• Please take care when driving through the car park or on the area in front of the Pro-Shop.
• Always consider the terrain and weather factors when driving the buggy, avoid sudden braking or changes in direction that may result in loss of control. Be extra careful when the grass is wet and muddy and allow extra braking distance.
• Always engage the parking brake when leaving the buggy.
• DO NOT drive or park within 2m of any Bunker.
• DO NOT drive or park within 2m of any Green.
• DO NOT drive or park within 0.5 m of any Tee..
• DO NOT drive between a green and a bunker.
• DO NOT drive across, up or down a slope of any kind (except where a path is provided).
• DO NOT drive through areas of rough, particularly where the grass is long and tufted ( between 3^rd and 17^th , 3^rd and 8^th , 4^th and 5^th )
• Please stay on hard paths wherever provided.
• All drivers must use the gate to the 4^th Tee (not the gap in hedge in front of 15^th Tee).
• DO NOT drive on a fairway other than the one they are playing.
• DO NOT drive on any part of the practice range or chipping area.
• DO NOT exceed the carrying capacity of the buggy (either by carry passengers or additional bags)
• Under no circumstances should golf trolleys be towed.
• DO NOT use the buggy for any other purpose than it is designed for.

Reviewed June 2022