‘Why should I have to pay for it?’: Damage caused by golf balls prompts liability debate

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow/Gray News) – Who is responsible for the damage when a golf ball hits a car?

It’s a debate that anyone nationwide could understand, with roughly 16,000 golf courses in the United States.

But one resident in Hawaii, which is known for its scenic golf courses, is hoping her recent experience will create discussion around the issue.

Last week, Alicia Lave-Nieves was driving home near Ko Olina Golf Club when her dashcam captured the moment a golf ball struck her car.

“How many people is this happening to? And how many unreported reports are out there if people don’t have a dashcam?” Lave-Nieves said.

She says even with video proof that the ball hit her car, it will be difficult to get out of paying for the damage.

She says she doesn’t know who hit the ball, so she’ll likely be the one to end up paying her toward her $500 deductible to fix the dent on the hood of her car.

Many golf courses argue liability lies with the golfer, but it can be hard to track who hit the ball.

Some courses even have signs posted that golfers are responsible for any errant golf balls that cause damage to cars or homes.

People can file a small claims case against golf courses if they are willing to pay the legal fees.

For Lave-Nieves’ case, HawaiiNewsNow reached out to Ko Olina Golf Club and is waiting to hear back.

Copyright 2024 HawaiiNewsNow via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.