What are the consequences of striking someone with a golf ball?

Golf balls are small and hard. They are struck with great force by people whose skill at sending the ball in the intended direction varies greatly. Each player will be aware of the probability of the presence of other players on the same fairway or adjacent fairways within range of the struck ball. In Finnie v. Ropponen, [1987] B.C.J. No. 448 (S.C.), Rowles J. (as she then was) said: Although there are some risks incidental in the game of golf, players must take care not to hit anyone because of the obvious danger of injury.

Where, as here, there is a duty of care, the question arises as to the applicable standard of care. As Rowles J. said in Finnie v. Ropponen, supra, there are some risks incidental in the game of golf. Players may be taken to know of the risk of being hit.