Uh...Oh...Errant ball goes through birdcage :(

[pklein9747]

So DH and I are out on Truman tonight and DH hits a ball on hole 4 that sails left and we hear bong, bing and know he's hit something. As we come up the path, the homeowner of the CYV meets us and says, "Here's your ball...you put it through my screen" Sure enough there is a hole at the top of the birdcage. And another hole in the screen next to it. The ball he handed us was my husband's (at least it was the same make). The homeowner suggested we contact our insurance company. We exchanged name cards and I asked the homeowner to get 3 estimates to repair the one (1) screen panel. He balked at that and said T&D put the birdcage up and that was the only estimate he would get. I told him I was checking with our insurance but was sure 3 estimates would be required.

Since we've been lucky enough to never hit anything while on the course, can anyone give us some guidelines, assistance. And, any idea of what an upper screen on a midsize birdcage would cost?

Thanks.

[chuckster]

You have a moral NOT a legal obligation to pay for repairs. Home owners live on golf courses at their own risk with knowledge of stray shots. Had 3 screens damaged over the years. Not one golfer came forward, you are the exception. As far as cost, approximately 70.00 - 90.00/panel.

[deltaguy]

So DH and I are out on Truman tonight and DH hits a ball on hole 4 that sails left and we hear bong, bing and know he's hit something. As we come up the path, the homeowner of the CYV meets us and says, "Here's your ball...you put it through my screen" Sure enough there is a hole at the top of the birdcage. And another hole in the screen next to it. The ball he handed us was my husband's (at least it was the same make). The homeowner suggested we contact our insurance company. We exchanged name cards and I asked the homeowner to get 3 estimates to repair the one (1) screen panel. He balked at that and said T&D put the birdcage up and that was the only estimate he would get. I told him I was checking with our insurance but was sure 3 estimates would be required.

Since we've been lucky enough to never hit anything while on the course, can anyone give us some guidelines, assistance. And, any idea of what an upper screen on a midsize birdcage would cost?

Thanks.

Give the guy $75 and don't involve your Insurance Co.

[getdul981]

What type of insurance do you have that would cover someone else's birdcage screen anyway?

[justjim]

You have a moral NOT a legal obligation to pay for repairs. Home owners live on golf courses at their own risk with knowledge of stray shots. Had 3 screens damaged over the years. Not one golfer came forward, you are the exception. As far as cost, approximately 70.00 - 90.00/panel.

Chuckster: Maybe you are liable and maybe not. Depends---I've read articles both ways. You are exactly correct about a moral obligation. Anyway, who is going to court for such a small amount---probably less than a $100.00? Maybe I have just been lucky but I have never damaged any property or nobody in my foursome has to my knowledge. But it does happen. :gc:

[skyguy79]

Give the guy $75 and don't involve your Insurance Co.I don't play golf, but I do agree with this statement. Contacting the insurance company could cause you grief down the road like it did us when we moved here.

We had Allstate for years and years, and when we tried to get coverage on our home down here we were denied because we had 3 incidents of filing a claim them back in NYS. One was legit but the other two were not. We got them to remove one false claim which the found was nothing more that an inquire to find out if we had flood insurance. No claim was ever filed.

The other bogus reason was when a Lowes truck backed into our house front tree that was there for decades. They tore off a large branch and was told by the tree service that the tree had to be replaced. So I got the estimate to file with Lowes Insurance Co.

When they gave a denial of claim, using every trick in the book to get out of their responsibility, I contacted Allstate to simply report it and inform them of what was going on. My ins. agent told me that she would file a claim with Allstate anyway so we would at least get something now and they would go after the other ins. company to try to get us the rest we deserved to be made whole.

Allstate then later used that claim against us for the denial, a claim that we never asked for but was processed simply based on our trying to provide them with info. If we realized that such a ridiculous thing like that would hurt us down the road, we would have never even bothered to inform them in the first place. I guess that trying to do the right thing can sometimes give you a good swift kick in your patootie!

[l2ridehd]

You are not legally liable to pay for their screen. However, personally I would. I would agree to a price up to about $100 and pay them. Morally it is the right thing to do.

[Birdie Dreamer]

I would agree that you need to what you think is right in this case.

There are a couple of things that don't make sense to me though. I having lived in South Florida for 17 years on a golf course, I have had my screen hit numerous times and have hit a few along with some of my playing partners.

