Live on a Golf Course...

[tdub]

The Pro at my local establishment told me that the golfer assumes/accepts responsibility for any damage they (or their balls) cause to the homes located on the golf course. Has anyone else heard this? Do you think it is true?

This style sign is found just about anywhere there are houses on a golf course. So yes, I'm sure the homeowner could get evidence of who it was, press charges, let an investigation begin. But I doubt there are too many that would make that happen. It sounds like these people in the article would be the exception.

[wbtfg]

The Pro at my local establishment told me that the golfer assumes/accepts responsibility for any damage they (or their balls) cause to the homes located on the golf course. Has anyone else heard this? Do you think it is true?

This style sign is found just about anywhere there are houses on a golf course. So yes, I'm sure the homeowner could get evidence of who it was, press charges, let an investigation begin. But I doubt there are too many that would make that happen. It sounds like these people in the article would be the exception.

Or...

The golfer who damages a house can own up to it and offer to pay for the damage.

[ilovethecats]

The Pro at my local establishment told me that the golfer assumes/accepts responsibility for any damage they (or their balls) cause to the homes located on the golf course. Has anyone else heard this? Do you think it is true?

This style sign is found just about anywhere there are houses on a golf course. So yes, I'm sure the homeowner could get evidence of who it was, press charges, let an investigation begin. But I doubt there are too many that would make that happen. It sounds like these people in the article would be the exception.

Or...

The golfer who damages a house can own up to it and offer to pay for the damage.

i don't have that kind of money....

[tdub]

The Pro at my local establishment told me that the golfer assumes/accepts responsibility for any damage they (or their balls) cause to the homes located on the golf course. Has anyone else heard this? Do you think it is true?

This style sign is found just about anywhere there are houses on a golf course. So yes, I'm sure the homeowner could get evidence of who it was, press charges, let an investigation begin. But I doubt there are too many that would make that happen. It sounds like these people in the article would be the exception.

Or...

The golfer who damages a house can own up to it and offer to pay for the damage.

I can't disagree with what you are saying and in principle, you are correct. But I consider myself somewhat experienced on this subject...I actually live halfway down the fairway on a par 5 of a golf course. Errant shots happen and I choose to live there. It comes with the territory. We have protective nets on the windows. We don't have a bunch of breakable stuff out back. It's just about taking some preventitive measures to ensure no real damage happens (windows, especially). And in no way would I ever expect someone to come track me down just to own up to accidentally hitting my house...unless they are just drunk and being stupid and doing it intentionally, then I would take action. Otherwise, I consider it fair trade.

I fortunately have never caused damage to someone's house. Which doesn't mean I haven't hit one or two. Heck, once in a tournament I went for a green in two on a long par 5 and hit a horrendous shot. It bounced off a house and back in bounds to a green-side bunker. I birdied the hole (and subsequently apologized to the homeowner that was there and thanked him for the nice bounce). It definitley was a situation where whether I caused damage or not, he could have held me accountable for it or any one of the existing dents on his deck. He could have been tough on me. But instead, we had a good laugh. My whole point is that it is all about your attitude and how you approach living on a golf course. If you want to make every golfer miserable and ruin their day when they uncork a bad shot by being an a$$ to them, you can. But most reasonable people won't.

[Toucat]

The Pro at my local establishment told me that the golfer assumes/accepts responsibility for any damage they (or their balls) cause to the homes located on the golf course. Has anyone else heard this? Do you think it is true?

This style sign is found just about anywhere there are houses on a golf course. So yes, I'm sure the homeowner could get evidence of who it was, press charges, let an investigation begin. But I doubt there are too many that would make that happen. It sounds like these people in the article would be the exception.

Or...

The golfer who damages a house can own up to it and offer to pay for the damage.

I can't disagree with what you are saying and in principle, you are correct. But I consider myself somewhat experienced on this subject...I actually live halfway down the fairway on a par 5 of a golf course. Errant shots happen and I choose to live there. It comes with the territory. We have protective nets on the windows. We don't have a bunch of breakable stuff out back. It's just about taking some preventitive measures to ensure no real damage happens (windows, especially). And in no way would I ever expect someone to come track me down just to own up to accidentally hitting my house...unless they are just drunk and being stupid and doing it intentionally, then I would take action. Otherwise, I consider it fair trade.

I fortunately have never caused damage to someone's house. Which doesn't mean I haven't hit one or two. Heck, once in a tournament I went for a green in two on a long par 5 and hit a horrendous shot. It bounced off a house and back in bounds to a green-side bunker. I birdied the hole (and subsequently apologized to the homeowner that was there and thanked him for the nice bounce). It definitley was a situation where whether I caused damage or not, he could have held me accountable for it or any one of the existing dents on his deck. He could have been tough on me. But instead, we had a good laugh. My whole point is that it is all about your attitude and how you approach living on a golf course. If you want to make every golfer miserable and ruin their day when they uncork a bad shot by being an a$$ to them, you can. But most reasonable people won't.

The Hamilton couple has a little different thoughts than those who have posted. Number 18 on the Hamilton course is basically a straight hole, running from west to east. The couples' home is on the north side of 18, just short of the green. Soon after buying the home the couple requested the golf club move the green, making it a dogleg left so that their home was further from where people were aiming. When the golf club refused to move the green they sued requesting a permanent injunction to prevent the hole from being used (or forcing the club to move the green). I don't think anyone is arguing over who would be liable if someone got hurt or if there were damages, its primarily going to whether the hole needs to be moved.

[GrizinWashington]

I like and appreciate tdub's approach!

Just so you know: If you do ever cause substantial damage to a house (or car, or -- God forbid a person) with a golf ball, your homeowners/renters insurance will cover the damage under the liability section.

[seataccat]

The couples' home is on the north side of 18, just short of the green. Soon after buying the home the couple requested the golf club move the green, making it a dogleg left so that their home was further from where people were aiming.

I think you mean south side. Also, it’s midway on the~400+ yard par 4 so it’s the faded tee shots which cause the most problems. Moving the green north would be tough because there is a steep slope on that side of the green and the south side is private property. Before those houses were there it was a sheep pasture and there was no trespassing to retrieve balls. The farmer use to collect balls by the thousands. It was no secret that whoever moved into that place would have lots of golf balls heading that way from the tee box.

[Toucat]

The couples' home is on the north side of 18, just short of the green. Soon after buying the home the couple requested the golf club move the green, making it a dogleg left so that their home was further from where people were aiming.

I think you mean south side. Also, it’s midway on the~400+ yard par 4 so it’s the faded tee shots which cause the most problems. Moving the green north would be tough because there is a steep slope on that side of the green and the south side is private property. Before those houses were there it was a sheep pasture and there was no trespassing to retrieve balls. The farmer use to collect balls by the thousands. It was no secret that whoever moved into that place would have lots of golf balls heading that way from the tee box.

You're right, the house is on the southside not the north