Golf Course policy

            INTRODUCTION
Burghill Valley Golf Course is built on a fruit farm in part of the beautiful Herefordshire countryside; originally a 9 whole course later becoming extended to the full 18 as it is today.
Retaining many original features, the gentle rolling fairways are set amongst Cider Orchards and small areas of woodland.  
Two Public roads divide it; there are two lakes, a dewpond and many open surface water ditches.
You will also see an array of wildlife.
       Burghill Valley Golf Club Ltd. take Health and Safety very seriously and are continually reviewing risk assessments of the Golf Club and Golf Course in order to minimize the risk of harm to  Staff, Members, Visitors, Contractors and indeed Members of the Public using any of the facilities.
It is therefore vitally important that All Staff, Members, Visitors, Contractors and Members of the Public using the Facilities are aware of the dangers and act accordingly.  It is equally important they also pay attention to all signs and notices whilst using the facilities and report any matters they believe present a hazard not covered by this assessment.
GENERAL
           Practising is strictly limited to the ‘Designated Practice Areas’ of the golf course, which are: 
The Putting Green at the rear of the Clubhouse.
Practice Nets at the rear of the 18th green.
The Chipping Green to the right of the 18th green.
The Practice Area opposite the 10th tee.
            Practising on any other areas is prohibited.
You are advised to exercise caution at all times be aware that whilst on the golf course you are at potential risk of being hit by a golf ball.  Please follow the advice on notices placed at recognised high-risk areas of the course.
Some blind holes have a vertical black and white coloured marker post indicating the central width of the fairway. Bells are also provided on some holes which you should ring to inform golfers on the tee behind you that you have reached a safe distance for them to play their shot.
Please use pathways where provided and flat areas whenever possible to avoid slips, trips and falls.  If you must access an uneven or sloping area, take the route of least unevenness or minimum slope.  If in doubt do not do it.
Buggies and trolleys should not be taken on to a tee or green or their surrounds.  Where ever possible drive the buggy on the buggy paths or the semi rough and cross the fairway at 90 degrees.  Please do not take buggies into the long rough and refrain from sharp cornering.
Take particular care when moving around the course particularly in wet or frosty conditions. Steps and bridges on the course should be used with great care and where provided please use the handrail.
Extreme caution is required whilst moving around the two lakes, dewpond, many ditches and the bunkers. All of the above can become deep with surface water following heavy rainfall. Please do not attempt to cross these without using the bridges provided.
At times the greens staff may rope off or otherwise designate a route around a certain hazard.  You must adhere to these changes in route at all times and not cross any barriers.
Please be aware of shots rebounding in the orchards or wooded areas and in the late summer be aware of apples which can fall from the trees.
Only play a shot when you are sure, that other players, members of the public and green staff are out of range or if they are within range make sure they are aware you are about to play the shot.  If in doubt don’t play it. 
Should a golf ball for whatever reason be heading in the direction of another person you must shout ’ FORE’ in a loud voice to alert that person of potential danger. 
If the word ‘FORE’ is heard whilst on the course you must take evasive action if required.
Please ensure if a shot is blind, you only play it once you have satisfied yourself it is safe to do so.
Do not warm up or take practice swings in close proximity to others.  Always stand well to the side and behind any golfer taking a shot.
You are advised to exercise caution when playing or walking through the orchards and wooded areas.  Loose and fallen branches and other obstructions will be removed whenever possible but Burghill Valley Golf Club cannot be held responsible for natural conditions prevailing at any given time. 
It is recommended that all golfers be adequately insured against the risks of playing golf including injury to himself / herself or a third party.
Please be aware that a large number of Bridle and Footpaths cross the golf course. Users of these are given right of way.
Climbing over boundary fences or through hedges, or into water features is strictly prohibited.  If you are not able to retrieve a ball without risk of harm to yourself then leave the ball.
Wildlife at Burghill is plentiful and yes beautiful to observe, however from time to time these animals change in characteristics and can become very protective of their young.  Please give them a wide birth when with their young.