It is extremely rare for it to make a hole ( unless the screen was very old ). They usually bounce off and leave a mark on the ball. To go through two screens seems unlikely to me. Second, I interpreted your post that you heard the ball hit. Normally you only hear it if it hits something solid. Hitting screens does not make enough noise to hear from the point of the shot.

No doubt the homeowner had your golf ball, but I question if it did the damage stated.

[rubicon]

The issue of liability usually is in flux depending on case law in each state. Often Championship golf Courses issue rules addressing responsibility for damages.

Clearly many golfers feel a right to enter onto private property to retrieve their errant balls and yet feel no moral obligation when we damage property.

It is unfair to use that straw man excuse that homeowners that choose to buy on a golf course get what they deserve.

Certainly golf course homeowners understand that an errant ball I a possibility but in that same vein expect golfers will own up to their responsibility. I mean if you hit someone's house its not like the house moved in front of the ball.

Homeowner policies ave a goodwill provision called "Property Damage To Others" which usually pays up to $500 irrespective of liability .

I believe the homeowner will find that the insurance company is well versed in what comany (s) are the most competitive and it is likely that T&D is one of those companies.

One poster complained about insurance problems stemming from reported claims. It is likely that given the soft Homeowner market in florida probably created some of that.

[asianthree]

I hit my ball and it landed right next to the out of bound stake..walked up to look at what my next shot might be and then walked back to where the rest of the group was hitting...when we drove back to my ball the homeowner was waiting telling me i hit his house and wanted money.:$:..he was holding a pink ball..i smiled said not mine and walked over to my white ball and hit...told him he might get more money if he stole the ball someone was playing with and not using his own

[charlie49]

Judge Judy had a case involving property damage on a golf course from an errant shot. She ruled the golfer was not responsible. The property owner cannot enjoy the good parts of living on a course and not accept the fact that the house can be hit by balls. She further explained that it is not necessarily a lack of skills or training that results in bad shots as even professionals hit bad shots at times. A recent New York Times article agreed with Judge Judy and went on further to say that even hitting other golfers with errant shots does not make the hitter liable for injuries. The exception would be if someone could prove the golfer intentionally tried to hit the person or properties on the course. I live on a course and knew when we bought that being on a course has good and bad points.

If the property owner is being nice, I would consider giving them some compensation, if they are being a jerk, I would tell them to take me to court.

[spk7951]

Check with Todd's Screen Repairs out of Leesburg. He replaced a screen on our birdcage last September for $50.

[murray607]

So DH and I are out on Truman tonight and DH hits a ball on hole 4 that sails left and we hear bong, bing and know he's hit something. As we come up the path, the homeowner of the CYV meets us and says, "Here's your ball...you put it through my screen" Sure enough there is a hole at the top of the birdcage. And another hole in the screen next to it. The ball he handed us was my husband's (at least it was the same make). The homeowner suggested we contact our insurance company. We exchanged name cards and I asked the homeowner to get 3 estimates to repair the one (1) screen panel. He balked at that and said T&D put the birdcage up and that was the only estimate he would get. I told him I was checking with our insurance but was sure 3 estimates would be required.

Since we've been lucky enough to never hit anything while on the course, can anyone give us some guidelines, assistance. And, any idea of what an upper screen on a midsize birdcage would cost?

Thanks.

I was told of a course where a homeowner used to play a sound clip from the Queen Song "Another One Bites the Dust" each time she heard a ball land in her property.
Obviously she was amused by the amount of errant shots and was prepared to blast out her anthem each time one got within her confines.

".........and another one's gone, another one's gone, another one bites the dust..........."

[keithwand]

I wonder how many times/ people this homeowner has collected for these holes?
Sounds like a con.

[deltaguy]

Judge Judy had a case involving property damage on a golf course from an errant shot. She ruled the golfer was not responsible. The property owner cannot enjoy the good parts of living on a course and not accept the fact that the house can be hit by balls. She further explained that it is not necessarily a lack of skills or training that results in bad shots as even professionals hit bad shots at times. A recent New York Times article agreed with Judge Judy and went on further to say that even hitting other golfers with errant shots does not make the hitter liable for injuries. The exception would be if someone could prove the golfer intentionally tried to hit the person or properties on the course. I live on a course and knew when we bought that being on a course has good and bad points.

If the property owner is being nice, I would consider giving them some compensation, if they are being a jerk, I would tell them to take me to court.

Such a wonderful place we live in; TV. How can so many people not understand if they broke something they should pay for it. Who gives a damn about Judge Judy or the cheapskates who will fight an issue like this to save $100 bucks. If you did it, pay for it.

