Golf Safety

Introduction to Golf Safety

The importance of safety must never be underestimated.

Golf clubs and balls are potentially dangerous items of equipment if not used correctly. Every precaution should be taken to ensure the use of these items is supervised. You, the Community Coach therefore have the legal responsibility to ensure equipment is used appropriately and that your students are learning in a safe environment.

Essential safety rules for golf activities at golf clubs and schools: 

 

• Check that the playing area is free from obstacles or items that may cause harm.
• Always conduct a warm up session before commencing golf swing activities.
• Leave clubs on the ground when not in use, e.g. when collecting golf balls.
• Use a signal e.g. a whistle, to cease activities.
• Teach children to stop and look before each swing.
• Swinging of clubs should only take place in designated safe swinging areas.
• Ensure no one is within at least 3 metres when swinging a club.
• While instructing or organising, children should hold their clubs by the head to discourage swinging.
• Group sizes should be limited to two or three for activities and games. Only one student in the group should be using a club; the others should be in designated safety areas.
• Ensure during ball pick up that no clubs are used. Clubs should be left in the safe swing area.
• Ensure ball pick up is conducted as a group activity as opposed to individually.
• Ensure that ball pick up is not commenced until each child has finished hitting.
• Ensure equipment is maintained in good, safe condition e.g. grips are clean and in good condition, shafts are free from kinks and rust and club heads are fixed correctly to the shaft.
• Position left handers at the far right hand end of the hitting zone facing the target.

“FORE”

This is golf’s universal warning signal to take cover. It should be yelled out if a ball is hit towards another player.

NOTE: “FORE” is in no way a substitute for general safety precautions