Golfing season is in “full swing”, and so are the injuries that may occur when golfing. We at The Beattie Law Firm have represented victims of golf-related accidents; and want you to remember these tips.

Anyone upon a golf course has a duty or obligation to exercise reasonable care in his or her activity. When preparing to hit a shot, the golfer should proceed with caution and ensure there are no persons who could be injured by the shot. If a golfer strikes a ball knowing people are in the area where a golf ball is expected to travel, the golfer would be liable for any injuries that might result.

• Before entering a fairway, or other area, where one could expect a golf ball to be hit at any time, the golfer must exercise due diligence in attempting to discern whether someone is about to hit a golf ball. If you are struck and failed to exercise such care, the other person would not be at fault.
• If a golfer hits a shot, and reasonably believes after hitting such a shot, that a person might be struck by the golf ball, the golfer has an absolute obligation to yell “fore” or other warning to enable others to take cover to avoid being struck.
• Furthermore, care must be taken when hitting a golf ball off a tee, especially when a slightly errant shot could go into an adjoining fairway, tee box or green. In such a situation, the person hitting the ball must give audible warning even if he or she cannot see someone who may be affected by the errant shot.
• A driver of a golf cart also must exercise reasonable care to avoid injuring anybody who may be riding with the golfer.

If you cause injury to someone on a golf course you should immediately notify your homeowners insurance company. In most cases, homeowners insurance would provide insurance coverage in the event the person injured seeks damages.

If you are a person who has been injured on the golf course, we urge you to contact The Beattie Law Firm.