The ‘Must-Have’ Sections of a Golf Club Waiver

When you dreamed of owning a golf course, you probably envisioned – doing what you love and loving what you do. The lush fairways… the happy golfers…and the joy of providing a place for recreation…. You didn’t picture yourself drowning in legal battles because a golfer ignored safety rules (again) or took an ill-advised shortcut with a golf cart.

The truth is, no matter how responsible you are as an owner, accidents happen. And when they do, you don’t want to spend weeks defending against lawsuits over things that were beyond your control. That’s why before you send your golfers and your assets out of sight, having a strong waiver is a must.  It protects your club, your business, and ultimately, your ability to keep providing a great golfing experience.

One question we get asked is, “What should my waiver include?”, “I don’t know how to write one, and I’m not sure what to include”.   This blog provides you with the top 10 Must Have sections in your golf waiver. While it won’t cover everything under the golden sun, these are things that can’t be missed.

Identification of the Parties

 Your waiver should start with clearly identifying who is involved. This means:

• The full legal name and address of your golf club.
• The full legal name and contact details of the patron or member signing the waiver.
• A designation of their role—are they a member, a guest, or an event participant?

This section sets the foundation for the agreement and ensures there is no ambiguity about who is agreeing to what with whom.

Acknowledgment of Risk

A golf course is a place of fun, but it also comes with inherent risks. Your waiver should outline:

• The common hazards of the game—errant golf balls, swinging clubs, slippery grass, uneven terrain, wildlife, and unpredictable weather conditions.
• The known hazards of your particular course – steep terrain, need to cross public streets, alligators!
• A clear statement that the patron acknowledges these risks and accepts responsibility for their own safety.

By signing, they confirm they understand that golf—like any sport—comes with its dangers.

Release of Liability and Indemnification

This is the heart of your waiver. It should include:

• A statement releasing your club, its owners, employees, and affiliates from liability for injuries or damages that occur during play.
• An indemnification clause, meaning the patron agrees not to sue you for things that happen as a result of playing golf or being on the property.

This protects you from claims that arise from normal golf-related activities.

Medical Treatment and Emergency Clause

If a player suffers an injury, your waiver should:

• Authorize your staff to seek emergency medical attention if needed.
• Clearly state that medical expenses are the responsibility of the patron or member, not the golf club.

This prevents disputes over who is liable for medical bills in the event of an injury. But more importantly, it empowers your staff to make ambulance calls when they think they need to, and not when management approves the potential expense.   We don’t want to tread into negligence territory as no waiver will save you from that!

Code of Conduct Agreement

To keep your course safe and enjoyable, your waiver should include:

• A list of behavioral expectations—respect for staff, adherence to course rules, and responsible alcohol consumption.
• Consequences for violations, such as removal from the course or suspension of membership, reporting incidents to the police.

This helps set clear expectations from the start and provides a legal basis for enforcing club policies. And again, this empowers the staff. Knowing that on the rare instances when they need to, they can call authorities without repercussion will help them feel safer and more respected at work.

Equipment and Property Damage Clause

This is the biggie, and the one we think about most often when we think of waivers. Patrons should know they are responsible for damages to:

• Golf carts (especially when used recklessly).
• Rented equipment.
• Course property, such as greens, bunkers, or clubhouse facilities.
• Private property, such as surrounding homes and cars

This section ensures they can’t pass the bill to you if they roll a cart, or smash a homeowner or clubhouse window with a rogue drive.

Parental Consent for Minors

If your course allows junior golfers, your waiver should include a separate section for minors, just like you’ve seen at every trampoline park ever built:

• A parent or guardian must sign on their behalf.
• A statement confirming that they understand the risks and agree to supervise their child.

This protects you from liability if a minor gets injured or causes damange on your course.

Media and Photography Release

If you host tournaments or events, you may want to use photos or videos for marketing. Your waiver should:

• Grant permission for the club to use images of patrons taken on the course.
• Offer an opt-in or opt-out option for those who prefer not to be included.

 This prevents disputes over privacy and the use of images for promotional purposes.

Waiver Validity and Legal Jurisdiction

Make it clear how long the waiver remains in effect—is it for a single event, a season, or an annual membership? Also, includea jurisdiction clause specifying which province or state laws apply in case of a dispute.

This avoids confusion about when the waiver expires and where legal matters will be handled.

Signature & Date

A waiver is useless without a valid signature. Ensure:

• Every patron signs and dates the document.
• Digital waivers (if used) comply with electronic signature laws in your area.

This final step makes it legally binding and enforceable.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, a waiver isn’t about taking the fun out of golf—it’s about keeping you in business and out of court. Golfers come to your course to enjoy themselves, but accidents and incidents will happen. A well-structured waiver ensures that when they do, you’re protected from costly legal battles over things you can’t control.

If you haven’t updated your waiver recently, now is the time to buy back your time. Work with an expert to tailor it to your province or state’s laws, and consider offering digital waivers to streamline the process. That way, you can focus on running a great golf club—not defending yourself in a courtroom.

Ready to reduce your risk? Contact us to ask about eGolf digital online Waiver or Request a Quote, today.