Golfers warned that Fore! is not fair play

The Times, 4 April 1998

Until now the cry of “Fore!” followed by a sheepish wave to a distant fairway has always been thought sufficient to warn other golfers of an approaching slice or hook.

But yesterday three High Court judges ruled that the warning, used for more than 100 years, may not be enough to absolve players of their liabilities. Anthony Lightning, a lefthander with a slice, was ordered to pay compensation to another player, John Pearson, after hitting him in the eye.

Mr Lightning, 45, of Mopley, Southampton, argued at the Court of Appeal that he was not liable because he had shouted “Fore”. But the judges disagreed after hearing how Mr Pearson, 46, had suffered permanent damage to his retina.

Yesterday Lord Justice Simon Brown, sitting with Lord Justice Otton and Sir Christopher Slade, ordered the case back to Southampton County Court for damages to be assessed. Afterwards Mr Pearson, of Lordshill, Southampton, said he was very pleased” with the result.

Mr Lightning was playing in the rough at the tenth hole of Dunwood Manor Golf Club in Romsey, Hampshire, in October 1992. His shot deflected off a tree and hit Mr Pearson, 80 yards away on the fairway.