23 May 2011

Too far to drive to the driving range?

| Anna Key
Join the conversation
16

Are there any laws/regs in Canberra about golfers practicing on our ovals?

On a recent visit to our local playing fields there were a number of families and older kids playing different versions of footy when someone chose to practice their technique in the narrow corridor between us all.

Surely there is a difference between people kicking a footy amongst themselves and someone whacking a near invisible, rock hard ball 100m.

To be fair, he did at least appear to try and avoid us all but I wonder what the response would be if I took my kids to Royal Canberra to have a kickabout or to play in the sandpits (apart from concussion).

Join the conversation

16
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

dvaey said :

Having been out for a BBQ at Fadden Pines on the weekend and nearly being cleaned up by a mis-kicked soccer ball Id like to throw my support behind your idea of banning golf in public places. Id like to extend the ban to all sports where the ball can end up in any direction where people might be standing and not be invovled in the game.

I reckon we should just ban BBQ’s instead. Let’s face, as a polar opposite to sports it leads to obesity and lethargy. Not to mention the smelly clothing.

Pommy bastard10:25 am 25 May 11

Holden Caulfield said :

Hmm, you seem to be developing quite a repertoire of intolerance there PB.

One man’s intolerance is another man’s good taste…

Holden Caulfield said :

I wonder who will be next on your hit list, haha.

The queue is lengthy, well populated and varied, so don’t all rush at once…

Holden Caulfield9:52 am 25 May 11

Pommy bastard said :

In the UK golf courses are known as “Tw@t farms”, I’d like to get that nick name going here. I’d be happy for golf to be banned from public places, just to save me the inconvenience of ever interacting with a golfer. Does anything shout “I am a tedious bore” more than an affinity with golf? I think not.

Hmm, you seem to be developing quite a repertoire of intolerance there PB. I wonder who will be next on your hit list, haha.

Pommy bastard said :

In the UK golf courses are known as “Tw@t farms”, I’d like to get that nick name going here. I’d be happy for golf to be banned from public places, just to save me the inconvenience of ever interacting with a golfer. Does anything shout “I am a tedious bore” more than an affinity with golf? I think not.

Well… there *is* the pom banging on about how much better things are back home….

Pommy bastard7:24 am 25 May 11

In the UK golf courses are known as “Tw@t farms”, I’d like to get that nick name going here. I’d be happy for golf to be banned from public places, just to save me the inconvenience of ever interacting with a golfer. Does anything shout “I am a tedious bore” more than an affinity with golf? I think not.

dvaey said :

Having been out for a BBQ at Fadden Pines on the weekend and nearly being cleaned up by a mis-kicked soccer ball Id like to throw my support behind your idea of banning golf in public places. Id like to extend the ban to all sports where the ball can end up in any direction where people might be standing and not be invovled in the game.

I agree, there is a difference between a golf ball and a football, you get hit in the head with a golf ball, youll have a bit of a bump, you get hit in the head with a footy, youll probably get knocked over.

I understand though, that a public space is a public space, and when random balls come flying through the air, all you can do is tell them off, or leave the area. Thats one of the joys of public spaces.

You also stand more chance of seeing a soccer ball heading in your general direction. And my guess is that a soccer ball is travelling a lot slower than a golf ball.

But at least your Id has an opinion

Hosinator said :

dvaey said :

Having been out for a BBQ at Fadden Pines on the weekend and nearly being cleaned up by a mis-kicked soccer ball Id like to throw my support behind your idea of banning golf in public places. Id like to extend the ban to all sports where the ball can end up in any direction where people might be standing and not be invovled in the game.

I agree, there is a difference between a golf ball and a football, you get hit in the head with a golf ball, youll have a bit of a bump, you get hit in the head with a footy, youll probably get knocked over.

I understand though, that a public space is a public space, and when random balls come flying through the air, all you can do is tell them off, or leave the area. Thats one of the joys of public spaces.

Are you for real?

It’s because of people like you that we have a nanny state. Please go and crawl under a rock.

What sort of extremist wowser would want a law preventing someone passing a footy at a public BBQ. Whats next ban fireworks once a year or remove bins from picnic areas? What do you do at the park … crochet? Not that I have a problem with that.

