Golf - It's a Family Business

Don’t take my word for it, just take a stroll around any busy club on a Saturday morning and you’ll see juniors, seniors and everyone in between buzzing because of the game of golf.

Clubs across the UK have realised for a long time that to give themselves a future they need to throw their doors open and welcome golfers young and old, new and fanatical. What better way for a family to enjoy their leisure time together than head to their local golf club for practice, lessons, a game with their regular fourball….or if they’re feeling really competitive – with each other!

For the game to have a great future, there needs to be a conveyor belt of golfers from cradle to grave. Junior golf has never been stronger in the UK and clubs have seen their own initiatives for juniors further fuelled by the great work undertaken by the likes of The Golf Foundation, Young Masters Golf and Wee Wonders amongst others. For a family with one or both parents interested in golf, the choice of golf club will often be dependent on junior programmes, practice facilities and increasingly academy courses or 9 hole courses to help with development.

Let’s not forget the seniors segment. Golf is, after all, a game that it is suitable for players of all ages and abilities, from the youngest family members to grandma and grandpa, making golf the perfect family game. Many adults find golf to be an enjoyable (sometimes frustrating) sport and hope to pass their love of the game onto their children and grandchildren.
If you think your family will enjoy the game why not pop along to one of the many golf clubs around the UK that run a free family taster day? Some clubs even offer trial membership packages on these days, so that families can then experience club membership over a limited period of time.
You could even try a family lesson with a PGA Pro who create programmes designed to cater for everyone's needs that are fun, educational and highly professional in a relaxed atmosphere.

If you decide you like the game, you’ll need to think about kitting out your family with some equipment. Like most things, equipment varies in price and the more popular the brand the higher the price. Whether you choose a cheap or expensive brand, you may still be spending a lot of money buying sets for you and your family making you anxious at the thought of replacement if they were damaged or stolen. With this in mind, why not think about insuring your new possessions with a comprehensive golf insurance policy to protect the golfers in your family on and off the course?

Golfplan Insurance, a recommended Official Supplier of the PGA, has over 25 years experience of providing the most comprehensive golf insurance on the market. Golfplan’s New for Old policies replace your golf equipment with brand new (regardless of its age) if it is stolen or beyond repair. Each policy also includes essential £5 million personal liability cover, as well as other benefits including 24 hour theft from car cover and accidental property damage. Club membership fees are covered in the event of illness or accident on or off the course and for the fortunate ones - hole in one cover for that customary round of clubhouse drinks. All Golfplan policies also come with 120 days worldwide cover leaving you with total peace of mind wherever you decide to play – home or away.

Golfplan also offer 10% discount for family members living at the same address, junior policies and 20% discount for over 70’s.

Get Fit with Golf

After getting carried away with the festive spirit, most of us will notice a tighter waist band and will be thinking ‘New Year resolution? - Time to get fit’, but don’t fancy the prospect of working out in a stuffy gym for hours so the resolution is never actioned. So what’s the solution? Shrug our shoulders and eat another mince pie? Or better still why not try something different.....how about golf?

You may not realise how active a game of golf is, if you think it’s just a game for old men in golf buggies think again. Cue Paul Casey or Tiger Woodsl. Beginners may be surprised by the physical strain of simply completing the course but if you’re up for the challenge you'll find that as you develop your game you’ll feel fitter and happier with all those endorphins that will be released. So get off that sofa, kick off those slippers and put on some golf shoes, the more comfortable the better as your poor old feet are going to need them with all the walking you'll be doing. Most golf pro’s will be able to advise.

Golf is a great cardio workout as there is a lot of walking involved. Most 18 hole courses are usually between four and five miles long, where there can even be a little climbing up hills! A great type of exercise which goes easy on your joints but is also great at building strength in your muscles and burning off all those extra little calories, you will also at regular intervals be pulling a trolley or be carrying the extra weight of your golf bag.
With all that time you'll be spending walking and waiting at holes there will be plenty of time to chat to your golfing partners or even getting to know new and different people. If you’re a beginner however and don’t like the thought of that quiet competitiveness between you and your friends then there is no problem in going it alone, until you’re confident enough to show off that perfect swing of yours.

