Question: The back yard of my home in Mesa is on the
fairway of a golf course. We occasionally have golf balls break
windows in our home, and one time I was struck on the leg by a
golf ball. I understand that I may not get the golfer to pay or
may not even be able to identify the golfer, but technically and
legally, who is responsible for paying the cost to fix my window
or the cost of my medical bills?
Answer: The reward of living on a golf course is the beautiful
view, but the risk is damage to your home or person by an errant
golf ball. Therefore, except in extreme circumstances, you will
have to pay the cost to repair your broken window. An extreme
circumstance may be if a “hacker” is attempting to hit over your
house onto the green but his golf ball breaks your window.
In regard to injury to your person, however, a golfer is required
to yell “fore” before striking a golf ball if an individual is
within the golfer’s striking range. The striking range of individual
golfers varies greatly. For example, Tiger Woods may have a striking
range of 15 degrees in front of him up to 350 yards, while a “hacker”
may have a striking range of 120 degrees in front of him up to
240 yards. Therefore, if you are injured in your back yard by
a golfer who did not yell “fore,” that golfer may be liable to
you.