The golfing issue amounts to common sense. I have no problem someone safely practicing where there is no chance someone will get collected and good on em theyve saved the 20 bucks on a bucket of balls. Thier taxes paid for the oval too. BUT if a clown sends a ball my way at the very least he wont be getting his ball back.

dvaey said :

Having been out for a BBQ at Fadden Pines on the weekend and nearly being cleaned up by a mis-kicked soccer ball Id like to throw my support behind your idea of banning golf in public places. Id like to extend the ban to all sports where the ball can end up in any direction where people might be standing and not be invovled in the game.

I agree, there is a difference between a golf ball and a football, you get hit in the head with a golf ball, youll have a bit of a bump, you get hit in the head with a footy, youll probably get knocked over.

I understand though, that a public space is a public space, and when random balls come flying through the air, all you can do is tell them off, or leave the area. Thats one of the joys of public spaces.

Are you for real?

It’s because of people like you that we have a nanny state. Please go and crawl under a rock.

Jim Jones said :

dvaey said :

you get hit in the head with a golf ball, youll have a bit of a bump, you get hit in the head with a footy, youll probably get knocked over

Are you for real?

Surely no-one is this dumb.

I think he means you’ll get a ‘bit of a bump’ due to the fracturing of the skull.

dvaey said :

you get hit in the head with a golf ball, youll have a bit of a bump, you get hit in the head with a footy, youll probably get knocked over

Are you for real?

Surely no-one is this dumb.

See TAMS:

Golf practice is not permitted when a Sportsground is in use by groups or individuals.
Golf balls are not to be hit in the direction of property, e.g., buildings, parked cars, tractors engaged in mowing, pavilions or floodlight towers.
It is an offence to deliberately endanger life or property and legal action will be taken against anyone caught doing so.
Tee-off is only permitted outside the marked playing surface and should be restricted to perimeter areas.
All divots must be replaced as per golf course etiquette.
Inquiries should be directed to the Operations Manager-Sport and Recreation Facilities on 6207 5143.

http://www.tams.act.gov.au/play/sport_and_recreation/sportsgrounds_and_facilities/sportsgroundbookings/faq

TAMS have heaps of laws (like people having to pick up their dog poop) but when was the last time you heard of anyone being prosecuted for hitting a golf ball when they shouldn’t etc. ?

…except golf courses are not public spaces. Of course there’s no law against hitting golf balls, other than common sense.

Was the golfer using a practice ball(pic here)?

Practice balls are just for this purpose, so that you can wack as hard as you can but it will:
a) not travel very far
b) will not hurt all that much if it hits someone (but then it’s easy to keep a safe distance because of a))

If the golfer wasn’t using one then I’d have a chat with him to see if s/he is willing to acknowledge your concern and swap his balls. A golf ball that can travel 200m+ is as dangerous as an air-rifle or archery.

Try this thread:
http://the-riotact.com/tiger-woods-lovers-on-public-ovals/14780

There is a fairly definitive answer saying it is not illegal in the ACT.

See TAMS:

Golf practice is not permitted when a Sportsground is in use by groups or individuals.
Golf balls are not to be hit in the direction of property, e.g., buildings, parked cars, tractors engaged in mowing, pavilions or floodlight towers.
It is an offence to deliberately endanger life or property and legal action will be taken against anyone caught doing so.
Tee-off is only permitted outside the marked playing surface and should be restricted to perimeter areas.
All divots must be replaced as per golf course etiquette.
Inquiries should be directed to the Operations Manager-Sport and Recreation Facilities on 6207 5143.

http://www.tams.act.gov.au/play/sport_and_recreation/sportsgrounds_and_facilities/sportsgroundbookings/faq

Having been out for a BBQ at Fadden Pines on the weekend and nearly being cleaned up by a mis-kicked soccer ball Id like to throw my support behind your idea of banning golf in public places. Id like to extend the ban to all sports where the ball can end up in any direction where people might be standing and not be invovled in the game.

I agree, there is a difference between a golf ball and a football, you get hit in the head with a golf ball, youll have a bit of a bump, you get hit in the head with a footy, youll probably get knocked over.

I understand though, that a public space is a public space, and when random balls come flying through the air, all you can do is tell them off, or leave the area. Thats one of the joys of public spaces.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.