Broken Window

[Ceej]

I'll be happy to split the cost with you and will admire you more as a person for stepping up.

I think this sums it up.

Compromise. Home owner bought the house knowing it was probably going to be hit, golfer hit a terrible shot.

[Eore]

i think its the homeowner that should pay, living by a course has it's convieniences and it's dangers.......

[Klean]

Most public courses that have houses lining the fairways have signs that say the golfer is liable for damage. At least here in socal.

Same here in Henderson, NV.

[itzzzberny]

people who live by golf courses should buy windows suitable for the conditions. why buy some cheap window that you know will break when you can buy windows that won't break.
http://www.cambridgedoors.com/windows_golfball.asp

[pittpanther]

Most of the replies to this thread have been focused on property damage. What about people damage?

Since these are houses, it's not unreasonable to expect adults and children to be outside, while golf games are being played. So let's up the ante a little bit with these scenarios:

Your errant shot strikes an adult, requiring a trip to the hospital and treatment for a fractured skull. Who pays?

Your errant shot strikes a child, killing her. Would you expect to be sued? Would you expect to be arrested for involuntary manslaughter?

Your errant shot strikes a child in the head, seriously injuring them to the point that they require constant care for the rest of their lives - possibly 60 or more years. Who pays?

Breaking a window is nothing, in the grand scheme of things...

[Joe92385]

I know I'm a newbie, and I didn't read the whole thread, but I actually researched this a week ago (slow day at work).

Of course it depends on your state (or possibly local) government, but in CA buying and living in a home in an area that can be reasonably expected to get hit with golf balls is considered an "assumption of the risk," and despite all the signs on the golf course, the golfer is NOT held responsible for property or even personal damage. I can find the specific cases again, if anyone in CA is interested.

That said, I've split the cost of a window with the homeowner (it was actually an iron shot, off a branch, through a window), because it's the right thing to do. I'd do it again, even knowing that I wouldn't be legally obligated.