Risk Assessment -General

The golf course is a typical fell environment with extensive undulating ground, out crops of rock etc, In wet or soft ground conditions, there is a risk of losing your footing, especially if you do not have spiked shoes. There are a number of areas on the golf course where golfers are playing blind over hills and hollows and golfers and walkers are in danger of being hit from flying golf balls. Those walking on the course do so at their own risk. There are several occasions where walking is safer and course signage is provided to help to guide you on these routes.

In very windy weather there is a risk of falling debris, branches or whole trees in Little Wood, Serpentine Wood and Coffin Wood.

Hole by Hole Risk Assessment

Hole 1- The tee - there is a sloping grass bank on the left-hand side which can be slippery wet and soft ground conditions. From the tee there is full visibility of the playing area in. There are potential risks from flying balls to walkers using an access point/style (not a public footpath) two thirds of the way up the hill on the right, as well as to those walking in Little Wood on the left.

Hole 2 - Beware of a hidden style providing an entrance of a public footpath to the course in the dip on the right, about half way down the fairway. Walkers might walk across the course from here despite being invited to use alternative paths. On the rise up to the green and on the grass banks around the green there is a risk of losing your footing in wet or soft ground conditions.

Hole 3 - the playing area is in full view and there is little risk for walkers. Beware of the steep slope to the right of the green and on the hill to the left of the green, particular when moving to the 4th tee.

Hole 4 - from the tee there is a clear view of the first part of the fairway. There is a dip on the right where people might not be seen. Also, the public footpath comes up the hill from the left and walkers may be concealed by the trees. As you play to the green, the green is totally blind and players aim at a marker post behind the green. If you are following golfers immediately ahead of you, do not play to the green until the bell has sounded. It is dangerous for walkers around this green as they do not see golfers coming their way.

Hole 5 - the hole is in full view from the tee. There is a low level of risk to the public on a track to the left, besides Little Wood.

Hole 6 - There is a steep drop off the rear and left-hand side of the medal tee. Most of the fairway is in full view of the tee. There is a small risk to walkers concealed by the trees on the left. At the top of the hill- a public footpath approaches the 6th green from the right-hand side, but walkers will usually be seen approaching the area of the green. The footpath crosses the hole but behind the green public footpath crosses in front of, and beside the 7th tee but walkers can usually.

Hole 7 - A public footpath crosses in front of and besides the 7th tee but walkers can usually be seen coming up the hill from the right. The land in front of the tee falls away and it is possible that people cannot be seen in that area. Once down the hill the whole area is in view.

Hole 8 - The visibility from the tee is good. However, there is a well-used path which traverses this hole, crossing at the beginning of the fairway. Golfers should not play unless safe to do so, and walkers tend to stand to the side and wait while golfers play. However, the hole goes over the top of the hill and is blind to golfers - they will not see walkers on the course over the hill. A public footpath crosses the hole two-thirds of the way along the hole. There is little risk on the approach to the green.

Hole 9 - There is a steep drop off the back of this tee. A public footpath crosses this hole there is an alternative route which is safer. There is good visibility of the area of this hole.

Hole 10 - There is good visibility of the fairway from the tee, but a track and footpath are on the approach from the left-hand side, pass the tee on the right. However, when playing further towards the green, the fairway and green may be concealed for many golfers. This area is dangerous for walkers.

Hole 11- The tee is elevated and has a sheer drop to the right-hand side. The fairway can be seen in full view. The approach to the green is over arise and walkers cannot be seen. IS Coffin Wood is located on the left and an unauthorised track emerges from the wood, passes through another copse of pine trees further up the hole and walkers are vulnerable to errant golf shots when in the copse and but particularly beyond it, in the open, on the left-hand side.

Hole 12-The fairway and layout of the hole are in full view, but a busy public footpath crosses the hole beside the stone wall. Signs will warn walkers to look out for golfers, and golfers should respect the rights of walkers to cross. The hole beyond the footpath is private land and walkers should not be there. However, dogs are known to use the pond on the left to drink or paddle. Beyond the pond the fairway continues down the hill before bearing left to the green and this area is hidden from view. Golfers playing the 13th hole cross the 12th fairway just before 12th green, so please bear this in mind if you see golfers on or leaving the 13th tee to the right of the green.

Hole 13 -The tee is elevated and this provides a full view of the hole ahead. Golfers on the 12th fairway may be at risk from errant golf shots to the left. Further up the hole, the 13th green IS beyond well-used public footpath. Walkers may approach the fairway from left or 0 right, so please be careful and respect walkers' rights to cross at this point. Signage on the path will invite walkers to wait if you are about to play.

Hole 14 - The tee has a vertical drop on the right-hand side. The left half of the fairway and the rough on the left-hand side are concealed and neither walkers nor golfers can be seen. This area is particularly hazardous for walkers. Once reaching the fairway the hole can be seen ahead, but beware that walkers may come towards you along the side of Coffin Wood to the left of the green.

Hole 15 - The fairway is in full visibility, but Walkers coming up the hill along the tree margin on the right may be concealed from view. Further down, the 16th tee is located behind the trees on the right and golfers and walkers may be out of view,

Hole 16 - The green can be seen down the hill in the distance but most of the fairway is hidden from view. Golfers can be searching for balls and walkers may be coming up a track. This hole is dangerous for walkers as they cannot see golfers on the tee and nor can golfers see them.

Hole 17 - The tee has a steep slope to the right and front. Parts of the fairway and the green are concealed from view. There is a risk to walkers as golfers may not see them.

Hole 18 - The fairway is in full view. However, an old road crosses this hole two-thirds of the way to the green. It is not a public footpath, but is well used by walkers. Please afford courtesy to them while they cross the hole, and they will be invited to be courteous to golfers and not cross if you are ready to play.

Practice Ground The practice ground is in full visibility from the playing area. At track on the right is used by some walkers and may be in danger from a very wayward shot. Golfers must not play if anyone is within range, and must shout "Fore"" if a wayward ball is heading in the vicinity of any walker. There is a similar risk to golfers playing the 6th or 15th holes at the top end of the practice area.

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