In the event that you come across any injured or dead Wildlife please inform a member of staff at your earliest convenience who will instigate removal and disposal.
The Green Staff may be on the course working ahead of your position and sometimes may not be aware of your presence.  Please be careful and courteous to them at all times ensuring you have made them aware of your intention and they have acknowledged you before playing in to their proximity.  Please allow them to complete their task after which they will move to safety and allow you to play your shot.
You are advised that our green staff on the course uses from time to time chemicals.  In the event of this a sign will be clearly displayed by the 1st tee ‘SPRAYING IN OPERATION’.
               CESSATION OF PLAY DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER
When weather is particularly severe or there is a threat of thunder and lightening, staff at  Burghill Valley Golf Club may deem it necessary to suspend play.  A single long blast of an air horn will sound indicating that all play and work on the course must cease and those playing return to the Clubhouse and those working return to their Departmental building.  All persons will be instructed when it is safe to return on to the course.
Should you decide to abandon play prior to the horn sounding please use recognised routes back to the Clubhouse, others may still be playing.
  FOG AND LOW VISIBILITY
The Black and White Marker Post is clearly visible on the 1st fairway during normal weather                      conditions.  If the Marker Post is not clearly visible due to Fog or other adverse weather conditions the Course Management team will temporarily close the course.  A sign stating "COURSE CLOSED" will be displayed at the entrance to the 1st Tee and at the entrance to the Practice area.
Should early morning golfers find visibility poor as outlined above but no sign is displayed DO                    NOT enter the Course or any of its Practice areas until such time the visibility improve
              
           SPECIFIC   HAZARDS IDENTIFIED WITH BURGHILL VALLEY GOLF COURSE.
Care must be taken at every hole as outlined in the general points above. 
1st hole: 
Drive is blind so please use the elevated observation point at the left of the tees to ensure that players in front and using the adjacent 18th hole are out of range. 
For shots to the green be aware of golfers on the 17th green situated behind the 1st, and houses to the right of the green.
2nd hole:
Be aware of golfers on the adjacent 18th hole to the left, 4th tee to the right and the 3rd hole forward and on the right.
For shots on to the green be aware of the track and house situated behind the green.            
3rd hole (par 3):
Be aware of golfers coming in your direction on the 2nd and teeing off from the 4th situated left and rear of the green.
4th hole:
Be aware of golfers on the 3rd hole to the left and do not tee off until the 5th green on your right is clear. 
The drive is blind so give golfers in front plenty of time to get out of range.
When playing on to the green please be aware of golfers on and around the 5th tee situated to the right and activity around the 6th green behind.
                     5th hole:
Be aware of golfers using the 6th and 4th holes playing in your direction. 
Observe any golfing activity in the plantations between the above.
When playing on to the green be aware of people on and around the adjacent 4th and 6th tee.
6th hole:
Whilst on the tee be aware of golfers teeing off on the 17th  and incoming balls towards your location.
The drive is blind so give golfers in front plenty of time to get out of range they will ring a bell to indicate they are safe.
Take care near the lake on the right hand side particularly more so in wet and frosty conditions. Similarly take care around the ditches, use the pedestrian bridge provided to the left and for buggy use the bridge on the right.  Please use the scoops provided to retrieve balls from the ditch.
When playing onto the green be aware of golfers on and around the 5th tee, and golfers walking towards and using the 16th tees.
When leaving the green please observe activity on the 16th tees and when safe to do so make your way across the bridge and use 'CAUTION' to cross the public road to the 7th tee.
 7th hole:
When teeing off please be aware of the house situated directly behind the tee and the public road adjacent to the hole on the right.  Observe activity in the orchard to your left golfers may be approaching and playing shots on the 15th.
Golfers will also pass in front of the tee when leaving the 15th hole to the left.
Please be aware of the deep ditch to the right between the orchard and the service track.  It is fenced on the trackside but not in the orchard.
