[Cantwaittoarrive]

IF you read the following you will see that most courts have held that the golfer is not responsible for errant shots that hit houses or cars driving by on the road.

http://www.willamette.edu/wucl/pdf/s.../scoffield.pdf

[gustavo]

Originally Posted by Gerald

Sad to hear that so many would not pay for what they did. Bottom line is a fact both by law and course rules you hit the house and do damage you pay for the repair. However most people here that play golf don' t follow rules anyway. Ask any real lawyer or ask at the village golf in Spanish springs headquarters.

Please provide a source for your "facts" as you are dead wrong. There is no "rule" or "law" stating what you just tried to BS the reader into believing!!!

[buggyone]

I, too, am surprised at the lack of morals and ethics that so many Villagers seem to have about their personal responsibility with an errant golf shot that causes damage.

You can bet if you are ever riding with me and your shot breaks a window, I am going to drive over to that house and give them your name and address.

[redwitch]

Originally Posted by buggyone

I, too, am surprised at the lack of morals and ethics that so many Villagers seem to have about their personal responsibility with an errant golf shot that causes damage.

You can bet if you are ever riding with me and your shot breaks a window, I am going to drive over to that house and give them your name and address.

I doubt I would play golf with this individual again but I most certainly would not force him/her to go with me to the damaged home. First, the golfer who hit the house is not legally responsible, just morally and if the morals of this individual feel no responsibility, nothing you are going to say or do will change that. Second, you could be charged with unlawful detainment (or the Florida equivalent) and/or kidnapping if you took this person to the house against his/her will. Is it worth that?

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Originally Posted by buggyone

I, too, am surprised at the lack of morals and ethics that so many Villagers seem to have about their personal responsibility with an errant golf shot that causes damage.

You can bet if you are ever riding with me and your shot breaks a window, I am going to drive over to that house and give them your name and address.

So what give them the name and address the home owner has no recourse. This has nothing to do with morals or ethics. It would only have something to do with morals or ethics if it was done intentionally.

[ROCKETMAN]

I once hit a state senators son in the mouth with a errant shot. I hollered four and 3 of them hid behind some schrubs but he stuck his head out and hit him in the teeth. the father told me my homeowners insurance would cover some of the medical and he was right. in Wisconsin at least unless you do something stupid you have no liability if you hit a house or a person.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by pqrstar

Here is the Villages statement "Common Golf Course Etiquette" regarding your questions.

Golf The Villages

It states ..."Please never play a ball from the yard of a resident. It is also appropriate to report any damage of private property to the homeowner. We ask that you never retrieve your ball from a resident’s property."

pqrstar: Thank you for taking the time to red my post.

Again many insurance companies have coverage for property damage to others that is NOT based on liability.

The main reason most golfers get away with not paying are 1) they leave the scene 2) the damages are not costly and so a claim/;awsuit is not pursued.

I assure you if a golfer hit another golfer on a course and the golfer hit died that situation would end up in court provided. I'll wager a jury would find the golfer responsible for the plaintiff ( deceased) death.

[DougB]

Unless the golfer was negligent, I don't know, I think I would take that bet.

[buggyone]

" Second, you could be charged with unlawful detainment (or the Florida equivalent) and/or kidnapping if you took this person to the house against his/her will. Is it worth that?"

Good thought. How about if I would just give the homeowner the golfer's name and address and then drive off without him? He would get the message about what kind of scum I thought of such a person at that point, wouldn't he?

[e-flyer]

I've played a few courses in my lifetime that were surrounded by multi-million dollar house and yes, those palladium windows are very expensive. That said, up north a lot of the courses have signs at the first tee box stating that the golfer is responsible for any errant shots that cause damage to homes. Perhaps private courses/country clubs have different rules. I've been lucky "knock on wood" that I haven't sent one that far left or right, but I've seen many do it and take off like the big yellow belly chickens they are! I'm sure your parents raised you to "do the right thing and make amends" when you are wrong. Man up and pay for your consequences. The law may state otherwise, but it's the honorable thing to do. Ok, I'm done with my rant for the evening!

[redwitch]

Originally Posted by buggyone

"How about if I would just give the homeowner the golfer's name and address and then drive off without him? He would get the message about what kind of scum I thought of such a person at that point, wouldn't he?

Works for me. I'm sure he'd get the message and you wouldn't end up in jail. One stupid question since I don't play golf -- would leaving your passenger cause you to be banned from playing at that course? Just curious.

[buggyone]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Works for me. I'm sure he'd get the message and you wouldn't end up in jail. One stupid question since I don't play golf -- would leaving your passenger cause you to be banned from playing at that course? Just curious.

Probably not - just inform the clubhouse of the circumstances and they would understand, I am sure. This is basically speculating since I don't think it will ever happen to me.

[Easyrider]

Originally Posted by buggyone

" Second, you could be charged with unlawful detainment (or the Florida equivalent) and/or kidnapping if you took this person to the house against his/her will. Is it worth that?"

Good thought. How about if I would just give the homeowner the golfer's name and address and then drive off without him? He would get the message about what kind of scum I thought of such a person at that point, wouldn't he?

A little hard to understand why anyone would feel so strongly that they have the right to force their opinions or thoughts on someone else if they have clearly chosen to do differently? Obviously many don't feel responsible and if the law is on their side and they really are not responsible legally, right or wrong, who can tell them different?

Also ever hear that every action (like leaving someone) generates an equal and opposite reaction?

As they say speak your mind but have a fast horse available..

[looneycat]

Originally Posted by blueeagle65

You live on or near a golf course with expectations of being hit by golf balls with no liability assignable to the golfer. It kind of sucks that you also paid a premium for this piece of property doesn't it?

and unfortunately, having paid that premium is why you are responsible, it proves your choice to live in a spot likely to put you in that kind of jeopardy, ahhh the irony!

[graciegirl]

Boy Howdy.