Golf and Country Club Liability Issues

1. Golf and Country Club Liability Issues By: Art Roberson

2. Membership Issues • Failure to clarify members rights • Refundable fees, etc. • Spousal disputes and membership • Rights for spouses • Divorce • Discrimination issues • Special Days

3. Liquor Liability • TIPS or other training • Documented • Beverage Carts • Intervention procedures • Training • Published policy

4. Water, Chemical and Environmental Issues • Well use – Are you required to register? • Underground tanks • Tested, modern double wall or monitored • Restricted Chemical Use – documentation • Testing of run off • Be familiar with regulations

5. Errant Balls • Errant Balls • Nuisance theory • The course owner has a duty to protect property of owners from unreasonably dangerous activities • ID dangerous places on the course based on complaints. • Realign tee boxes • Use strategic landscaping • Consider fences or netting

6. Lightning • Club has a duty to warn • Weather station at clubhouse • Doppler • Many ways to sound the alarm • Train and enforce

7. Sexual Misconduct • Sexual Harassment • Policy for member harassment of employees and employee harassment. • Background checks • Zero tolerance policy • Train, report, and investigate

8. Golf Carts • Golf Carts • Waivers Signed by Golfers • Owned/Leased • Check in and out of carts • Accident investigation • Personal carts • Paths that cross public roads

9. Property Issues • Pro Shop w/ club repair • Grip Replacement • Torch Use • Solvents • Cooking Hazards • UL-300

10. Property Hazards Continued • Maintenance Areas • Pesticide Storage and Mixing • Equipment Painting • Flammable and Combustible Storage • Welding and Cutting Operations