'Scared to go out in my yard': Georgia homeowner says she's spent over $70K replacing windows thanks to errant balls from nearby golf course — and she wants the club to 'pay now'

Who foots the bill for the damage?

Montgomery and Pope say the Marietta Country Club’s insurer paid for the very first broken windows over a decade ago, but nothing else since, the broadcaster reports. Montgomery alone says she’s paid over $70,000 out of pocket to replace multiple windows because she doesn’t want her home insurance premiums to go up for filing claims.

“The biggie was the picture frame window and my office windows again,” Montgomery said. “I called and called; I sent a certified letter, and then I got a voice message on Dec. 20, 2024, saying they’re not responsible.”

Atlanta News First says the club did not respond to multiple inquiries about their protocols.

Laws vary by state, but “Georgia recognizes the assumption of risk doctrine,” Ronnie Miles, senior director of advocacy with the National Golf Course Owners Association, told Atlanta News First. This means if you knowingly buy a home near a golf course, you do so understanding the risks involved.

Miles advises homeowners in this situation to reference land records called easements, which can spell out legal rights attached to the land around a golf course.

“There’s an easement that goes around the perimeter so many feet out from the property line of the golf course,” he said. “So balls can penetrate and travel into that area.”

Atlanta News First reports it found documents stating Marietta Country Club’s easement from 1989 protects it from ball-related liability within 30 feet of the property. Montgomery and Pope’s properties, however, are more than 60 feet away. Montgomery says she’s called lawyers but was told they’ll only take on a case if there are injuries.

“They need to pay now,” Montgomery said of the club. “They need to move the tee box. They need to put up a net and not have the balls coming over here in this neighborhood because we don’t live on the golf course.”

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What to do if you live near a golf course

Finding yourself on the receiving end of a barrage of golf balls? Here’s how to protect your investment if your home is near a golf course:

• Look into land records: Check county deeds for any easements that could affect your rights.
• Track any incidents: Keep photo evidence and records of property damage.
• Seek legal counsel: Especially if the golf ball frequency has escalated or caused injury.
• Ask the club to act: Netting, tee box realignment or tree buffers are options, though not always welcomed by neighbors who live on the course.

The National Golf Course Owners Association reminds golfers it’s possible they can be held liable for property damage from errant shots.

Whether you’re buying near a course, teeing off on the weekend or watching balls fly through your deck screen, the financial and legal stakes can be very real. If you’re a homebuyer eyeing that fairway view, read the easement and understand the risks.