Golf Facility
Safety & Compliance
Report 2026
What the Report Reveals
The findings show a strong commitment to safety across golf facilities - but also highlight an emerging oversight gap between responsibility and visibility.
Key insights include:
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Only 17% are confident their board or committee fully understands its legal duty of care
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66% have experienced incidents in the last two years that could potentially lead to a claim
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54% believe that some checks, certifications, or training are not always fully up to date
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Just 44% receive an annual health & safety inspection by a qualified professional
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Time pressure, seasonal staff turnover, and fragmented systems remain the biggest barriers to consistency
These challenges aren’t caused by lack of care - they’re caused by complexity, limited time, and disconnected processes.
More Than Survey Results
Alongside the data, the report includes expert commentary and practical guidance from leaders in:
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Safety and risk management
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Legal and governance oversight
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Insurance and liability
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Maintenance and operational best practice
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OSHA citation trends and emerging heat regulations
Rather than adding more paperwork, the report focuses on what actually works in golf facility environments: relevant training, clear expectations, simple systems, and leadership visibility.
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Who This Report Is For
This report is designed for:
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Owners & CEOs
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General Managers
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Board & Committee Members
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Operations, Facilities, and Safety Leaders
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Anyone responsible for protecting people, reputation, and the long-term resilience of a golf facility
Whether you manage a single facility or oversee multiple operations, the insights are directly applicable.
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Why It Matters
Safe operations aren’t separate from good operations — they are part of the same system.
Folf facilities that build consistency, visibility, and accountability into their daily workflows are better positioned to:
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Reduce incidents and claims
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Strengthen insurance and audit outcomes
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Support staff with clarity and confidence
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Protect leadership and boards from unseen risk
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Deliver safer, smoother experiences for members and guests
This report is intended as a benchmark and a practical reference point — not a compliance checklist.
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Who Was Involved
This report was developed through close collaboration with industry leaders, practitioners, and the golf facilities operating on the ground every day.
The contributors include:
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NGCOA members — owners, general managers, board and committee members who shared real-world data, experiences, and challenges from facilities across the industry
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Industry partners and subject-matter experts across legal, insurance, safety, and operations, including EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, Michael Morris Consulting, Holland & Knight LLP, and Club Safety Solutions LLC
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Obbi Club, working alongside NGCOA to analyse survey responses, identify recurring themes, and translate the findings into clear, practical insights
The report also includes expert commentary covering topics such as risk mitigation, maintenance strategies, board and committee accountability, OSHA citation trends, and emerging regulations — including proposed federal heat standards and their potential operational impact on golf facilities.
Together, these perspectives ensure the report reflects not theory or best-case assumptions, but the actual operational realities facing golf facilities today — from daily safety management to governance-level oversight.
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