Golf courses have been busier than ever in recent years, with tee sheets booked from dawn till dusk. In 2024, we set a record for the most rounds ever played on U.S. courses according to the National Golf Foundation – 545 million! This is great news for golf, but it also means that courses need more maintenance than ever and it’s harder for the staff to avoid play while getting their work done. Golfers almost inevitably cross paths with the maintenance team during their round and doing so safely is every golfer’s responsibility. Too many course maintenance workers have stories about getting hit with golf balls and there is a very real risk of injury. The good news is that you can greatly reduce the risks by doing a few simple things.
Make sure workers see you before hitting.
If staff are working on the hole you’re playing or they are in a vulnerable location nearby, make sure they see you before hitting. They are trained to be on the lookout for golfers, but they are also focusing on their work and may not notice that you are ready to hit. Usually, yelling “fore” is enough to get someone’s attention, but there are times when the staff is using noisy equipment or wearing ear protection that makes it hard for them to hear. Giving a wave or waiting a couple of extra moments for them to look up usually does the trick.
Be patient as they move out of the way.
When a course maintenance worker does see you, it might take them a minute to get safely out of the way. Some tasks can’t be stopped immediately, or employees may need to remove equipment that could interfere with play. For example, they may need to pull a hose off the green while hand watering, or complete a mower pass before they can safely move to the side. Be patient; there’s no reason to hit early while someone is in the process of getting to a safer location.
Always yell “fore” if your shot is headed toward someone or out of sight.
Regardless of whether you think a staff member sees your group, always yell “fore” if a shot is heading toward them. It’s easy for people to lose sight of an incoming shot and they may not have seen you hit in the first place. An extra shout and wave can make all the difference. You should also yell if your ball is heading out of sight. You never know if there are golfers or workers on the other side of those trees or over that hill, and if you can’t see them, they probably can’t see you. If they hear a shout, they might at least have time to duck and cover.
It's no fun getting hit by a golf ball while working on a course. I can tell you from firsthand experience that it hurts. There is also a real risk of injury. Keep an eye out for workers, try to make sure they see you before hitting in their direction, and yell “fore” if there’s even a slight risk that your ball could be close to someone. These simple things help take care of the people who are working hard to care for our courses. Our educational poster “Sharing the Golf Course With the Maintenance Staff” is a great resource for courses to display in their golf shop, clubhouse or locker rooms to help promote safety.
