Insurance

Get insured with Golf Care

The cost of injury, damage and theft are the last things golfers want to worry about when they step onto the course. 

The financial implications of a mis-hit have never been greater. The case where both a golfer and the club were found liable for nearly £400,000 following an accident that resulted in a player losing the sight in one eye, was a warning to all golfers.

Given that every year 12,000 golf injuries require hospital treatment, it’s incredible that an estimated nine out of 10 golfers still don’t have specialist golf insurance.

We spoke to former Ryder Cup Captain Bernard Gallacher on his advice for limiting golfers’ risks of causing or being subject to an accident. He said: “No matter what level of golfer you are, everybody has a bad day and hits a poor shot so accidents can happen to anyone. It’s common sense, but always look around you to check where your fellow golfers are, particularly checking on the whereabouts of novice golfers or anyone that may be slightly hidden from view such as by a golf buggy or trees.

“Remaining calm and focused can help avoid mis-hits. I know from experience that when we get frustrated with ourselves, mistakes can happen. But I assure you that you’ll play better if you can keep relaxed.

“Of course, if not all goes to plan, make sure you still shout ‘Fore!’ And for complete peace of mind, get yourself covered. You don’t want that one shot to cost you a fortune.”

And it’s not just injury that can cost a golfer. A more common occurrence is the theft of golf equipment and with the average golf bag and its contents worth around £1,500, it’s an attractive target for thieves hanging around car parks and clubhouses.

Recently two men were jailed at Birmingham Crown Court for stealing £750,000 worth of golf equipment from clubs across the UK. The duo masqueraded as genuine golfers, chatting to other players and duping members of staff, before stealing bags.

Many golfers assume they are covered by their household policies, but a household insurance is just that, not a specialist golf policy. Some household policies will allow the policy holder to specify golf equipment as an add-on, but an extra premium often needs to be paid, which is higher than a specialist golf insurance policy and won’t provide the same level of cover.

Golf Care insurance – what’s covered

• Personal liability. You can be covered for up to £5 million if you injure another party, or their property.
• Stolen or damaged equipment. In the UK, clubs purchased new and up to three-years-old are repaired or replaced on a “new for old” basis up to £5,000. A “new for old for life” option is also available.
• Third-party property damage. Golf Care covers damage to third party properties to as much as £2,500.
• Worldwide cover playing overseas? You’ll still be covered if you take out a worldwide extension cover.
• Hole-in-ones. Golf Care insurance covers you for up to £200 on that celebratory bar bill.
• Personal accident. Golf Care policy covers you for up to £50,000 for personal injury or, in extreme cases, death should you be hit by a wayward shot or injured by another golfer’s lack of awareness.

For more information, visit the Golf Care insurance website.