Ouch

[HomerJSimpson]

Playing in the monthly stableford I was played my approach and was putting my club in my bag when I was struck in the bottom of the back from the tee behind. Although it was my 3rd (I was in a fairway bunker and had to come out sideways) I was only about 280 from the tee.

I went down like an Italian goalkeeper. It was so powerful it knocked me off my feet onto my knees and I struggled to move afterwards. To be fair the guy came up from the tee to see if I was Ok and the guys playing the adjacent 7th also came over.

The guy was really apologetic but I could feel the red mist coming down and really wanted to chin him buy knew it would be me in trouble. After about 10 minutes the pain subsided but a huge bruise came up. I struggled round but it really was a case of supporting my partners as I couldn't really swing the club and it really blew my enjoyment as it was case of hit (slice) find it repeat etc. Even bending over a putt was painful.

The guy came up and offered to buy me a drink in the bar after (which I deeclined as I already had a full glass and was going anyway to watch the rugby). My question is, what should I have done other than smile politey and accept his apologies

Happy golfing

Homer

 

[Parmo]

Get his details and make a claim new clubs and holiday next year here you come...

I nearly hit someone yesterday and it was the worst feeling in the world the moment before you shout fore moving in slow motion.

 

[GB72]

From a legal point of view, have a picture taken of the bruising, get your doctor to check you over then find a solicitor who will deal on a no win, no fee basis. You could be the test case that shows the worth or not of golf insurance. Would need to take into account whether you were visible from the tee etc.

Other option is to see if the club has compulsory insurance for players on the course and submit a claim.

Pains me to give this advice as I am not sure that I like the idea of sport giving rise to litigation (and I am a solicitor) but that appears to be the way that the world is heading.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

There seems a definite split here. My playing partners and I all thought it was best to let sleeping dogs lie as any legal action may lead to certain difficulties in the clubhouse once word got out I had sued. All my mates down the pub were all for suing him for every penny

As a guy who enjoys playing at his club and enjoys playing in monthly competitions with different club memebrs I don't really want the aggro of being made to justify my position from any of the guys mates whenever I turn up in the bar nor do I really want to drag my club name through the mud.

However if public consensus really is that strong then I will get the bruise photographed again (my wife took one with my mobile on Saturday afternoon but I'll get better ones taken) and maybe go to the doctor although I'm not in too much pain today.

I'm not really one who agrees with this lititious (sic) society and not really after new equipment on the back of it but more concerned whether I should be reporting him to the committe etc.

Happy golfing

Homer

 

[birdieman]

Fortunately this time you only got bruising, however say the ball had caught you on the head or hand, you could be looking at no end of very serious injuries.
This 'sorry, didn't mean it' approach doesn't wash with me, he saw you and teed off anyway.
We need some high profile cases of litigation to drive it home to club players that hitting people with a golf ball is extremely serious.
I reckon in 20 years we'll all, by law, have to wear protective head gear and body gear to be allowed to play golf, bit like the cricketers do already.

 

[Parmo]

It is a little sad though to play a game where anyone of us whether tiger or tony woods can hit someone, it’s the way the game is and always has been. When I shouted this weekend the fella was really nice, I missed him by about 6 foot and he said “least you shouted some don’t even bother” so its all down to how you want to be perceived in the club house, I would leave it be to be honest if I was you next time it might be you being sued for £10k when the ball bounced and tapped someone.

This type of culture is not what golf needs, and the insurance that lately has sprung up to cover it is just as bad with little if any payouts.

 

[GB72]

To a certain extent I agree that litigation should not be the way forward as there was no lasting damage and I too would hate to see litigation getting imbedded in golf as it has tried to do in other sports. I would not, however, let it lie totally as if this player has a habit of playing shots when people may be in range then a lesson needs to be learned.

I had an argument with 2 lady golfers the other week as I tried to avoid being in the same position. I was playing on my own and had driven and was about 170 from the pin. The group ahead were just chipping onto the green and so I was waiting for it to clear. These 2 came off the hole behind waving and shouting for me to 'Hit the Bloody Ball'and I had to tactfully remind them that I could reach the green, did not want to injure anyone and could not remember when golf became a race. It is people like that who are trying to pressure the game in front when there is actually no delay (just a busy course)that can be equally contributory to injuries taking place. There is a difference between keeping up with the game in front and in taking unnecessary risks.

 

[HTL]

Stop moaning and move on! it was an accident!
Golf is a sport, and playing sport you have got to accept that accidents happen and people get hurt.
As for legal action... this has really got my goat up,
NO! your not an American who will sue people for farting next to them, accept the apology and beer if it happens again and move on.
Im a little bitter at the moment as im getting sued, due to some knob head Power Ranger biker crashing into the side of my car, and claiming it was my fault.

 

[madandra]

As a point of principle you should letter the committee and get then to bring the guilty party up in front of them to explain WHY he hit when you were in range, WHY he didn't shout FORE and if he did shout WHY nobody heard him? The very thought of being up before the golfing beaks will have him shouting clearly in future.

 

[birdieman]

Stop moaning and move on! it was an accident!

HTL be interested to see if you have the same opinion if you get twonked on the head with a Pinnacle!
This guy knows the course as he's a member, we all know how far we can hit it on our own courses so in this case there is no excuse to tee off.

If you shank one or can't see for the sun in your eyes or whatever then an apology is maybe enough but tonking a driver (which generates the most ball speed and is hardest to control) and hoping to miss someone up the fairway within range isn't on, lawyers or no lawyers.

 

[HTL]

Have been "twonked" on the head many a time during different sports some have been accidents some haven't, that's what happens when you take part in Sport.

