ALL BUGGY USERS MUST SHOW RESPECT FOR THE COURSE AND TO DRIVE RESPONSIBLY.

Damage caused by buggy tyres can take weeks to recover.

1. All buggy drivers must observe the signs showing the route for buggies; unless you have a blue flag, do not drive closer to the green than the direction signs pointing back to the buggy path either on the fairway or the rough. Avoid all areas marked as ground under repair and wet areas on the course.
2. On most days of the year at El Paraiso, you are permitted to drive buggies on all fairways; the only exception, for safety reasons, is the fifth hole. Buggies should be driven from cart paths at 90 degrees when crossing fairways and rough. Do not drive up the middle of the fairway as this causes excessive compaction.
3. Observe the signs as to whether buggies are restricted to paths only.
4. Buggies MUST NOT be used by more than 2 people and, for insurance and safety reasons, never driven by anyone under 16 years of age. All players must be seated inside the buggy.
5. Buggies, including those with blue flags, MUST NOT under any circumstances be driven on to tees or their banks, within 10 metres of bunker edges or close to the collar of a green.
6. When parking a buggy beside a tee or a green, DO NOT pull off the buggy path onto the grass, unless an obstruction will be caused. Please use designated parking areas whenever possible.
7. No more than 2 buggies may be used in each flight, regardless of the number of players.

GENERAL GUIDANCE TO BUGGY USERS

• The 90-degree rule must be followed at all times.
• Buggy users must comply with directions from Course Marshalls and Club Officers. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action.
• Avoid all areas marked as Ground Under Repair and wet areas of the course.
• Buggies should exit from the fairway at or before the direction signs and drive directly to the path and then follow the path round the green and on to the next tee until the exit point to the next fairway is reached. Shortcuts must not be taken to the next tee.

The shortcuts which are NOT permitted include as examples the following, but this is not a complete list:

• Exiting the 10th hole fairway to the right of the green
• Direct access from the 11th fairway to the 12th tee
• Directly from the left-hand side of the 13th fairway up the slope and over the kerb to the 14th tee
• Driving to the left of the 14th green and the 15th tee
• From the right-hand side of the 15th green and fairway to the 16th tee
• Directly up the slope from the 1st green to the 2nd tee
• Right from the 8th fairway to the 9th tee
• Exiting the 9th hole from the left of the green to the path in front of the clubhouse

Buggies must park on the path at the nearest access point to the green and then proceed on the path to the next tee and fairway.
Buggies must park on the path by the tee and not on tee surrounds or slopes.
Buggies must not enter or proceed past roped off areas.

RULES FOR BLUE FLAG HOLDERS

BLUE FLAG POLICY – OVERVIEW

A BLUE FLAG IS ISSUED FOR A MAXIMUM OF 12 MONTHS, AFTER WHICH TIME THE HOLDER MUST WRITE IN TO THE CLUB COMMITTEE SECRETARY mcsecretary@elparaisogolf.com REQUESTING AN EXTENSION OF TIME. A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE IN SUPPORT OF THIS, MAY BE REQUESTED. IF THERE IS NO RESPONSE FROM THE HOLDER, THE CLUB COMMITTEE WILL ASSUME THE BLUE FLAG IS NO LONGER REQUIRED, AND IT WILL BE REMOVED.

The possession of a blue flag is an acknowledgement of a player’s restricted mobility, and is a privilege and not an automatic right. The Managing Director is responsible for the issuance of a Blue Flag, based on medical evidence from the member concerned, and has discretion to make a judgement. A register is kept and all Blue Flag holders must sign a statement that they will abide by the rules, which are detailed below. Normal buggy rules also apply and the 90-degree rule from buggy paths to a player’s ball must always be observed wherever possible. Course Marshalls are advised to report any abuse of these rules to a Committee member.

The Club Committee thereafter has the authority to remove or suspend a member’s Blue Flag status if that member abuses or continues to abuse this privilege. The member will first receive a formal warning as to the use of their buggy in restricted areas. Repeated disregard by a member of the rules may result in a period of suspension, or subsequently result in a permanent loss of the Blue Flag. It is the responsibility of the Blue Flag holder to return the flag as soon as mobility allows.

Blue Flag users can go past the fairway exit signs, but only if it is required to play a shot to the green. The buggy must not be driven closer than 20 metres from the green. The exit point must be the shortest distance to the buggy path from the green and not by taking shortcuts to the next tee.

It is not expected that the members in possession of a Blue Flag will play golf when the use of buggies is restricted to “paths only”. This is due to the additional distances they would be required to walk under difficult course conditions. Blue Flag holders who choose to play golf in these circumstances must be aware they do so at their own risk and the continued use of their Blue Flag may be brought into question.

RULES FOR BLUE FLAG HOLDERS

• Blue Flag users may go past the fairway buggy exit signs, but only up to 20 metres before the green and no closer.
• Shortcuts are not permitted on any fairway. The exit point when close to the green must be the shortest distance back to the buggy path and NOT around the green.
• Passengers without a Blue Flag must get off before the buggy passes the exit signs and walk to their ball.
• The driver of the buggy MUST be the Blue Flag holder.
• If a passenger is also a Blue Flag holder, both blue flags must be attached to the roof of the buggy.
• A buggy with a Blue Flag must still comply with any instructions from the Course Marshalls. Failure to do so, may result in disciplinary action.

In very exceptional circumstances, a Blue Flag holder with continuous debilitating health problems may apply to the Club Committee Secretary for a Red Flag, and include all relevant medical evidence. Any previous warnings or suspension whilst holding a Blue Flag, may be taken into consideration in the issuance of a Red Flag.

Display of a Blue Flag

This must be prominently displayed above the roof of the buggy, so it is clearly visible to Course Marshalls, and other buggy users. It is very important that the flag is clearly shown, so visitors who see a buggy being driven closer to the green than permitted, realise it has special permission and will not assume that it is acceptable for them to do likewise.

The Club has purchased a limited number of special clips and flagsticks, for which a charge is made. This charge is refunded on their return.

PLEASE NOTE: A member who is not registered to hold a Blue Flag but displays one and makes use of the Blue Flag privileges on the course, may be liable to disciplinary action.

GUIDANCE TO RED FLAG HOLDERS

In certain very exceptional circumstances, a red flag may be issued to a member with debilitating health problems or a disability. Rules and guidance for the use of red flag holders are the same as for blue flag holders. However, users may park their buggy closer to the green surfaces at the sides and rear of greens when the terrain from buggy paths makes access difficult. Users may also take their buggy closer to bunkers, tees when this is both practical and necessary.

USE OF HAND AND ELECTRIC TROLLEYS

Running electric or hand trolleys over the tee boxes and between the greenside bunkers and the green is strictly prohibited.

GENERAL POINTS ON SIGNAGE

Each hole may have clearly marked exit points from the fairway for both buggies and trolleys.

TROLLEYS: These should be placed at the front of the green 20 metres from the front edge of the green. These will also designate the closest point at which trolley users and Blue Flag buggies can approach the green. These signs direct trolley users around greenside bunkers and NOT between bunkers and greens.

BUGGIES: These signs are to be placed at an appropriate point short of the green. The direction arrow will point the buggies to the point where ALL buggies will join the cart path.

CART PATH SIGN: These signs are to use our corporate colours and logo where appropriate.

Policy approved by the Board of El Paraiso Golf Club, and officers of the El Paraiso Members Club Committee.