Hot topic: Dangers of golf in the fog

It can be a frustrating and dangerous time to be playing golf as I discovered this weekend, when I squinted my way through a pea-souper of a fog for my usual Sunday morning roll-up.

Visibility was down to less than the distance you could hit a three –quarter wedge but I drove along the A1 to my home course full of optimism that it would be clear – just round the corner.

As I expected the car park was packed but not a golfer in sight as the clubhouse appeared through gloom like the Maria Celeste.

Golfers were pacing about the pro shop, nervously examining clubs, sweaters and bags for sale with no real intention of purchase and keeping half an eye on the Chinese Grand Prix drawing to the close on the TV.

Tension was building. Would they be able to get the golfing fix they had anticipated all week from behind the wheel of their cars, through interminable meetings and with their fingers hammering the keyboards of their computers?

Prospects looked gloomy as groups returned from scary adventures from a first tee, you couldn’t even see.

"Bugger that!" said one angry golfer gripping his trolley as if he’d just experienced a white-knuckle ride at Alton Towers.

"Hit my tee shot, didn’t have a clue where it went!"

Another trio claimed they’d reached the middle of the second fairway, played their second shots to the par-5 with great caution and immediately discovered four players still looking for their tee shots!

"After that we realised it was a bit too dangerous to continue. We don’t know who’s out there, We shouted but there was no answer." said their leader.

As the pro shop continued to fill up with golfers wandering aimlessly about like they had emerged from homes for the bewildered, I decided to make one last weather check then headed for the security of my car.

Golf is not a game to be played hampered or ‘blind-folded’ by thick mist and fog – it could even land you in court.

The law states that you can be liable if you hit a shot knowing that it could be a danger to others. Negligence, however, has to be proved.

Foreseeing the danger lies at the heart of most court rulings regarding sports injuries. Generally, if the risk of an injury is foreseeable by the victims, the courts have dismissed lawsuits.

Though striking a ball into the misty yonder without full knowledge of whether others on the course are in range, could be interpreted as reckless, it’s also a grey area.

After all by playing at all the victim of any ball-strike could be considered as taking a foolhardy risk and appreciated the dangers of their actions.

However, an American judge recently ruled that a player, who hit an unexpected ‘mulligan’ - putting a replacement ball into play - without announcing it to his colleagues ran the risk of a personal injury suit.

So remember that while we can all understand the frustration that misty, moisty mornings bring to golfers, you could be risking your own health and safety as well as others if you don’t take extra care.

Tell us on the forum if you have suffered injury or liability on the golf course and how the court or insurance judgement turned out.