Golf Australia announces Changes to Player Liability Insurance

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Golf Australia implements changes to Player Liability Insurance

March 1st Changes to affect all holders of Australian Golf Handicaps

Golf Australia, golf's governing body in Australia and administrator of all golf handicaps in the country, is set to implement changes to the Liability Insurance coverage which is included as part of all golf handicaps held by golfers in Australia.

The changes, which go into effect on March 1, 2025, will limit coverage regarding third-party property damage to things like Golf Carts, personal electronics and more.

Golf Australia announced the upcoming policy changes in December 2024 in a letter to clubs and courses. (Changes have been highlighted in bold):

We are writing to inform you of important changes to the Player’s Personal Liability Insurance Policy offered by Golf Australia, which is a key benefit of affiliation membership for all club members.

These changes have been implemented to ensure this policy, which has been in place virtually unchanged for 15 years, can continue to protect players going forward.

In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult and expensive to source this insurance.  As the popularity of golf has grown, we have seen an increase in the number of incidents reported. Golf Australia remains committed to finding solutions that will provide Players Personal Liability Policy to Australian affiliated golfers.

In recent months, Golf Australia has reviewed several options in respect of this policy.  In doing so Golf Australia’s primary objective has been to maintain protection for members in the event of serious personal injury, with changes to take effect from March 1, 2025, to ensure the policy remains affordable and sustainable.

1. Policy Background

Golf Australia has maintained this insurance policy for affiliated club members since 2009 as a key feature of membership.  Negotiating as a collective, we can secure coverage at a far lower cost than would otherwise be available to individual clubs and/or players, whilst delivering quality coverage for the benefit of members.  Over the past five years, the policy has paid $3.4 million in claims to protect our members.

As an added incentive for golfers to take out a membership, insurance has always been limited to club members and does not apply to non-members or green fee players.

The original purpose of the policy was to protect members from significant liability if they caused personal injury to another golfer/person.  The policy was established following the legal action taken by an injured golfer because of an incident at the Magnetic Island Golf Club in 1994 and subsequent court ruling in 2003.

Golf Australia’s Player Personal Liability Policy offers up to $20 million personal liability cover with nil excess for protection against litigation from a third party for damage to property or personal injury that occurs while an eligible member is playing or practising golf.  Golf Australia sources this policy each year and forms part of the National affiliation fees which each Club pays on behalf of all affiliated golf members.

2. Policy Review

There has been a significant increase in claims frequency over the past five years on the policy, with claims rising by 129% since 2020 to a total of 581 submitted in the 2024 financial year.

Our review has identified that most claims against the policy over recent years fall outside of the original intent of the program.  Specifically, while the policy was intended to provide coverage for personal injury claims, the policy is now being primarily used for property damage claims, many with small financial value.

A high proportion of these claims are concentrated to a small number of clubs that experience property damage claims at a significantly higher rate than the balance of the industry.

The direct consequence of this increase in claims is that the cost of the policy has increased significantly, and Golf Australia is now challenged in sourcing insurers that are willing to provide coverage.

It is for this reason that Golf Australia has considered several changes in respect of this policy.

3. What is changing?

The following changes to the policy terms, will take effect from March 1, 2025.

Exclusions: Specific exclusions have been added for any claim, loss, damage, liability or costs and expenses incurred directly or indirectly in connection with third party property damage to:

golf carts; and

personal electronic devices include phone, iPad, watch, rangefinder or anything similar.

Excess: There are now three categories of insurance claim:

a. Personal injury claims – NO excess will be payable

b. Property damage where golfer is found to have followed all expected duty of care, local rules and the Rules of Golf – NO excess payable

c. Property damage where golfer is found to have acted in a negligent manner and caused damage to a third-party property - $1,000 excess is payable

Claims Process: Before the excess is payable on all property damage claims, the insurer will conduct a thorough investigation to determine if the individual member is likely to incur any legal liability through negligence.

The policy was established to provide legal protection for affiliated members, not to provide cover for any golfing incidence regardless of the cause, and in some instances, the cause of the incident may be found to be another party (ie.  Club with a known boundary issue).

In these instances, the insurer will indemnify the member as is the intent of the policy and if the insurer determines that that member was not negligent in their actions and therefore not liable, then the insurer may choose to defend the claim rather than settle the claim.

With this increased focus of investigation during the claims process, Clubs that are involved in a high level of property damage claims must ensure they have adequate risk management practices in place to reduce the likelihood of recurring incidents occurring.

Woke Blokes Podcast – SGA’s Matthew Pitt on being part of a community

WokeBlokes

SGA Founder Matthew Pitt featured on Woke Blokes Podcast

SGA Managing Director and founder Matthew Pitt is featured on a recent episode of the popular Woke Blokes podcast.  In this episode, Matt talks about the importance of belonging to a community and feeling connected.

The Woke Bloke Podcast is hosted by Nick Sutherland from MyndFit. MyndFit is a community helping people become mentally fitter, stronger and healthier by training the mind to think differently. Also on the episode is Ryan Hassan from The Centre for Healing.