The guy did know the course yes, but do you hit every shot where you want? was he using new equipment, was he having a real bad day and tried to over compensate for something?

Golf is already having a bad eye cast over it with all the drug allegations, and pros bitching to one another about their suspicions of usage etc all it needs is people suing each other for accidents that happen every day within the world of sport.

 

[madandra]

was he using new equipment, was he having a real bad day and tried to over compensate for something?

It sounds to me like the fan dan on the tee was pi55ed off waiting for Homer to get a move on and decided to 'send him a reminder'. Although not meaning to hit him he did and should be dragged over the coals by the club.

 

[BillyBigTime]

I almost hit a person in the group in front off the tee a few weeks ago. I could hardly believe it as it was my home course on the 17th, and the group were about 40-50 yards of where I would usually drive to. We waited on the tee for them to play their shots from this area, and they were well clear of it when I teed off. I don't know how I hit it or the reason for it but it was the furthest drive I have ever hit by a distance (the drive was about 325-330 yards for anyone interested). My point is it could have been a complete accident, as mine was, but only the person that hit you knows. I'd give him the benefit of the doubt, but it's easy saying that when you haven't been hit!

 

[Junior]

Homer, I can't see from your post if the guy shouted fore?

When I have hit a shot that is going even slightly towards fellow players (normally a duck hook!!!) I scream fore to get them to take cover.

I know it's no excuse, but these things happen and its etiquette to warn other people on the course. Litigation in my opinion is not the way forward as it can happen to anyone. Imagine rugby / football players suing if they break a bone in a tackle??

The gentleman in question should be given a warning by the comittee if he didn't shout.

 

[smange]

Had a real close one myself yesterday, the guy shouted fore but I had the "wont happen to me attitude" and casually placed my hand on top of my head and carried on walking, then "whoosh" as the ball flew past the side of my head,literally brushing my hair.
I laughed it off at time but last night sat down and thought about what had happened and realised that I was inches from serious injury or maybe even death.

I dont hold the guy responsible and just see it as part of the game, as long as fore is called. After all is there anyone on here who has not hit a wayward shot?

Homer, I realise your situation is different as the guy should never have tee'd off if there was any way whatsoever he could have hit you but I think maybe a quiet word and the threat of reporting him to the commitee might just change his attitude.

 

[Teetotal]

Totally understandable that you wanted to deck the guy after being hit so hard but I bet he feels so bad about it too. It was an accident but maybe he just thought that he couldn't hit that far. If he does that sort of thing all the time then someone needs a word - if he hasn't already learnt his lesson. Also are there enough grounds to sue if you weren't actually injured and are capable about going abt your daily business etc? Personally I can't stand this americanised obsession with litigation and I can see clubs going down the route of making you sign a disclaimer and whipping out your insurance certificate before you tee off. Also what happens if you slice it really badly and crack someone's head open? I also hate it when you have an operation or something and have to sign a disclaimer to not sue the hospital if they mess up and almost kill you. That is so out of order!
On the other hand my friend just got £10k from whiplash in minor car accident which hurt his neck for 2 weeks.

 

[USER1999]

I have been hit in the side of the head by a full on 6 iron, and I can tell you it really hurts. Did I want to sue, no, because it was on my own course, I knew the player well, and he was distraught (and he was a vicar). He certainly wouldn't do it again. And yes, at the time I was livid.
We have all accidentaly driven through the group in front, or hit the wrong fairway, or 'laid up' to the middle of the green. These things happen if you play long enough.
Give the bloke the benefit of the doubt, and let it go.

 

[viscount17]

I think madandra's got it right. If you wanted to take it further, do it through the committee. If you then find out that he has a habit of doing this, then consider the courts.
This could, almost, have been any of us; especially the learners who are still finding their range and can genuinely hit an unexpected distance.

However, it should have been done at the time.

It's one of those points of etiquette/caution that should be printed on the score cards.

 

[BunkerMentality123]

Questions you need to ask yourself?

1) Could he clearly see you?
2) Is he known for this sort of thing, (ie blindly hitting shots without care for other players)?
3) How badly injured are you?
4) How do you want to be viewed by fellow members?
5) Do you really want to drag someone through litigation that will be both time consuming and expensive?
6) Was the guy genuinely remorseful (I bet he was probably very shaken up).

I think that if you clearly review the situation and can come to the conclusion that it really was just an accident you should just move on.
I know that if we let people who do this sort of thing all the time get away with it then a precedent is being set, but you also have to ask yourself if the shoe was on the other foot and he sued you for what you felt was an accident how would you feel.

Personally I think that when golf becomes littered with litigation it will be time to hang up the old sticks and retire, imagine being sued for hitting someone on the foot with a rolling golf ball........

 

[brendy]

I caught a fella on the calf last year with my 5 wood, I was hitting it pretty much 95-100% while the poor bloke was 25 yards in front of me to standing on the right edge of the fairway, I was in the centre. I usually play a bit of a slinging draw with my 5 wood as its one of my favorite clubs and can manufacture a few different shapes. I hit the ball with a good solid swing but didnt quite get under the ball, it went straight at him (who was a little uphill from me) and the eejit jumped instead of diving out of the way and hit him with such a loud crack. He hobbled round the rest of the game and apologised for standing in front of me, I bought him a drink though I could barely stomach one myself as he showed me the damage on his leg it looked like he had taken a beating to his entire lower leg from the back of the knee down, totally red running through the blues and purples around the impact site. It took over 1 1/2 months for the swelling to begin subsiding. Never once was golf insurance or claims mentioned, these things sometimes happen, there was no loss of money due to sickness of work etc so it just wasnt an issue.