Mahon Golf Course

Cork, Ireland

Health & Safety





INTRODUCTION





Below are details of some of the important health & safety issues that members and visitors to Mahon Golf Course should be aware of. It is not a fully exhaustive list, and people should always be aware of their own, and others, safety when visiting or using our course or other facilities.





REPORTING





Any golf ball struck beyond the course boundary should be reported to the Professional or the Office in every instance





We have a number of holes that border other people’s property:





    

  • To the rear of the 7th green
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  • To the left of the 10th fairway
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  • To the right of the 13th green
    • 




  • To the left of the 14th fairway
    • 




  • To the right of the 18th hole
    • 






Any golf ball that is struck in to these areas should be reported to the Pro Shop at the earliest opportunity.





Any incident resulting in personal injury MUST be reported to the Pro Shop.





GOLF BALL HAZARDS





As a general rule, players should not strike a golf ball until the players in front are out of danger, or when others could be put in danger. If a player plays a ball in a direction where there is a danger of hitting someone, he/she should immediately shout the traditional warning of FORE!





General golf etiquette is that players should not play their shot until the players in front, or in the immediate vicinity, are out of any potential danger. If a player hits a shot and the ball travels in the direction where someone could be in danger of being hit, he/she should shout FORE!





PRIORITY ON THE COURSE





Our green keeping staff always have priority over golfers. If there is a member of the green keeping team in your vicinity you should make sure they are aware of your presence, or have indicated you can proceed before you play your shot. This may include times when they are working on a different hole to the one you are playing.





Due to the location and public nature of Mahon Golf Course, there may be times when members of the public enter the golf course. We ask that you give these people time and space to vacate your playing area before hitting. If you believe that there are people on the course who are putting themselves in danger then please make either a greenkeeper or a member of Pro Shop staff aware.





DANGEROUS WEATHER SITUATIONS





Lightning: The golfing authorities encourage players to take care of their own safety, and Rule 5.7a(ii) permits a player to discontinue play if he/she thinks there is a danger from lightning, even if the course hasn’t been closed by its staff.





If you are on the course and lightning strikes are observed then you should:





Immediate action





    

  1. Seek proper shelter: Head to a safe building or an enclosed hard-top vehicle with windows rolled up (a golf buggy is not suitable for shelter)
    2. 




  2. Head for the clubhouse: This is the best option for safety.
    3. 




  3. Call 999/112 if needed: If someone is struck, report the incident to emergency services immediately. 
    4. 






If you can’t reach shelter





    

  1. Get low to the ground: Crouch in a ball-like position with your head tucked between your knees, minimizing contact with the ground to reduce your risk.
    2. 




  2. Avoid tall objects: Stay away from tall, isolated trees, as they are likely targets for lightning strikes.
    3. 




  3. Avoid water: Get away from ponds, lakes, and any bodies of water.
    4. 




  4. Drop metal objects: Put down your umbrella and golf clubs, and stay away from any metal objects.
    5. 




  5. Stay away from your cart: Golf carts do not provide protection from lightning.
    6. 




  6. Find a safe spot in a group: If you are in a group, spread out to several yards apart to reduce the risk of multiple injuries.
    7. 




  7. Seek shelter in dense woods: If far from shelter, find a dense wooded area with many short trees rather than a lone tall tree. 
    8. 






It is better to get soaked than to risk being struck via an umbrella.





Fog: When heavy fog is present the Head Greenkeeper may make the decision to close the course until it has lifted enough to ensure both the green keeping staff and golfers can use the course safely. This closure will be notified through the normal course closed procedures.





SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS





Our golf course is a traditional parkland layout that means there are numerous slip and trip hazards – especially in wet or icy conditions.





Whilst we don’t enforce golfers wearing proper golf shoes, we would recommend it at all times to ensure you have good grip. If not wearing golf shoes then extra care should be taken, especially when walking up or down any sloping areas.





DEEP WATER & CORK ESTUARY





Players must not enter the estuary or any ponds/marshland under any circumstances.





USE OF BUGGIES





Ride-on buggies must be operated in accordance with our Golf Buggy Safety Policy which are available to view on the Club’s website. Use of the Club’s buggies, or privately owned buggies, is not allowed unless authorised by the Club, and requires signing an Agreement Form.





COMPRESSED AIR





A compressed air shoe cleaner is available for players to use as they leave the course. Compressed air is potentially very hazardous and must be used with caution.





FIRST AID





First Aid assistance may be called, if required, via the Pro Shop. A list of First Aiders is available on the Notice Board.





We have 2 defibrillators for use in the event of a cardiac arrest – one is on the wall of the Pro Shop (by the entrance gate) and the other on the wall next to the toilets on the 9th hole (to the right of the green). The Pro Shop staff along with a number of club members are trained in its use – however time is of the essence so in an emergency please call 999 and contact the Pro Shop on 021 429 2543 after that has been done.





ACCIDENTS AND INSURANCE





All accidents on the club’s premises, and any incidents involving people or vehicles being struck outside the confines of the club must be reported to the Pro Shop.