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Children Under 5 on the Golf Course Policy

    Purpose

    Ashgrove Golf Club welcomes families, children and junior golfers and supports junior participation through safe, supervised and age-appropriate pathways.

    A golf course presents foreseeable risks, including golf balls in play, golf carts, water hazards, uneven ground, wildlife, maintenance activity and changing weather conditions.

    This policy is intended to reduce avoidable risk and provide clear guidance to members, guests, visitors and staff.

    Policy Position

    Children under the age of 5 are not permitted on the golf course unless:

    • they are participating in an approved junior golf programme conducted or authorised by the Club;
    • they are a current junior member accessing the course for the genuine purpose of playing golf in accordance with this policy; or
    • express permission has been granted in advance by the General Manager or authorised delegate.

    For this policy, the golf course includes all playing areas, practice areas, cart paths and other course-related areas.

    Junior Members Under 5

    A junior member under the age of 5 may access the golf course where:

    • they are booked as a player on the Club's online timesheet;
    • they count towards the normal maximum group size;
    • they are accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or equivalent responsible adult who is also a current Club member;
    • they remain under direct and active supervision at all times; and
    • their participation is reasonable and appropriate having regard to their age, ability, safety, behaviour, pace of play and the nature of the booking.

    The child must be genuinely participating in golf. This may include playing selected holes, starting from a shortened position, putting, chipping or participating in another age-appropriate manner.

    A child who is merely accompanying another player, spectating or travelling around the course is not considered to be playing golf.

    Junior membership does not provide an automatic right to access every tee time, competition, event or area of the course.

    Competition Golf

    A junior member under the age of 5 is not automatically eligible to participate in competition golf.

    Participation in any competition, major event, championship or shotgun start requires prior approval from the Club Professional, General Manager, Match Committee or authorised delegate.

    Approval may be refused where participation is considered unsuitable having regard to ability, safety, pace of play, handicap requirements, event conditions or the impact on other players.

    Golf Carts

    Children under the age of 5 are not permitted in motorised golf carts unless express permission has been granted in advance by the General Manager or authorised delegate.

    Approval to play golf under this policy does not, by itself, include approval to travel in a golf cart.

    Approved Junior Golf Programmes

    This policy does not prevent the Club from conducting approved junior programmes, coaching activities or other Club-authorised junior initiatives.

    Any such activity must operate under supervision and safety conditions approved by the Club.

    Express Permission

    Any request outside the provisions of this policy must be approved in advance by the General Manager or authorised delegate.

    Approval is not automatic and may be refused or made subject to reasonable safety or operational conditions, including supervision, timing, areas of access, the number of holes played, cart use, weather, course conditions, pace of play, competitions or events.

    Supervision and Responsibility

    The supervising adult must:

    • remain with and actively supervise the child at all times;
    • ensure the child follows safety instructions and does not enter another player's hitting area;
    • ensure the child does not unreasonably delay or disrupt play;
    • stop the child's participation if the child becomes tired, distressed, disruptive or unable to follow directions; and
    • comply immediately with directions from Club staff.

    Parents, guardians and responsible adults remain responsible for the conduct, supervision and safety of children in their care.

    Staff Discretion and Enforcement

    The Club Professional, Pro Shop, Course Marshal, General Manager and authorised staff may refuse, restrict or discontinue a child's access where they reasonably consider the activity unsafe, unsuitable, disruptive or inconsistent with this policy.

    Staff may direct a group to alter its playing arrangements, allow another group through, skip a hole or leave the course.

    Failure to comply with a reasonable direction may result in removal from the course or Club premises and, in the case of a member, referral to the Board under the Club's Constitution, by-laws or disciplinary processes.

    Clubhouse Access

    Children under the age of 5 may attend permitted clubhouse and dining areas while under direct adult supervision.

    Children are not permitted in the gaming machine area under any circumstances.

    Communication and Review

    This policy will be published on the Club's website, communicated to members and made available to relevant staff.

    It will be reviewed periodically or earlier where required due to an incident, operational need, insurer recommendation, legislative change or Board decision.