As golf is quite a slow game, you’ll benefit from the relaxing scenery and if you’re spending all that time outside although we can’t always guarantee the weather. Many courses allow non-members to play so you don’t need to worry about the expense of membership fees.

After a while you’ll start to notice improvements in muscle tone and posture that come from all those repetitions of strokes needed to complete a round. What better excuse for a bad round than telling your playing partners that you were taking those extra shots because they would improve your muscles.
Golf will not only benefit you physically but mentally too, you may find yourself in certain situations when playing a round that will need your careful judgement when deciding the best course of action.
A great game that offers an all-round workout, so what are you waiting for?

Risky Business

Golf Insurance – Stepping onto the golf course is risky business

Golfers who rely on a cry of Fore! to warn of miss-timed shots still carry the risk of claims against them if they hit someone. But this is nothing new…..in 1998 The Court of Appeal ruled that ‘Golfers are liable for shots that cause injury, no matter how slight the risk’. Since this ruling, personal liability claims against golfers have significantly increased - further fuelled by a ‘compensation culture’ and people who are much more likely to prosecute if they find themselves on the wrong end of a badly sliced shot.

The importance of having the right cover is further underlined by the scale of the risk golfers are facing. This year it is estimated that there will be more than 12,500 golf injuries that require hospital treatment, and with around one in ten golfers having adequate golf insurance there are literally hundreds of thousands of golfers playing at risk

The dangers on the golf course are clear to all and every golfer will have a tale to tell of a near miss…or worse. Some have been even unluckier with recorded evidence of eyesight loss, dental reconstruction, broken noses, jaws, ribs and so on. These kinds of personal liability claims can run into thousands of pounds with the advice to amateur golfers a resounding ‘get protected’. Cover won’t stop an incident happening, but it will protect you from big compensation payouts.

Golf insurance specialists have responded to this demand from golfers with some very competitive, expertly packaged policies which also take into account other essential benefits like theft, loss and damage of golf equipment, personal accident and third-party property damage. Cover also extends to reimbursement of membership fees when unable to play, personal effects and hole-in-ones (lucky and not so lucky when it comes to facing a packed clubhouse bar!). But like any other kind of insurance it’s important to make comparisons, read the small print and make sure you get the right level of cover to suit your requirements.

Verdict: This issue won’t go away and golfers need to be mindful of their duty of care to others whilst on a golf course. Do your homework and buy a policy which will give you peace of mind every time you tee off.

365 ways to love your golfer this Christmas!

Wondering what to buy the golfer in your family this Christmas?

….You want to do better than a tin of tees and a pair of socks right?!

Well here’s the answer: An Annual Golf Insurance Policy from Golfplan, the perfect gift for every golfer this Christmas.

Golfplan is the original golf insurance specialist with 25 years experience of providing great cover for UK golfers. Our policyholders benefit from a unique package of essential insurance benefits including public liability cover, 24 hour theft from car cover and new for old equipment replacement regardless of its age. Golfplan’s policies are also recommended by the PGA.

Here is a summary of our essential benefits:

 New for old cover regardless of the age of the equipment as standard
 £5m personal liability cover comes as standard on all policies
 24 hour theft from car cover as standard
 120 days worldwide cover as standard on all our policies
 Golf club membership fees covered in the event of illness or accident on or off the course
 PGA Recommended policies with equipment replaced by a PGA Club Professional
 £2m worldwide cover for accidental property damage
 No excess on total loss claims
 Buggy cover also available or may be combined with your golf equipment on one policy
Golfplan’s Christmas Voucher Giftpacks containing vouchers and an exclusive scorecard holder can be purchase online or over the phone. Vouchers are available in denominations or £25 & £50

Golf Goes Olympic!

