# Has Anyone Ever Been Injured at Topgolf? A Comprehensive Safety Guide

- Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/has-anyone-ever-been-injured-at-topgolf-a-comprehensive-safety-guide/
- Published: 2023-10-19
- Author: Lillie Gabler
- Categories: [Tips](https://33rdsquare.com/category/home/tips/)

---

Hey there! Planning a trip to Topgolf soon? With over 3 million people teeing off at Topgolf‘s 54 locations across the US and UK each month, it‘s no surprise that injuries can happen from time to time at these popular golf entertainment complexes.

As your home improvement buddy, I want to provide you with the most comprehensive guide possible, so you can have fun while staying as safe as possible. After thorough research and analysis, I‘ll give you key stats, expert tips, and an insider perspective into Topgolf‘s safety policies.

## An In-Depth Look at Reported Topgolf Injuries

While severe incidents are uncommon, some Topgolf injuries have made headlines over the years. Being aware of the most common risks can help you stay protected:

### Flying Golf Balls

This is the most frequently reported source of injuries at Topgolf. Balls hit from nearby bays can strike patrons before they have time to react.

- A 3-year-old girl suffered facial injuries when a ball hit her while she was retrieving a ball from another bay.
- A man in Dallas broke his ankle when a ball flew from a nearby bay, striking him in the leg on the patio.
- In one case, a ball hit a woman so hard it knocked her unconscious. She suffered a concussion, fractured eye socket, and broken jaw.

### Flying Golf Clubs

Occasionally, a club can slip out of a player‘s hands, crashing into walls or flying into neighboring bays. For example, a woman suffered cuts when an iron flew off and hit her arm.

### Slips, Trips and Falls

Wet floors, uneven turf, steep stairs, or dim lighting can lead to slips, trips and falls at Topgolf, especially after drinks are consumed. Falling off elevated patios and decks has led to some severe injuries.

### Hazards Inside Bays

- Patrons inside bays have been inadvertently hit by golf clubs, balls, or broken pieces of clubs/monitors.
- Unsecured clubs falling over and striking someone is another hazard.
- A man was hospitalized after being hit in the groin by a golf ball, causing severe bleeding.

### Heat Illness

In extreme heat, some patrons have become overheated and dehydrated while actively playing for long periods without proper hydration.

Now that you know the most common risks, let‘s analyze the injury data:

According to investigative reports, nearly 450 injury claims were filed against Topgolf from 2015 to 2018 across their various locations, including some that resulted in lawsuits. Here is a breakdown of the most frequently reported injuries:

| Type of Injury | % of Claims |
| --- | --- |
| Struck by golf ball | 48% |
| Struck by golf club | 15% |
| Slip or fall | 11% |
| Heat exhaustion/dehydration | 4% |
| Other | 22% |

_Data Source: ESPN investigation_

Additionally, a report by the Center for Investigative Reporting places the number of head and facial injuries from golf balls at around 50 from 2015 to 2018.

So while severe incidents are relatively rare considering the millions of visitors annually, injuries at Topgolf do happen. Extra vigilance is advised, especially for vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.

## Lawsuits and Claims Against Topgolf

Some injured patrons have pursued legal action and filed lawsuits against Topgolf for liability. However, Topgolf insists that like regular golf, inherent risks are part of the game, and patrons must take personal responsibility for their own well-being.

Some of the allegations made against Topgolf in injury lawsuits include:

- Failure to implement and enforce adequate safety protocols to protect patrons
- Insufficient partition demarcation between bays
- Lack of proper warnings about the inherent injury risks
- Improper training of employees regarding safety enforcement
- Allowing irresponsible alcohol consumption that increases risks
- Defective or broken equipment contributing to injuries

While some cases have resulted in confidential settlements, Topgolf asserts they meet or exceed all safety regulations in the industry. Determining liability relies heavily on the specific circumstances and applicable local laws.

## Topgolf‘s Safety Rules and Precautions

Topgolf does prioritize patron safety through various precautions, rules enforcement, and training protocols:

- Perimeter nets surrounding the course contain errant golf shots.
- Partitions provide protective barriers between bay areas.
- Warning signs advise of ball flight hazards from neighboring bays.
- Players must wear closed-toe shoes to prevent foot injuries.
- Running, horseplay, intoxication, and other reckless behavior is prohibited.
- Regular maintenance and inspections aim to fix any broken or damaged equipment.
- Children under 6 cannot participate, while those under 18 must have adult supervision.
- Staff members continually monitor the bays for unsafe play and etiquette.
- Instructional materials demonstrate proper swing technique to reduce mishits.
- Handrails, non-slip surfaces, turf maintenance, and lighting aim to prevent slips and falls.

Topgolf also provides free protective headgear upon request for added protection.

Players are advised to stay alert, keep eyes on surrounding bays, remain inside the tee box, immediately report unsafe behavior to staff, follow all safety rules, and consume alcohol responsibly.

## 3 Expert Tips to Stay Safe at Topgolf

While Topgolf works hard to maximize fun and safety, remaining vigilant and using good judgment is also key. As your safety-focused home improvement buddy, here are my top 3 expert-recommended tips:

### 1. Wear Protective Eyewear

Protecting your eyes from stray golf balls and club parts with sports goggles, sunglasses, or other eyewear provides an extra layer of protection. Make sure they fit snugly and have impact-resistant lenses.

### 2. Closely Monitor Children

Children must be supervised extremely closely and remain inside the bay during active play. Consider holding a small child‘s hand or using child leashes/wrist straps at all times. And don‘t allow kids to share a bay with adult strangers.

### 3. Stay Inside Your Tee Box

Remain standing fully inside the tee box, which places a protective barrier between you and neighboring bays. Don‘t wander forward into the swing zone. Also, face the tee monitor so you are square to the ball‘s path.

## Is Topgolf Liable for Injuries?

Whenever injuries occur on a business‘s property, questions of legal liability arise. Who is ultimately responsible in the eyes of the law?

In general, Topgolf has a duty to provide reasonable care in maintaining a safe environment for patrons. If found negligent in this duty, they can share in liability for resulting injuries.

However, golf is widely considered an inherently high-risk activity, and patrons assume many risks for taking part. Topgolf implements many precautions to warn patrons and minimize hazards.

So Topgolf may share some liability if found negligent, but the injured patron likely shares responsibility for ignoring warnings and not exercising proper precautions.

## Putting It All Together

Considering over 3 million visitors tee off at Topgolf monthly, their overall safety incident rate seems relatively low. Severe injuries are quite rare. Topgolf seems to take safety seriously through precautions, enforcement, and training.

However, some accidents do happen, usually due to golf‘s inherent risks. Being aware of the hazards, following Topgolf‘s rules, and using your best judgment can help ensure you avoid becoming a statistic.

You also need to consider your own physical abilities and limitations before participating, especially with conditions like epilepsy, heart disease, pregnancy, recent surgery, etc.

And consumig alcohol responsibly, staying hydrated, and taking breaks can keep you safer as well.

Ultimately, a fun time hitting the links at Topgolf requires taking personal responsibility for your own well-being too. So be smart, stay alert, follow the safety rules, and enjoy your Topgolf experience!

Let me know if you need any other home improvement or safety tips! I‘m always happy to help a friend.

---

Source: [Has Anyone Ever Been Injured at Topgolf? A Comprehensive Safety Guide](https://33rdsquare.com/has-anyone-ever-been-injured-at-topgolf-a-comprehensive-safety-guide/)