[ijusluvit]

Such a wonderful place we live in; TV. How can so many people not understand if they broke something they should pay for it. Who gives a damn about Judge Judy or the cheapskates who will fight an issue like this to save $100 bucks. If you did it, pay for it.


This is a pretty good philosophy but it isn't right if the homeowner picks up your ball and claims you did what was prior damage. Two statements in the OP's description of the situation strongly suggest that.

Another dilemma.

[charlie49]

Such a wonderful place we live in; TV. How can so many people not understand if they broke something they should pay for it. Who gives a damn about Judge Judy or the cheapskates who will fight an issue like this to save $100 bucks. If you did it, pay for it.

So, you slice a ball and it hits a person on another fairway and they sue you for thousands of dollars. Will you not consider the law before paying their claim?

[marhitch]

.. I would not pay.. Some times it just the way the ball bounces .. Sounds like a SCAM
to me ..

[rayschic]

I wonder how many times/ people this homeowner has collected for these holes?
Sounds like a con.

If you think it might be a con, tell them to have the screen repaired and then give them a check made out to T&D.

[deltaguy]

.. I would not pay.. Some times it just the way the ball bounces .. Sounds like a SCAM
to me ..

Only in TV!
What a diabolical way to perpetrate a scam. Hide behind a bush and wait for a lousy golfer to hit one onto your property and claim damage. What ever happened to common courtesy and sense of responsibility. Guess it's not something many Villagers think is necessary.

[Count'n the days]

Your insurance will most likely cover it. Sound's like you're an upstanding person and would feel better by doing the right thing. That would make something positive out of a negative experience.

When our window (Andersen double pane) was broken by our son's 9 yr. old friend with a baseball, our insurance didn't cover it. We were told it would have had the roles been reversed. We advised our son that should he ever damage anything at a friend's house to be sure to let us know so we could do the right thing. I hope I would live up the expectations I had for my 8 yr. old son.

Best of luck to you.

[twiceis]

My husband broke someone's window in Orange Blossom and did the right thing by contacting the owner. She got an estimate and we splt the difference...about $75.

[Barefoot]

So DH and I are out on Truman tonight and DH hits a ball on hole 4 that sails left and we hear bong, bing and know he's hit something.

Such a wonderful place we live in; TV. How can so many people not understand if they broke something they should pay for it. Who gives a damn about Judge Judy or the cheapskates who will fight an issue like this to save $100 bucks. If you did it, pay for it.

Good for you Pklein. You're doing the right thing. :thumbup:

[Birdie Dreamer]

I agree one should take responsibility for the consequences of their actions.

However, I maintain that based on the OP's original comment that "we hear bong, bing and know he's hit something" there is no way the ball went through one screen let alone two.

[Barefoot]

You are not legally liable to pay for their screen. However, personally I would. I would agree to a price up to about $100 and pay them. Morally it is the right thing to do.

I agree. From an integrity point of view, it's the right thing to do.

[ouatiny]

YOU BROKE OT YOU BOUGHT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wether the legal poit is valid or not you did it you know you did it the homeowner knows you did it pay for it and move on with life as a good citizen------ i honestly can not nbelive the people here telling you to not ignore it walk away. The problem in this country is no one will take responsibility for their own actions blame everyting that goes wrong in your life on someone else make somone else pay bla bla bla.
Be a good citizen pay your neighbor for the damage you did and then take a golf lesson:)

[NoMoSno]

:agree:

[kittygilchrist]

With all the phone cameras in hand and security cams on nice houses, I'd think trying to slink away could turn out to be an embarrassment.

[Sanibel7]

[QUOTE=ouatiny;728844]YOU BROKE OT YOU BOUGHT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wether the legal poit is valid or not you did it you know you did it the homeowner knows you did it pay for it and move on with life as a good citizen------ i honestly can not nbelive the people here telling you to not ignore it walk away. The problem in this country is no one will take responsibility for their own actions blame everyting that goes wrong in your life on someone else make somone else pay bla bla bla.
Be a good citizen pay your neighbor for the damage you did and then take a golf lesson:)[/QUOTE Yes I agree, You did it pay for it! Now for the people that think just because people who live on the golf course should pay for all the damages that bad golfers do, NO! Just imagine you driving down the road and someone goes OPPS I hit your golf cart, car, bushes, house, etc. you have no legal obligations because it was an OPPS and destroyed property? Wake UP!

