Are traveling golfers putting your course at legal risk without you even knowing it?
Have you considered how much more liability you face when the person swinging the club is not a member, but a visitor unfamiliar with your course?
If your golf course relies on tourist revenue, you are exposed to a unique set of liability threats that membership-only clubs simply do not face.
In this article, you will learn exactly how the visiting golfer changes your legal exposure, the most common liability hotspots for tourist-driven courses, and the critical steps you need to take in legal protection, communication, and insurance coverage.
We will cover:
- How tourists increase risk compared to members
- The four most common liability incidents involving visitors
- How to use waivers, communication, and training as risk management tools
- What your insurance must include to be truly protected
The Growing Risk You Cannot Ignore
More than 12 million Americans now travel each year specifically to play golf. That is a huge revenue opportunity, especially for destination courses in places like Georgia’s Golden Isles. But it is also a growing liability.
Unlike members, who know the course, the terrain, and the rules, tourists arrive with no built-in awareness of safety hazards. This unfamiliarity is what creates tourism liability. It is a different legal risk profile, and if you have not accounted for it in your policies and protections, your course may be vulnerable.
How Members and Tourists Affect Liability Differently
When it comes to liability, not all golfers are created equal. Members behave differently than visitors, and the differences are not subtle.
| Risk Factor | Club Member | Tourist or Visitor |
|---|---|---|
| Course Familiarity | Knows layout and blind spots | Unfamiliar with layout, more likely to misjudge terrain |
| Rule Awareness | Understands and follows rules | May not read signs or understand expectations |
| Environmental Awareness | Familiar with weather and wildlife | May be caught off guard by heat, storms, or native hazards |
| Equipment Use | Uses personal gear | Often uses unfamiliar rental clubs or carts |
| Mindset and Behavior | Committed to long-term care of course | May have a vacation mindset and take more risks |
This lack of familiarity increases the likelihood of accidents, errant shots, equipment misuse, and failure to take necessary precautions during weather events.
The Four Most Common Legal Hotspots for Visitor Accidents
Courses that rely on out-of-town golfers face a pattern of repeated risks, many of which parallel those in the short-term vacation rental industry.
1. Golf Cart Accidents
Golf cart injuries are among the most frequent and severe claims in the industry. Visitors may not understand how carts handle on steep hills, sharp curves, or wet grass, and many drive them like they would a car or ATV. Accidents involving tip-overs, collisions, or even carts ending up in water are common and expensive.
2. Slips, Trips, and Falls
Visitors are unfamiliar with the clubhouse layout and outdoor walkways. An uneven path or slippery deck may be easily avoided by a member but can catch a tourist off guard.
3. Errant Golf Balls
Everyone hits a bad shot now and then, but tourists are less likely to know where adjacent holes, property lines, or nearby roads are. This increases the chance of injuries or off-course property damage.
4. Unseen Course Hazards
A first-time player may not notice a hidden water feature, steep slope, or even wildlife areas until it is too late. This creates liability risks that can easily be avoided with better signage and guest preparation.
Why Assumption of Risk Is Not Enough
You may assume your legal bases are covered because golf is inherently risky. Most states agree that golfers accept certain risks, like being hit by a stray ball. But this assumption of risk does not cover everything.
If someone is injured because your course was poorly maintained or because you failed to warn of a hidden danger, you can still be held liable.
This is where a clear, legally sound liability waiver becomes critical. A well-written waiver, signed before play, can protect your course from lawsuits involving everything except gross negligence or intentional harm.
Digital waiver systems are especially useful for tourist-heavy courses because they ensure every player signs the waiver before tee time, not just returning members.
Poor Communication is a Hidden Risk Factor
Many tourist accidents are not caused by unsafe conditions, but by miscommunication.
Language barriers, cultural expectations, and unfamiliar safety norms can prevent guests from understanding how to stay safe.
Your course can reduce this risk with:
- Multilingual signage near hazards and check-in areas
- Visual icons to explain key rules and warnings
- Pre-visit emails that include safety reminders and expectations
- Staff training to identify and assist guests who may not understand instructions
These communication strategies mirror what hotels and resorts use to reduce liability with international or first-time guests.
What the Right Insurance Coverage Must Include
Even with good waivers and communication, insurance is your last and most essential line of defense.
If your course welcomes tourists, your policy needs to cover:
- High-limit general liability insurance, due to increased claim volume
- Liquor liability, if alcohol is served on the course or in the clubhouse
- Commercial auto coverage, specifically for your golf cart fleet
- Crisis management and reputation protection, in case an accident leads to media coverage
Not every insurance broker understands how golf, hospitality, and tourism overlap. Work with professionals who specialize in this area and can tailor coverage to your actual risks.
The Risks Are Real, But So Are the Rewards
At the end of the day, welcoming tourists means changing how you think about liability.
You came here wondering how out-of-town golfers impact your legal exposure. Now you understand that tourist golfers bring a completely different risk profile than members, and that your course must adapt accordingly.
Your next step is to review your waiver process, signage strategy, and insurance coverage to make sure they are built for the realities of a tourism-driven business.
Golf tourism can be a tremendous asset if you protect your course, your guests, and your future the right way.
