Leading UK golf insurance specialist Golf Care has urged players to ensure they take out sufficient protection before stepping onto the course.

The warning comes after a Scottish court ordered a golfer and a golf club to pay damages of almost £400,000 following an accident which led to an amateur player losing an eye after being struck by a ball.

A judge at the Court of Session in Edinburgh ruled on Friday that 44-year-old Anthony Phee from Sale, Greater Manchester, should receive £397,000 in damages – 30 per cent of which will be paid by Niddry Castle Golf Club at Winchburgh, in West Lothian, where the incident took place and 70 per cent by the golfer who struck the wayward shot.

The case has highlighted the importance of individual golfers having specialist golf insurance which covers them for eventualities such as this that can potentially occur on the golf course.

John Woosey, managing director of Golf Care, said: “It’s worrying that nine out of 10 golfers aren’t adequately covered when they step on the course. Mr Phee’s case proves that accidents happen and can cost golfers a fortune.”

The UK’s leading specialist golf insurance provider, Golf Care, offers policies that would have covered the liable golfer for this sort of incident which left the visiting player with only one eye after he was struck by a wayward tee-shot.

Mr Woosey added that in many cases, golfers think their home insurance will cover them for damage or personal liability, but the truth is that an inexpensive specialist golf insurance policy is the best way to ensure that individual golfers are adequately covered.

He said: “This sort of incident highlights just how dangerous a golf course can be, and a pay-out of £397,000 is a staggering amount.”

“The vast majority of golfers don’t realise how easy it is to compare golf insurance and aren’t properly covered. But whether you’re a single figure
handicapper or a golfing novice, we all hit poor shots. Why take the risk when for less than £30 a year you can be fully covered for incidents such as this – a small fee to pay for peace of mind every time you step onto the course.”

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