Golf Buggy Policy

This policy document explains The Radcliffe-on-Trent Golf Clubs’ buggy and motorised vehicle use legal responsibilities, England Golf’s expectations, and the practical approaches taken to balance accessibility, safety and course protection. This guidance is aimed at making us more inclusive and equitable in our efforts to encourage as much participation in the game as possible for all, our document is regularly reviewed to help us keep up with industry best practices and England Golf Guidelines, we make it transparent and it is available for members to view and discuss with us.

What has changed in this updated policy

England Golf has updated its Buggy and Motorised Transport Policy and we have acted immediately to conform with the latest guidance, to help clubs manage buggy use lawfully, fairly and consistently. This updated policy places greater emphasis on:

• Reasonable adjustments for disabled golfers as a starting point, not an exception.
• Avoiding blanket buggy bans unless objectively justified.
• Managing buggy use through traffic controls and designated routes rather than prohibition.
• Using independent evidence, including STRI (or agronomist expertise) research, to support decisions.
• Transparency, consistency and record-keeping in how restrictions are applied.

Legal Responsibilities

• Equality Act 2010

Disability is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. Golf clubs must not discriminate against disabled golfers and must make reasonable adjustments where a disabled person would otherwise be placed at a substantial disadvantage.

Allowing the use of a buggy is often a key reasonable adjustment for golfers who cannot reasonably play without one.

• Reasonable Adjustments in Practice

Making reasonable adjustments is a central requirement of the Equality Act 2010. For many disabled golfers, the ability to use a buggy or other motorised transport is essential to participation.

England Golf expects clubs to treat buggy use for disabled golfers as a core reasonable adjustment, unless there are genuine and proportionate safety or course protection reasons why access cannot be provided. Decisions should be individual, evidence-based and recorded.

• Health and Safety

Clubs also have duties to manage health and safety risks. These duties must be balanced with equality obligations. Restrictions on buggy use must therefore be proportionate, evidence-based and applied fairly.

England Golf Expectations

England Golf expects clubs to:

• Make reasonable adjustments so disabled golfers are not excluded from play.
• Avoid blanket buggy bans unless they can be objectively justified.
• Manage buggy use through proportionate controls, not assumptions.
• Apply policies consistently and record decisions.
• Publish clear buggy and motorised transport policies for members and visitors.

General Play and Competition Play

Clubs must consider buggy use separately for general play and competitions.

• General Play

Clubs should review their policies to ensure reasonable adjustments are made for disabled golfers during general play. England Golf has produced guidance to support clubs and members in having constructive discussions about access.

• Competition Play

England Golf wants everyone to be able to take part in competitions. Where a golfer requires a buggy because of disability, they must be authorised to use one, even where competitions are normally played on foot. Equality law overrides competition conditions

Blanket Bans

Blanket bans on buggies are high risk.

Where a course remains playable on foot, it is very difficult to justify excluding golfers who require a buggy. Restrictions should instead be targeted, time-limited and supported by evidence, such as hole-specific safety or course condition concerns

Managing Buggy Use and Course Protection

Rather than banning buggies outright, England Golf encourages clubs to manage their use in a way that balances accessibility, safety and course protection. Restrictions should be proportionate, evidence-based and targeted at specific risks, rather than applied as blanket measures.

Traffic light restriction systems are one effective way of achieving this. These typically operate as follows:

• Green means no restrictions on buggy use;
• Amber means restricted access, with priority given to disabled golfers who require a buggy; and
• Red means severe restrictions, where some areas or holes may be closed to buggies, but partial access should be maintained for disabled golfers where possible.

Clubs are also encouraged to use designated buggy routes and to carry out hole-by-hole assessments, particularly in adverse weather. Course conditions often vary across different parts of the course, and targeted restrictions can help protect vulnerable areas without unnecessarily excluding golfers who rely on a buggy.

Clear daily communication is essential so that members and visitors understand what access is available, which routes must be followed, and how any restrictions apply. We have adopted a traffic light system of restrictions to be easy to understand

Course Damage and STRI Research

Independent research commissioned from the Sports Turf Research Institute shows:

• No significant difference in compaction or damage between conventional two-seater buggies and smaller single-seater mobility buggies.
• A small impact on course conditions during wet weather.
• Course protection is best achieved through sensible use, designated routes and controlled speeds.

This evidence makes blanket bans difficult to justify in most circumstances

Hiring, Charging and Disability

Buggy fees will depend on what is reasonable in all circumstances, including number of holes open and being played and the effectiveness of the adjustment. We aim to take a fair and inclusive approach.

The Radcliffe-on-Trent Golf Club “Traffic light Restriction System” policy for buggy use, adopted February 2026 following advice and guidance from England Golf. (Reviewed and updated regularly in accordance with latest guidelines and industry best practices).

This easy to understand policy provides a simple and transparent process for managing buggy and motorised transport use in varying course and weather conditions. It ensures decisions are reasonable and equitable for all, consistent, evidence-based, fair, and recorded

Sample Medical Certification

To: The General Manager
Radcliffe on Trent Golf Club
Radcliffe on Trent
Nottingham
NG12 2JH

I, Dr……………………………………………………of……………………………………….……….
…………………………..………………………………………………………………………………..

Certify that I have examined ………………………………………………………………….

and am of the opinion that he/she has a disability within the meaning of the Disability
Discrimination Legislation and is unable to play or has undue difficulty in playing golf without
the use of a motorised Golf Buggy.

Signature…………………………………………………………………Date…………………………

ADMINISTRATION

In respect of Privately Owned Buggies, The General Manager will retain on file a fully
completed and signed “Golf Buggy Safety Policy Acknowledgement Form”, together with
Medical Certification as per the example above. The General Manager will also ensure that
the Pro Shop Staff have an up-to-date copy of the register of Authorised Buggy Users for
whom documents are held on file and to whom authorisation has been granted for use of a
Privately Owned Buggy.

Golf Buggy Safety Policy Acknowledgement Form

This form must be completed by all golfers prior to operating a Golf Buggy

Any person who accepts the privilege of operating a Golf Buggy on Radcliffe on Trent Golf
Club (RoTGC) premises is deemed, by so doing, to have the knowledge, training, and skill to
safely operate the vehicle and shall be fully accountable for their actions and consequences
thereof.

The safe operation of Golf Buggies on the Courses requires conscientious application and
adherence to the minimum standard of care prescribed by this policy.

Name: …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Address:…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

By signing below, I acknowledge that:

• I have read the RoTGC Buggy Safe Working Practice.

• I understand the terms and conditions of the RoTGC Buggy Safety Policy.

• I have been provided with the opportunity to ask questions related to this policy.

• I will ensure that the Golf Buggy is maintained and operated in accordance with the RoTGC Buggy Safety Policy.

• I accept that it is my duty alone to ensure that I have sufficient insurance to cover
liability for risks to third parties.

• I agree to indemnify RoTGC against all claims costs and demands made against
RoTGC arising out of or in connection with the use of the Golf Buggy.

Signature: ………………………………………………………………. Date: ……………………….

Users of Club/Private Buggies do so at their own risk. RoTGC will not accept any liability for
any loss or damage to the Club/Private Buggy or any other property arising from the
negligence of the club or any of its servants or agents.