When playing onto the green be aware of the bungalow to the right and the 8th tees to the right of the green.
                   8th hole (par 3):
When teeing off please be aware of the bungalow situated directly behind the tee and the public road adjacent to the hole on the right.
Take care around the ditches and should you need to cross the left ditch please use the pedestrian bridge approximately half way along the fairway.
Please use the  track to access the Course toilets and the 9th tees.  Do not short cut behind the 13th green due to in coming balls.
9th hole:
Three tees for the 9th hole.  Please use steps where provided taking particular in wet and frost conditions.
Be aware of the steep banking leading to the lake on the on the left hand side.  
On leaving the green follow the service track paying attention to golfers teeing off on the 13th.
Take particular care crossing the public road to the 10th tee.  Vehicles using this road can be travelling at speed. Mirrors are provided to assist your vision.
Having crossed the road is aware of vehicles entering and leaving the car park for the practice area.
10th hole:
Whilst teeing off be aware of people behind who are leaving the 12th green and the practice area.
The drive is blind so give golfers in front plenty of time to get out of range, they will ring a bell when in relative safety.
Be aware of golfers on the 11th hole and wayward balls travelling in your direction.
Please sound the bell to alert golfers on the tee that you are out of range.
Please be aware that the shallow swale in front of the green can hold surface water and during winter months may be soggy under foot.  Please use the  track between the left hand side of the green and the orchard to access the green.
11th hole:
Only tee off when golfers in front are out of range.
Be aware of golfers using the 10th hole and wayward balls travelling in your direction.
When playing on to the green be aware of golfers using the 12th tees or waiting to use them. 
12th hole (par 3)
Please use steps where provided to access the elevated tees.
In wet and frosty conditions take care on the tees and on the steep surrounds of the green in particular at the rear and right hand side.
Please exit the 12th green via the track allowing golfers on the 10th tee to tee off unless you are waved on by.
Take particular care crossing the public road to the 13th tee. Vehicles using this road can be travelling at speed. Mirrors are provided to assist your vision.
            13th hole:
Please be aware of people passing behind you from the 9th hole and be aware of golfers on and around the 9th green.
Be careful by the ditch adjacent to the tee on the left.
Take care near to the lake on the left hand side in particular in wet and frosty conditions.
Playing on to the green be observant of golfers leaving the green onto the 14th tees situated to the right and also to use the course toilets situated adjacent to the green on the left.
14th hole (par 3):
Allow the golfers to leave the green and enter the 15th tee before teeing off.
Be aware of the ditch and dewpond situated on the left.
            15th hole:
Be aware of golfers approaching the 7th green and wayward balls travelling into your proximity.
Please be aware of golfers on the 7th playing out of the plantation on your left.
When playing on to the green please be careful around the ditch on the right particularly in wet and frosty conditions.
Whilst leaving the green please be aware of golfers teeing off on the 7th tees.
Take care whilst crossing the Public road to the 16th.
Having crossed the road please be aware of any golfers teeing off on the 16th to your right and golfers playing on to the 6th green in front of you.
16th hole:
When teeing off allow golfers to finish putting on the 6th green and allow them to make their way to safety.
Be aware of people coming in to play from your left and those approaching the 6th green on your right. 
Also be aware of wayward balls travelling into your proximity from the 6th.
When playing on to the green please be aware of golfers on the 17th tees.
            17th hole:
When driving off the tee please be aware of golfers on the 6th tee ahead and to the right.
Please be aware of the 2nd, 18th tees and the 1st green when playing on to the green.
            18th hole:
Please be aware of golfers using the 2nd tee on your right.
Be aware of golfers on the 1st and 2nd fairways.
Be aware of wayward balls coming in to your proximity from the 1st.
Please be aware that that the hole is divided by an access road to the Course Management Centre and is used frequently by vehicles and pedestrians. 
Please ensure before playing on to the green golfers in front have left and are safe.