Health and Safety
This document provides an assessment of the risks identified for players, visitors and staff at the Miramar Golf Club, Golf Course and Golf Club car park.
In case of an emergency, call the Golf Shop on 04 801 7651 or dial 111 for Emergency Services, and notify the Golf Shop. Our street location is 1 Stewart Duff Drive, Rongatai, Wellington.
Players are expected to be aware at all times of danger to others and to themselves. Care must always be taken to avoid accidents or injuries to oneself and other players, officials, or staff. A First Aid kit is available in the First Aid room located near the members entrance doorway.
A Defibrillator is located within the Golf Club just outside the Starter’s office. Please follow the automated instructions in the event of an incident requiring its use.
All accidents MUST be reported as soon as possible to the Club’s General Manager or Operations Manager and then entered within the club’s Health and Safety online portal.
All vehicles are parked at the owner’s risk and the Golf Club accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to vehicles whilst parked in Golf Club grounds, car park or nearby Airport parking facilities.
Visitors are advised to check their own insurance cover in this respect.
The Golf Course
The Golf Course Risk Assessment is carried out on a hole-by-hole basis. As a rule, players should not strike a ball when there is a risk of endangering another player, a member of the Greenkeeping staff or a member of the public.
Adjacent Fairways – a misdirected ball can carry to adjacent fairways, tee blocks and greens on virtually all holes. Please shout ‘FORE’.
Ponds/Waterways – Located on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th. Take care when retrieving balls from the waterways.
Small bridges – the bridges that allow access over the waterways are narrow and therefore you would pass over them slowly and carefully, particularly if you are driving a powered cart or powered golf buggy.
Powered Carts – must always keep to the designated paths. Drive slowly over all mounds and downhill areas on the golf course.
Steps – there are steps leading to the back tee block on hole 9. Please take care when using these.
Out of Bounds fences – do not climb out of bounds fences to retrieve errant golf balls.
Other potential hazards – be aware of the accessway for Greenkeeping staff in front of the Greenkeeping compound. If you are practicing your chipping near the 1st tee block, always give way to golfers teeing off from the 1st tee block.
Toilets – there are toilets behind the 8th tee block.
Green Keepers’ Compound/Buildings – these are situated in between the 10th green and 11th fairway.
Other Health and Safety considerations
Fertilisers and Insecticides etc. on the ground – do not lick golf balls or fingers.
A notice in front of the practice putting green will advise when spraying is in progress.
Players are advised to take heed of the warnings and protect themselves.
Footwear – ensure that you are wearing suitable footwear. You have a responsibility to yourself and others to avoid slipping on slopes and other awkward places.
Greenkeeping Staff – always have priority. Always make sure that they are aware of your presence before you play your shot. The Greenkeeping staff will signal when it is safe for you to play.
The Practice Chipping Areas – 10th and 11th holes when not in play and the old 17th and 18th greens - People under the age of 14 MUST NOT use these practice area without appropriate adult supervision and should be accompanied from the clubhouse to the practice areas and when returning to the clubhouse.
People using the practice chipping areas are expected to be aware at all times of golf being played nearby, particularly from shots into the 9th green. Care must be taken to avoid accidents or injuries to themselves or others who may be using the practice areas at the same time. Please make sure the area is clear for practice, with due allowance for an errant shot.
Privately Owned Electric, Petrol or Diesel powered carts and vehicles
The use of privately owned vehicles is permitted by prior arrangement with the General Manager. All privately owned vehicles must be in good working order and operated in accordance with the Golf Club’s Golf Cart Safety Policy, which is displayed on all its carts.
Suspension of Play – Closure of course
Players must protect themselves in health and safety matters, especially should there be a danger from lightning when play must stop immediately. Rule 6.8 of the Rules of Golf makes it quite clear that a player is entitled to discontinue play if the player believes that there is a danger from lightning. This is a rare occurrence at Miramar Golf Club, but if a player believes that there is a real risk of, or danger from lightning, then the player is entitled to proceed under the provision of Rule 6.8 and discontinue play.
The Greenkeeping staff determine if the golf course is available to play or not. It is unreasonable for the golf club to always monitor the course. If the golf course remains open for play, Golf Services will decide on any cancellation or postponement of any competition and inform participants and tee bookings on the day. Golf Services rulings must be always adhered to by all players.
Resumption of Play
Inclement Weather – darkness, rain, fog etc. During inclement weather, if the course has not been officially closed, this does not warrant that it is fit for play. Therefore, members and visitors should themselves determine whether they consider it safe to play.
Players have a duty of care to behave in such a way that others will not be injured by their actions. They also have a duty of care to ensure that they do not injure themselves.
Work on Premises/Golf course
No work of any kind will take place on the golf course or premises without prior knowledge of the Club Management. Any such work will be carried out by Greenkeeping staff or other authorised persons, including subcontractors, and supervised as appropriate.
Miramar Golf Club
Risk Assessment (Course) January 2025