£10,000 Compensation paid at Bellshill GC

Must admit, I don't have golf insurance and never have done. I'm pretty sure the club has a policy that covers all members, but I don't know the details and think it probably only covers us at the club.

I always act responsibly in terms of not playing when there is a possibility of hitting someone, shout "fore" when I do hit a wayward one. I don't think, if hit, that I'd sue anyone who was acting in that manner so wouldn't expect to be sued either. Naive?

I'm a member of Bellshill where the claim happened, I now have golf insurance for the first time in nearly 40 years.
 
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If you were out in the car, and accidently pulled out in front of another vehicle should you have to pay out to the other road user? The other road user knows that there is a risk when using the road.

Why is it so easy to accept the need for insurance for driving the car but not for out on the golf course?

If someone has suffered permanent damage or loss due to a wayward shot, why can't they sue?

But if you were out in the car Hobbit, there are a specific set of rules to be abided by, the reasonable assumption that your ability has been tested in respect of your knowledge of those rules and your ability to control the vehicle and a legal requirement to have insurance, none of which apply to the golf course.
 
I'm a member of Bellshill where the claim happened, I now have golf insurance for the first time in nearly 40 years.

How have the general membership at Bellshill reacted to the incident and subsequent findings? Are they falling on a particular side of the argument, has it caused some tension in the club or is it not really mentioned?

Understandable if you dont want to say anything on a public forum, am just interested?
 
Must admit, I don't have golf insurance and never have done. I'm pretty sure the club has a policy that covers all members, but I don't know the details and think it probably only covers us at the club.

I always act responsibly in terms of not playing when there is a possibility of hitting someone, shout "fore" when I do hit a wayward one. I don't think, if hit, that I'd sue anyone who was acting in that manner so wouldn't expect to be sued either. Naive?

In response to this I queried what cover our club had for members and was pleasantly surprised to find that members were covered for Personal liability, personal accident and accidental damage while playing anywhere in the UK. Result :) We have so many visitors and non-golfing walkers on our course that perhaps we've had to be very belt & braces in offering this level of cover but might be worth asking at your own clubs before splashing out. This cover is extended to visiting golfers as part of their green fee.
 
How have the general membership at Bellshill reacted to the incident and subsequent findings? Are they falling on a particular side of the argument, has it caused some tension in the club or is it not really mentioned?

Understandable if you dont want to say anything on a public forum, am just interested?

PM sent :thup:
 
Must admit, I don't have golf insurance and never have done. I'm pretty sure the club has a policy that covers all members, but I don't know the details and think it probably only covers us at the club.

I always act responsibly in terms of not playing when there is a possibility of hitting someone, shout "fore" when I do hit a wayward one. I don't think, if hit, that I'd sue anyone who was acting in that manner so wouldn't expect to be sued either. Naive?
It's not just accidents on the course that are covered these days, most policies also cover, clubs, comp fees, bar bills for HIO's, membership fees etc, worth it just for peace of mind.
 
Reading through this thread I think I need to get myself some Golf Insurance.

What insurers are recommended? I've had a quick google and have found quite a few ranging in prices from £18 to £60 (not a lot I know) so just looking for some recommendations here.
 
My old club is/was the most dangerous course I've ever seen, I told them it is at the AGM, they (basically) told me to get lost. Clicky committee of old farts and secret handshakes but couldn't run a bath properly between them. I'd sue the crap out of the club if I'd have gotten hurt using my forum post here (couple of years ago) as evidence of my initial concern. :thup:
 
Not all clubs carry insurance for players out on the course. If someone is relying on their own club's cover, and then plays at an away day... at less than a £1 a week, or a green fee at an average course.
 
its a worry for me that walkers just wonder all over our course and many could not care less where they walk despite signs everywhere.

Scotland has right of access, so many feel they should exercise that right.

we have one actual footpath that runs from the town down to some steps on the beach across the 18th and 1st fairways, signs both ends warning that golf is played there and to beware of golf ball.
many just walk straight across without looking.

we get people wondering along the shore between the 1st tee and 7th green, though there is no footpath as such and the land belongs to the club.

this route goes past and in front of the tee 's on 2nd, 3rd,5th, 6th and blue 7th tee. yesterday playing the club champs we had to stop 3 groups of ramblers walk in front us on the 2nd 3rd and 5th.
one lot even told my PP to F off he could go where he liked its a public footpath... he was told . it is not.

i don't know what the answer is we even had a barrier put up a few years ago, people kept breaking it down.

When we were up there last year Junior was playing his shot from the right side of the 18th hole. Just as he was swinging a young girl walks out from the hedges without a care in the world' probably less than 10 yards in front of where he is playing his shot. Thankfully the ball flew over her head but could of been a lot lot worse. I may have to invest in some more insurance just for a bit of peace of mind.
 
Yes, agree it's a no brainer.....I have let mine lapse a couple of years ago as was hardly playing but after reading this I really must renew now I'm playing regular again. Plus, my mate had a hole in one Saturday and flattened £150 (his cover amount) in the bar within 45 minutes!!
 
Posted elsewhere but this is correct place...

Why we have a formal annual risk course assessment, and as a result of this at most tees there is a sign warning players of key potential risks on the hole. Seems sensible though was poo-poo'd as OTT / Nanny State / HSE interfering etc when I mentioned this here last year. Simply protecting the club from risk of litigation and warning players themselves.

So for example for our 9th there is a warning to watch out for stray balls hit from from the 8th tee - the holes run parallel in opposite directions and a fair number of tee shots from 8th end up on 9th fairway or in the shared rough.
Read more at http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/sh...lf-double-standards/page2#YPhsHCYPsXEhHotQ.99
 
..and we have Public Liability Insurance when playing the course included in our membership subs. Should consider getting cover for myself for playing away from home. Though in 45yrs playing the game I have never been hit and never hit anyone I suppose there's always the chance of a first time.
 
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