The golf course is a quiet oasis, secluded from the distracting bustle of everyday life. But robust and adequate golf insurance coverage is necessary for this sports haven to run smoothly. In this article, we’ll talk about the liabilities that may arise on the golf course and the importance of having the right coverage to mitigate those risks.
Liabilities to Avoid on the Golf Course
There are potential property liabilities every golf course owner must address before they arise.
Injuries of Guests, Members, and Employees
Despite being a non-contact sport, golf poses a risk of injury to its players. Although wrist and back injuries are common, golfers and caddies are also at risk of serious injury from an errant shot. And even if they follow safety guidelines, passengers can still fall out of carts on steep hills or sharp turns, resulting in severe injuries and expensive medical bills.
Golf Carts Going Rogue
Despite their slow pace, golf carts can pose a significant danger on the course. Since many golf carts in the market lack basic safety features such as seat belts or doors, they offer minimal protection to passengers. They can become a liability for golf course owners. Whether operated responsibly or not, accidents can happen, ranging from collisions with other carts to tipping over or falling into water hazards, resulting in severe injuries or even fatalities.
Given the frequency of these incidents, many golf courses opt to enroll in golf course insurance to help cover medical expenses and related costs.
Pests
According to a report by Golf Course Industry Magazine, a significant challenge encountered by golf facilities in 2018 was the loss of turf due to pest infestations. Weeds, insects, and fungi are the most common causes of unsightly turf loss.
That’s why Albrecht Koppenhofer, an expert in turfgrass insect pest management at Rutgers’ Department of Entomology, suggests that golf course superintendents adopt a preventative approach to pest management. To maximize maintenance budgets, experts suggest implementing the following strategies:
- Removing unnecessary trees, tees, and bunkers.
- Determining the surf’s unique requirements before seeking cost-effective nitrogen treatment.
- Develop a calendar to organize which types of pests to address each season.
- Focusing on the two more common pest issues at a time.
Slices and Hooks
Unless all the golf club members are professional golfers, they commonly hook or slice a shot in the wrong direction occasionally. For golf courses near busy streets or densely populated areas, broken windows or damaged vehicles caused by errant golf balls may become a common complaint.
While there are temporary solutions, such as moving tee boxes or installing more fencing, that to implement, they are not long-term fixes.
Another potential solution is golf lessons. But while they can help improve golfers’ accuracy, obtaining adequate insurance coverage is a more effective long-term solution to address potential property liabilities.
About T2 Green Insurance
T2Green Insurance provides comprehensive insurance that is customized to your club, resort, or golf management company, from industry professionals whose sole focus is insuring this class. We are dedicated to providing you with innovative products, underwriting expertise, and exceptional results so that your insurance needs are covered with confidence. Reach us at 844-223-9005 with any questions or so we can begin tailoring a package that works best for your club.
