Nova Scotia Supreme Court makes landmark ruling on... Happy Gilmore golf swing.

It's times like these that I start to re-evaluate my choice to type sports-related gibberish and wonder aloud why I didn't pursue a career in law. Because, gentle reader, it is in the court room where the lifeblood of a nation flows, where decisions are made that dictate societal behaviour for countless generations. Important stuff. For example, a Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge has deemed the Happy Gilmore golf swing illegal.

The Christian Science-Monitor reports on the case that started when a few buddies went out for a pre-wedding round of golf, added a slew of booze and a pinch of weed, someone got hurt, that someone sued his buddy and all of a sudden I'm not allowed to take a running start at my tee shots anywhere near "Canada's Ocean Playground."

Justice Arthur J. LeBlanc said: "“I am convinced that the 'Happy Gilmore' shot would have been less controllable than a normal tee shot, both because it involved a run-up to the ball (rather than an aimed shot from a stationary position) and because the defendant had been drinking throughout the day," and that the swing "breached the standard of care owed to other players on the course.”

In the words of the mighty Joe Flaherty ...

Comments

[Allan]

Any "average" type golfer trying this stunt would be at severe risk of not only injuring others, but also himself.

[wayne]

So a drunk and stoned buddy went on a pre-wedding golf round,got hurt due to his involvement in the partying and got hurt.Talk about a douchebag!!

Talk about a douchebag!!

[Donnie]

Maybe they should have a swing detector at every single tee box and set a limit as to how hard you can take a whack at your drive... Ridiculous!!

[Jeff]

Imagine that...someone having fun and a couple drinks on a golf course...shocker. So get a grip Wayne...unless you have never had a beer on the golf course...dont bother judging him.

It doesnt hurt alan, its just a golf swing with a few steps. ITs fun.

So lets not blow this out of proportion. Society is the problem...noone is responsible for their own actions anymore...and it appears the government wants it that way by taking responsiblilities away from people and creating more stupid rules.

[Jason]

It's not the swing that's the problem... it's the idiot who didn't want to take responsibility for his actions while drunk and stoned. In that condition he could have injured his friend even using a 'normal' swing...

[Jesse]

I did a Gilmore playing with some friends and I cleared the green on a 420 yard hole on two shots... I'm TWELVE!!

[DaveS]

all I gotta say is LOL

[BILL59]

IMHO the "friend" who got hurt under these circumstances and sued; is indeed a douchebag! They got drunk and stoned together and are all at fault equally.

[Wayne]

Not judging the golfer,just the douchebag who's suing his buddies.BTW-I hate #$% @ golf!!

[rob]

What a waste of tax payers money. When every idiot gets hurt is there suppose to be a new law or ruling created? What a joke & disgrace to this country!

[ME]

Maybe the "douchebag friend" shouldn't have stood in front on the tee box,.. didn't he know that it can be dangerous.