[njbchbum]

from what i have read here, the golfer hit the ball and heard it hit something but did not see it hit anything. the homeowner returned the ball to the golfer, but met them on the path to do so. would a golf ball make that bong/bing kind of sound going thru a screen or does screening make a tearing/ripping sound? might the homeowner have picked up the ball from their lawn or shrubs and walked it out to the path if, indeed, the golf ball was inside the birdcage - why did the homeowner not leave it there to better show the accuracy of the damage?

where do people see other than just think that it is for certain that the golf ball did the damage claimed by the owner?

i think i'm going with judge judy on this one.

[kittygilchrist]

from what i have read here, the golfer hit the ball and heard it hit something but did not see it hit anything. the homeowner returned the ball to the golfer, but met them on the path to do so. would a golf ball make that bong/bing kind of sound going thru a screen or does screening make a tearing/ripping sound? might the homeowner have picked up the ball from their lawn or shrubs and walked it out to the path if, indeed, the golf ball was inside the birdcage - why did the homeowner not leave it there to better show the accuracy of the damage?

where do people see other than just think that it is for certain that the golf ball did the damage claimed by the owner?

i think i'm going with judge judy on this one.shaking my head in disbelief....did I just read that? I can't by any stretch of imagination think that I would somehow have holes in my birdcage and sit around waiting for a golfer to hit a ball into my house, with evil intent run out to pick the ball up and show it the golfer, who already knows they hit something wrong near my house and is now walking my way to see what they hit, and then I would falsely allege that they had made the holes in the birdcage. You have got to be kidding.

the reason for picking up the ball is obvious; the golfer can likely be identified.

[deltaguy]

shaking my head in disbelief....did i just read that? I can't by any stretch of imagination think that i would somehow have holes in my birdcage and sit around waiting for a golfer to hit a ball into my house, with evil intent run out to pick the ball up and show it the golfer, who already knows they hit something wrong near my house and is now walking my way to see what they hit, and then i would falsely allege that they had made the holes in the birdcage. You have got to be kidding.

The reason for picking up the ball is obvious; the golfer can likely be identified.

amen!

[nitehawk]

I am not paying - sue me !!! you wanted a house on a fairway -- make it golf ball proof --- buyer beware --- go get insurance for your home and collect from your insurance company. No i am not a nice person - sorry and if you are a nice person then pay for the damage yourself

[keithwand]

T&D does offer a better more expensive screen. In some areas it's called a pet screen that dogs (golf balls) can't go through. It's a little darker too.
My neighbor has collected a 5 gallon pail of golf balls in a 6 month period and has had NO damage to house or screens.
Still seems a little fishy.

So how many of you out there have had a ball go through your screen?

[l2ridehd]

I just don't get it? You know you hit something. You heard it. If the homeowner is trying to scam me, then he is the one who won't sleep well, not me. Somehow I will work it out to fix it. Even if I hire the person to go do it. I know I am not legally obligated to do so, but I would somehow make it right.

And yes if I hit a person and they sued me for thousands, I would somehow try to help them. I might fight it if I thought they were trying to take advantage of me, but I would still try to make it right somehow.

Take responsibility for your actions. When I was about 10 years old, I broke a neighbors window with a baseball. I had to work it off and pay for it. Half of what is wrong in this country is parents who protect their kids form taking responsibility for their actions. Seems some of them have grown up and now live in The Villages. Be a good mentor for your grandchildren and do the right thing. For $100 you can be a hero, or for nothing you can be an a****le. Your choice.

[Barefoot]

I am not paying - sue me !!! you wanted a house on a fairway -- make it golf ball proof --- buyer beware --- go get insurance for your home and collect from your insurance company. No i am not a nice person - sorry and if you are a nice person then pay for the damage yourself

......

[ouatiny]

Homeowners on Pelican bay country club Daytona Beach Florida along the 9th fairway of the 2nd 18 hole course collected Thousands of dollars in compensation for golf ball damage to their houses period fact--- the law you refer to as J:J used it caled an atractive nusiance you are suposed to know that if you kive on a colf course you may get pelted with golf balls yes this is written........ again they homeowners collected thousands and the course had to redesign the hole to get gplf balls away from tyhe house
you see judges in this country now are able to make the law anythong they want be cause we let them. for all of the above if you hit a house and break somthing be sure to hire judge judy her tv show is not real law it is a tv show based on what ever law miss judy likes today.