Skip to main content

Children Under 5 on the Golf Course Policy

  1. Purpose

Ashgrove Golf Club welcomes families, children and junior golfers. The Club remains committed to supporting junior participation in golf through appropriate, supervised and structured pathways.

At the same time, a golf course is not a passive recreation area. It contains foreseeable risks including golf balls in play, golf carts, water hazards, uneven ground, wildlife, bushland, road crossings, maintenance activity and changing weather conditions.

This policy has been introduced to reduce avoidable safety risks for very young children and to provide clear guidance to members, guests, visitors and staff.

  1. 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 Ashgrove Golf Club; or
  • express permission has been granted by the General Manager or their authorised delegate.

For the purposes of this policy, the golf course includes all playing areas, tees, fairways, greens, rough, bunkers, cart paths, practice areas, water features and other course-related areas.

  1. Reason for the Policy

This policy is based on safety and risk management.

Children under 5 are less able to understand or respond to golf course hazards, including errant golf balls, moving carts, water hazards, snakes and other wildlife, uneven surfaces, weather changes and instructions from staff or other players.

The policy is not intended to discourage families from attending the Club. Children under 5 remain welcome in permitted clubhouse areas, subject to appropriate adult supervision and the Club’s normal rules relating to minors.

  1. Golf Carts

Children under 5 are not permitted in motorised golf carts on the golf course unless express permission has been granted by the General Manager or authorised delegate as part of an approved Club activity or exceptional circumstance.

  1. Clubhouse Access

Children under 5 may attend the clubhouse, dining areas and other permitted areas of the Club, provided they are under the direct supervision of a responsible adult at all times.

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

  1. Approved Junior Golf Programmes

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

Where an approved programme involves young children, access will only occur under appropriate supervision, safety controls and programme conditions approved by the Club.

  1. Express Permission

Any request for a child under 5 to access the golf course outside an approved junior golf programme must be approved in advance by the General Manager or authorised delegate.

Approval is not automatic and may be refused on safety, operational, weather, course condition or event-related grounds.

The Club may impose conditions on any approval, including:

  • required adult supervision;
  • restricted areas of access;
  • use of carts or no carts;
  • timing restrictions;
  • weather or course condition limitations;
  • immediate removal from the course if directed by staff.
  1. Enforcement

The Pro Shop, Course Marshal, Club Professional, General Manager and authorised Club staff are responsible for enforcing this policy.

If a child under 5 is found on the golf course without approval, the responsible adult will be directed to remove the child from the course immediately.

Failure to comply with a reasonable direction from Club staff may result in the person being required to leave the Club premises. Members may also be referred to the Board for further action in accordance with the Club’s Constitution, by-laws and disciplinary processes.

  1. Member and Guest Responsibility

Members are responsible for ensuring their guests comply with this policy.

Parents, guardians and responsible adults are responsible for the supervision and safety of children in their care while on Club premises.

  1. Communication

This policy will be:

  • published on the Club’s website;
  • communicated to members through the Club newsletter;
  • made available to staff, the Pro Shop and Course Marshal;
  • referenced where appropriate in Club communications, event information and booking procedures.
  1. Review

This policy will be reviewed periodically, or sooner if required due to an incident, legislative change, insurer recommendation, operational requirement or change to the Club’s facilities.