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Golfer Ordered to Pay-Up After Having No Golf Insurance

Posted by: Adam Smith on Mon 07 Nov 2011

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A verdict given in the Court of Session in Edinburgh has ordered a golfer and golf club to pay damages of almost £400,000 in the proportion of 70% - 30% respectively despite a shout of 'Fore'. It has highlighted the importance of individual golfers having specialist golf insurance which covers them for eventualities such as this that occur on the golf course.

A specialist golf insurance provider would have covered the liable golfer for this sort of incident which left the visiting golfer with only one eye after he was struck by a wayward tee-shot.

The incident happened at the Niddry Castle Golf Club, Winchburgh, West Lothian. Anthony Phee was struck by a drive from James Gordon off the 18th tee. Mr Phee said that he ducked and put his hand up when hearing the 'Fore' shout but he wasn't sure where it came from. Mr Phee's was struck in the eye which 'exploded' on impact. He then sued Mr Gordon and the golf club after stating he was unfamiliar with the lay-out of the course.

Judge, Lord Brailsford said: "Every golfer, no matter his or her degree of competence, will make bad shots, thus highlighting that all golfers should be aware of the potential consequenses of hitting a wayward shot".