Golf was once an event in the 1900 Olympics in Paris and played again in 1904 on the course in and around St. Louis before being dropped. After a gap of 112 years, golf will make a sensational return to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro .

The vote was a reversal of the International Olympic Committees decision four years ago to reject golf and rugby for the 2012 Olympics, bringing the number of Olympic sports back to the maximum 28 for 2016.

Golf was reinstated for the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games after the IOC assembly made the final vote for golf and rugby to be included as Olympic sports in Copenhagen back in October 2009. They are the first sports added since triathlon and taekwondo joined the programme for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Sergio Garcia said " To be able to be a part of the Olympics will be something unbelievable."

One of the main concerns had been whether top players would compete in the Olympics but The International Golf Federation has promised that the world's best will be there. The event will consist of a 72-hole stroke-play tournament with 60 players in both the men and women's competitions. One of golf’s biggest talents, Tiger Woods, has indicated he would play and welcomed the return of golf to the games and added "It's a perfect fit for the Olympics, and I think we're all looking forward to golf getting in the Olympics."

Now that golf has been included in the Olympics, the game should see even more growth. Many countries will see the opportunity to invest in golf in advance of 2016 giving hope to more younger players such as 16-year-old Italian Matteo Manassero - the youngest ever winner of the British Amateur title - to realise their Olympic dream. This thought was backed up by British Olympic chief Andy Hunt. "We currently have a wealth of talented British male and female players moving through (golf's) amateur ranks and are very excited at the prospect of what these young athletes could achieve at Olympic level.”

Jack Nicklaus said “Now the sport I have always called the greatest game of all can be shared with the rest of the world on the greatest stage in sports."

Buggy Mania

Colin Montgomerie picked up some admiring glances last week when he was presented with his Ryder Cup golf buggy. For Monty, it’s an essential part of the Captain’s armoury from which he will orchestrate the European charge against the United States next year and another indication that we’re on countdown to Celtic Manor. Of course, Monty’s ride has been suitably ‘pimped’ by the specialists at Club Car with a customised paint job and in case of any doubt – ‘Captain’s Car’ emblazoned across the front.

Great work by the team at Club Car but the sight of golf buggies of all shapes and sizes on our courses is definitely on the increase, a sure sign that many of us are jumping on the errr…buggy-wagon.

So why the increase? Golf buggies for hire by clubs are nothing new but the last few years have seen a significant increase in the number of individuals buying their own buggies for use at their home course and further afield. Buggies being unloaded from trailers are a common sight in golf club car parks these days with many clubs going one step further and offering secure storage areas for ease of use.

Golfplan’s Commercial Director Simon Seward comments: ‘Individual ownership of golf buggies is really on the increase in the UK. There is a greater range of buggies on the market at different price points which makes the ownership of a buggy a real proposition for many golfers. We also have an ageing population who are healthier and want to continue to be active. The ownership of a buggy can give golfers a new lease of life.’

He added: ‘Many clubs are latching on to this trend and improving pathways around their courses, offering secure storage and issuing guidelines for use of buggies by their members and visitors.’

But what about the risk? Well to start with, a buggy owner needs to recognise the duty of care to others whilst using their buggy on a course and have public liability cover to protect them against injuring a fellow golfer. Most clubs will insist on public liability cover as a minimum before allowing buggy owners onto the course. In addition to this, there is always the threat of theft, loss, vandalism or accidental damage during use or whilst moving the buggy around from home to a course and so on. A comprehensive golf insurance policy will provide the essential protection a golfer needs for their buggy and the rest of their valuable golf equipment.

At Golfplan, all policies provide essential protection for buggies against personal liability, theft, loss, vandalism or accidental damage during use, whilst stored at a golf venue or in a garage, and during carriage to and from the golfing venue. Cover also includes public liability protection, against killing or injuring a fellow golfer. You can compare their policies here

Within all Golfplan policies, golf buggies are treated as golf equipment which means a buggy is protected 24-hours a day, giving the buggy owner total peace of mind. All a policyholder has to do is ensure that their buggy is individually secured to a fixed object when stored at a golfing venue or in a garage. Also during carriage to and from golfing venues, buggies must be secured to the trailer.

