Trolleys & Buggies at PFGC

It is the aim of Pike Fold Golf Club to provide an attractive, impressive, enjoyable and challenging golf course, set and maintained to recognised and established high standards that enables golf to be played ‘near all year round.’

WINTER WHEELS – TROLLEY USE POLICY

We would encourage all players, who are able to do so, to use carry bags and carry their clubs if they are playing in the winter months.
The current policy on the use of trolleys and ride on buggies has been reviewed and it is the view of your committee that the principles contained within it are still as relevant today as when it was introduced.
That said the club will endeavour not to impose course closures or trolley bans unless they are absolutely necessary.
To assist in this, and at the same time making continued trolley use available to as many members that need them or wish to use them, there will be a ‘Winter Wheels Rule’.

WINTER WHEELS RULE:

Where in the view of the greens committee, in consultation with the head green keeper and the head professional conditions reach a point that the continued use of electric trolleys with standard summer/general use wheels or push/pull trolleys with narrow wheels will be detrimental to the course the following will be implemented:

ELECTRIC TROLLEYS:

Use permitted only if they are fitted with ‘Winter’ wheels on the rear drive wheels i.e. Hedgehog, Hillbilly, Fairway Hoppa, Motorcaddy or Powakaddy winter wheels or similar non smooth surfaced wheels including Pneumatic wheels with tread patterns.

PUSH / PULL TROLLEYS:

If an electric trolley does not meet the above then a player may use a push/pull trolley but these must be fitted with wide wheels (3 inches (75mm) wide or above) the wheels do not have to be winter wheels as they are not prone to skidding. Trolleys with narrow wheels (less than the above) are not permitted.
During the period that the ‘Winter Wheel Rule’ applies all Players - Members and Visitors alike and without exception – who wish to use a trolley on Pike Fold golf course will have to comply with the points above.
For clarity the ‘Winter Wheels Rule’ dispenses with the ‘Restricted trolley use only’ rule – therefore those who were exempted by that provision are required to adhere to the ‘Winter Wheel Rule’ if they wish to use a trolley.
So the 4 stages will be –
Normal Use / Winter Wheels Rule / Total Trolley Ban / Course Closed.

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT ROUTES:

In addition traffic management schemes around the course will be applied – we would ask that all players respect and follow these routes, whether carrying or using a trolley.

GENERAL USE:

Members and visitors alike are welcome to use trolleys, motorised or otherwise, when the conditions of the course are suitable and it has been deemed appropriate by the green keeping staff.
When doing so, users are requested not to take their trolley or buggy:
Onto the tees and greens
Between a greenside bunker and the green
Onto the fringes & aprons of the greens

RESTRICTED TROLLEY USE (“EXEMPTED TROLLEYS ONLY”)

There are occasions when it will be necessary for the safety of the staff and the users of the course to restrict the use of trolleys due to the course and weather conditions. This will be declared by the designated green keeping staff member in consultation with the Professional and the greens committee in circumstances where conditions:
Present Health and Safety issues, or
Will lead to excess damage to the course
Where there is Restricted Trolley use, only the following will be able to use trolleys:
Members and visitors with a medical exemption certificate, where in the opinion of their doctor they are unable to play or have undue difficulty in playing golf without the use of a trolley or buggy because:
They are suffering from a disability within the meaning of Section 6 of the Equality Act 2010 or any statutory modification thereof, OR
Their medical or physical condition precludes the physical carrying of golf clubs for a full 18 hole round either permanently or long term, OR
Their medical or physical condition precludes the physical carrying of golf clubs for a full 18 hole round for a period specified by their Doctor.

TOTAL TROLLEY BAN:

In circumstances where, in the opinion of the designated green keeping staff member in consultation with the Professional and the greens committee the prevailing conditions, including amongst other factors, the course or parts of the course, the environment or the weather
are unfit and/or unsafe for trolley or buggy use, or
Present Health and Safety issues for the users of trolleys or buggies, or other users of the course including our staff.

A total trolley ban will be applied.

In these circumstances no members or visitors will be permitted to use trolleys, motorised or otherwise, irrespective of the person’s possession of a medical exemption certificate.

Personal Ride on Buggy – Total Trolley Ban
For clarity and in the interests of Health and Safety when a Total Trolley Ban is in force it will also apply to the use of a ‘Personal Ride on Buggy, irrespective of the individual member or visitor having satisfied any other pre-requisites of the club in relation to the use of such a buggy.