Is this stealing?

[Petercool]

At a local 9 hole near me there is an outdoor range.

On the left is the first hole and on the right is the 9th hole. (Its a 9 hole course)

When playing this morning, as usual there are always about 50 balls on the first fairway and also more on the 9th (people clearly slice more)

Scenario 1: when walking up the 9th you pick up 20 range balls and then use them on the range.

Scenario 2: you didn’t play 9 holes. But you head up to the course to walk down the 9th and pick up the range balls to then hit on the range.

It should also be noted, I’ve never in 3 years the driving range ever pick up the balls down the 1st and 9th.

 

[Doh]

If you take something that is not yours or you’ve not paid to use an item you can hire yes that is stealing in my book. Not the crime of the century but some businesses work on small margins if everyone did this they could go out of business.

 

[Burnsey]

If you're playing a round of golf and find a ball, do you keep it, leave it, or hand it in to the pro shop?

Not sure if the range charges for range balls - assume it does and that is the basis of the naughhiness? They should better screen the range to avoid stray balls, but every range seems to be the same.

No, I wouldn't, but I'd moan at the club for all the balls littering the fairways.

 

[davieslee]

Scenario 1 seems okay, but Scenario 2 feels wrong. Club should clean up the range balls better!

 

[Mandofred]

If they take the balls back to the range, even to hit them.....sounds fair to me.

 

[Neilds]

More like unlawful borrowing than stealing to me - after all, you aren’t taking the balls, just giving them back. You could also argue you are doing the club a favour by returning the balls to the range.

 

[Billysboots]

In order to steal something you have to assume the rights of the owner to their property and intend to permanently deprive them of it. There’s no permanent retention if you hit the balls on the range. So no theft.

What you have more likely done is committed what is known as a bilking, by not paying for the use of the range balls, assuming that payment is required. It’s the same principle as eating a meal at a restaurant and doing a runner, or filling up with fuel and driving off without paying.

Regardless, I shouldn’t think the club are really that bothered.

 

[Dunesman]

We have scenario 1, where range balls can be hooked out onto the 2nd fairway. You wont find 20, but its common to find a handfull especially if you have sliced into the rough or trees that separate them.
Picking them up and using for free is not only the done thing, but encouraged by the club as it saves them the labout of retrieving them.
I am not aware of people going out there deliberately searching for them though.

 

[Tashyboy]

Personally I am going to look at it from another point of view and one for me that is more serious.

Is it acceptable that you can play golf with a distinct possibility of regularly being hit and injured from a golf ball. The set up of that course where X number of balls are on a fairway to me just seems wrong.

 

[Orikoru]

If they take the balls back to the range, even to hit them.....sounds fair to me.

This was my thinking. Technically stealing a range session, but also doing them a favour by clearing balls off a fairway and returning them to the range? Maybe the two things balance out.

As a sidenote, this 9-hole course sounds lethal if it's being peppered with range balls all day! Reminds me of the second hole at Little Hay. Have to play it with a crash helmet on.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Well I guess it comes down to morals these days and society of getting something for nothing

Don’t expect it’s stealing etc

 

[jim8flog]

One aspect is not about the balls but the range itself.

When you use it you are paying to use it, in the OP you have not paid to use the range so this could be considered obtaining a service by deceit.

 

[Billysboots]

One aspect is not about the balls but the range itself.

When you use it you are paying to use it, in the OP you have not paid to use the range so this could be considered obtaining a service by deceit.

As I say, it’s likely to be classed as a bilking - otherwise referred to as making off without payment. An offence under the theft act, but not actually theft.

And as I also say, not something the club are ever likely to get too fussed about unless it’s a regular occurrence.

 

[Old Colner]

I think it all depends if the range charges for the balls you hit, if it does then it is out of order really but stealing, not really, if the range is free, as some are at members clubs are then I don't really see anything wrong

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Well I guess it comes down to morals these days and society of getting something for nothing

Don’t expect it’s stealing etc

Exactly. Not the crime of the century but assuming the range charges foe use of irs range balls and with business margins possibly tight you are depriving the range of income. One or two instances - no big deal - but as others say, if everyone did it. It’s just where your morals and conscience sit.

And btw - I absolutely don’t buy into any idea that if the owner of something mistakenly (or otherwise) leaves it in a public or insecure place then it’s fair game and reasonable for anyone to pick up and play ‘finders keepers’. Like being given too much change or by mistake not being charged for something (inc on a restaurant bill) - I always bring to the attention of the store/restaurant.

 

[timd77]

At one of my previous courses we had a driving range that would dispense a minimum of 30 balls. Before a round that would be too much for me, a quick warm up of 10-15 balls was more than enough. So I used to hit 15, take the rest home with me and use them the following week. I felt a bit naughty doing it but never viewed it as stealing as I was bringing them back.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

They offer a service, you are taking it for free. It's naughty at best. Pay the money, or accept that the service may not be there long term.

 

[RichA]

At one of my previous courses we had a driving range that would dispense a minimum of 30 balls. Before a round that would be too much for me, a quick warm up of 10-15 balls was more than enough. So I used to hit 15, take the rest home with me and use them the following week. I felt a bit naughty doing it but never viewed it as stealing as I was bringing them back.

Better vfm if you take 100 and use them in multiple sessions, but they make a right racket rolling around in the boot.
Half the balls at our place aren't even range balls anyway.

 

[hambugerpete]

You pick the balls up, take them back to the range and hit them ? I'd imagine theyd be pleased as it saves someone a job.

 

[sjw]

Nah, you're giving the balls back. If the range is busy, then fine, don't hog it from other people, but it's only stealing in the same way as playing a second ball on the course for practice