Who is liable if a golf ball breaks a window?

Who is liable if a golf ball breaks a window in Australia depends on negligence and location, but generally golfer who hit ball may be liable if negligent, golf course may be liable if poorly designed, and homeowner may bear risk if they bought house next to course knowing risk. Under Australian negligence law, golfer has duty of care to avoid hitting people or property where foreseeable, and if golfer shouts fore and takes reasonable care but ball still goes astray, it may be considered accidental and not negligent, as golf inherently has risk of wayward shots, especially for amateurs. However, if golfer intentionally hits towards houses or ignores safety, they can be liable for negligence and must pay window repair $300 to $1,000. Golf course operators have duty to design course safely, with buffer zones, netting and warning signs, and if course built close to houses without adequate protection, course may be liable under occupier's liability. Homeowners who buy property bordering golf course are often deemed to have assumed risk, known as volenti non fit injuria, and many property contracts include disclosure that house is near golf course and owner accepts risk of errant balls, so they may need to claim on home insurance and pay excess. In practice, many golf courses have policy to pay for window damage as goodwill even if not legally liable, to maintain good neighbour relations. So liability depends on negligence, with golfer liable if negligent, course liable if design fault, homeowner may bear risk if assumed.