Time to Take Cover

A PGA professional and club golfer stress the importance and explain the benefits of dedicated golf insurance.

The Professional’s View

1.How important is golf insurance?
These days it’s important for any golfer to be aware of their responsibilities when stepping onto the first tee, so cover for personal liability and third party property damage is essential. Secondly, theft is a real issue in today’s society and, with most golfers carrying upwards of £1,000 of equipment, I would advise all golfers to make sure they are covered by a decent policy.

2.When is the best time to recommend golf insurance to your members?
Opportunities present themselves at various times. I make sure that whenever we sell a set of irons or a new piece of equipment, such as a driver or putter, we check with the individual concerned that they are covered because the value of equipment soon mounts up. We carry stocks of Golfplan leaflets, so if we’re selling some clothing it’s easy to pop a leaflet intothe bag. Golfplan supplies other merchandise such as posters, which are great for the driving range and noticeboards. In addition, we have a link on our website and include it in our email newsletters and bulletins.

3.What should golfers look for when taking out golf insurance?
Look for a specialist provider - some golfers think they are covered by their house insurance but in most cases this doesn’t provide any cover at all and certainly not the kind today’s golfer needs. Apart from public liability and third party property damage cover, which I mentioned earlier, the main area for me would be to ensure you get theft from car cover because this is one of the most common claims and one which I hear about the most. Other nice to haves are ‘hole in one’ cover and overseas cover. You don’t want to be hit by clubhouse bar bill that’s for sure! Also a lot of golfers are going abroad to places like The Algarve and Spain, often with a club or society, so it’s an important consideration. Above all, I would say check the policy wordings carefully as exclusions and excesses vary from provider to provider.

4. Why is Golfplan your preferred provider of golf insurance?
I’ve supported Golfplan since it first came to market in 1984. Over the years it has provided me with marketing support, merchandise and I’ve benefited from claims settlement business. It is also the only specialist golf insurer to have a partnership with the PGA, so it makes sense for me to recommend Golfplan.

5.What are the benefits of working with Golfplan?
Golfplan only settles claims through PGA pros and its in-house claims team is always very cooperativeand efficient. As a result, settling a claim is a simple process. This means clients are happy to visit their pro for advice on replacing equipment, which enables us to ensure they’re happy with their choice as wellas other benefits such as custom-fitting.

David Wilton, Professional, Muswell Hill Golf Club



The Player’s View

1.Why did you take out a golf insurance policy?
I had heard about golf insurance from my pro and other golfers at my club but, like many people, wrongly assumed my house insurance provided me with a suitable level of cover.

2.What key benefits did you look for?
The first thing was cover for theft of my equipment whenever I left home. My job takes me around the country and sometimes I like to take my clubs with me. As these are worth £2,000, I need to be covered in these situations. Also, we have all experienced a wayward shot and I think all golfers have a responsibility to others on the course. I also like the overseas cover as my golf society is getting a bit more adventurous and we now play abroad once or twice a year.

3.Why did you choose Golfplan?
I’d heard of Golfplan through my pro and seen the literature about it in his shop and elsewhere around the club. It was easy to take a policy out via the website and I got a great deal on renewal as I recommended a friend to Golfplan. I also like the fact that my membership fees are covered if I’m unable to play through injury. What’s more, I’ve not achieved a hole-in-one yet but at least I know my bar bill will be covered if I do!

4.What advice would you give to fellow golfers without golf insurance?
Look for a specialist provider who understands golfers and can offer you the right level of cover to suit your requirements; don’t rely solely on the information on a leaflet or a website; and take a look at the policy terms and conditions as there may be some restrictions that are not immediately obvious.

Andy Cox, club golfer, Long Ashton Golf Club, Bristol


For more information on Golfplan’s comprehensive cover click here