Listen to the podcast here

SGA launches Golf and Wine Tours

Golf and Wine Tours

SGA Launches Golf and Wine Tours

Golf and Wine Tours

Social Golf Australia are excited to launch a brand-new golf service: our fully-hosted Golf and Wine Tours! The new service gives our golfers access to fun, professional and high-quality Australian golf travel adventures. And, best of all, they are affordably priced.

Imagine playing some of Australia’s best golf courses, and sampling some of the world's best wines. Then, after golf, you explore quaint Aussie towns, and tour local attractions. At the end of the day, relax in high-quality accommodation, and enjoy world-class food!

It's a dream holiday for many.

Best of all, SGA will do all the work. We'll take care of the planning, scheduling, tee-times, transfers and arrangements. All you do need to is show up, play golf and, most importantly, have fun!

Each tour is fully hosted by a member of the highly-experienced SGA Travel staff. With decades of travel and touring experience under our belts, and a huge network of travel partners, SGA provides fun and memorable travel adventures!

Plus, the non-golfing partners will be taken care of, too. A range of activities are on offer for each tour. Whether it's shopping, or enjoying a spa treatment, or just exploring the local landmarks or attractions, there are plenty of adventures on the menu!

DESTINATIONS

Our first tour will be the 2021 Golf and Wine Tour of South Australia and The Barossa Valley, November 14-20! In the future, we'll add more packages and destinations. These will include Western Australia’s Margaret River, NSW’s The Hunter Valley, and many more. (so watch this space!)

For more on SGA Travel, including customised tours other locations across Australia and internationally, visit our SGA Hosted Trips and Travel Page.

Upcoming Tours

2025 SGA Vietnam Golf Week
Da Nang, Vietnam. March 2-8, 2025.
Enjoy Vietnam Golf at its finest. Tee it up in SGA's 7-day Vietnam golf week, playing in Da Nang.
Read More
2024 Mission Hills Masters
Hainan Island. June 9-15, 2024.
Tee it up at a tropical island paradise with sandy beaches, a five-star resort, and world-class golf, at the 2024 Mission Hills Masters.
Read More
Hoiana
2024 SGA Vietnam Golf Week – Da Nang & Hoi An
Da Nang, Vietnam. March 3-9, 2024.
Enjoy Vietnam Golf at its finest. Tee it up in SGA's 7-day Vietnam golf week, playing in Da Nang and Hoi An.
Read More
Siam Waterside
2023 SGA Pattaya Golf Week – Pattaya, Thailand
Pattaya, Thailand. March 5-11, 2023.
Experience Thailand Golf at its very best. Enjoy a week of luxury, fun, friendship and adventure in the 2023 Pattaya Golf Week.
Read More
Hoiana
2023 SGA Vietnam Golf Week – Da Nang & Hoi An
Da Nang, Vietnam. Feb 19-25, 2023.
Enjoy Vietnam Golf at its finest. Tee it up in SGA's 7-day Vietnam golf week, playing in Da Nang and Hoi An.
Read More
2022 Bonville Coffs
2022 Bonville and Coffs Harbour Golf Tour
Bonville and Coffs Harbour - Sept 4-10, 2022.
Enjoy a 7-day/6-night golf tour of Bonville and Coffs Harbour, including 4 rounds of golf at top golf courses, meals, transfers and more
Read More

SGA Founder featured on Woke Blokes Podcast

SGA's Matthew Pitt on The Woke Blokes Podcast

SGA Founder Matthew Pitt featured on Woke Blokes Podcast

SGA's Matthew Pitt on The Woke Blokes Podcast

SGA Managing Director and founder Matthew Pitt is featured on a recent episode of the popular Woke Blokes podcast.  In this episode, Matt talks about dealing with grief--and the subsequent rebuilding of his life--after the devastating loss of his wife.

Moving forward following the loss of a loved one is never an easy task. Let alone when the survivor is suddenly tasked with raising three small children and running a small business. And Matthew faced this exact scenario in 2018.

Following the loss of his wife, Sally, to breast cancer, Matt began picking up the pieces to his life--emotionally, mentally and physically. He tried to find a way to forge ahead, both for himself and his children.

In the Podcast, Matt shares his experiences in an open, honest and tear-jerking discussion. He delves into a man's journey of dealing with heartbreak, and helping his children cope with their loss. He also shares how he found inspiration and life lessons through the game of golf. In addition, he discusses how he is slowly finding a way to take small steps forward.

Matt also talks about the important part golf plays in his life, and how Social Golf Australia works as a caring community; not only for him but also for people that join the various events every year.

The Woke Bloke Podcast is hosted by Nick Sutherland from MyndFit. MyndFit is a community helping people become mentally fitter, stronger and healthier by training the mind to think differently. Also on the episode is Ryan Hassan from The Centre for Healing.

Listen to the podcast here

Or watch the YouTube video below: