Drinking water policy at a course. Not filling your bottle!

[Terp]

[quote name='Krt22' timestamp='1375237941' post='7573212']
[quote name='Hot Rod 71' timestamp='1375236277' post='7572976']
[quote name='RJRJRJ' timestamp='1375235206' post='7572820']
Maybe im misunderstanding something here... I love when courses have lots of free water available, but to say that they legally have to provide it?? How do you figure? If they said you arent allowed to bring your own water, I could understand the litigious response, but it seems like people are simply mad that they arent providing it to you for free.

It just seems like the simple solution is to bring more water with you. Or you can fill it up in the bathroom sink or hose (gross, I know, but you do realize thats what theyre filling those coolers with, right?).

If this is a very nice course, I agree that copious amounts of water should be provided with your substantial green fee... but the fact is that most courses are barely staying in business these days, and the more man power that its takes to keep filling water coolers is just an extra expense that they probably cant afford.
[/quote]

I'm not saying they legally have to provide it, but by not providing it they are setting themselves up for a lawsuit.

Imagine a player goes out on a 90*+ day. Its not a busy day because of the heat and the cart girl is sent home because its slow. By the time this player reaches the 8th hole he has depleted his own water supply. He begins to feel light-headed, weak, and nauseated, all signs of heat exhaustion. He walks off the green feeling confused, and faints. There is no one around and he eventually starts seizing from the effects of heat stroke. Hopefully, someone will eventually find him before he dies.

If this person is found, and recovers, don't you think he would have a case against the course?
[/quote]

I doubt it, its not like they are forcing you to play the course and are liable for holding your hand and baby sitting. If it did ever happen, [b]with every round you play they will force us to sign a liability waiver assuming the risk of walking in the heat with limited hydration[/b]
[/quote]

I agree that a lawsuit would not be a slam dunk in favor of the golfer due to an assumption of risk - you knew or should have known it would be hot that day and chose to engage in an outdoor activity that imposes certain risks. Not to mention the risk of being hit with a golf ball, snake bites, bee stings, etc. If water or other beverages were available in the clubhouse, why didn't the golfer purchase those prior to the round in anticipation of dehydration becoming an issue? This would raise a lot of legal issues.

[HighSpeedScene]

Meh - don't like it, don't play there anymore. My house, my rules, their house, their rules. Don't get me wrong, availability of drinking water on the course is huge to me - there's a course in the Chicago area I will never go back to just because they do a terrible job keeping water available. But I'm not gonna complain - they just don't get my money anymore.

[Hot Rod 71]

[quote name='Thug Hunter' timestamp='1375240790' post='7573564']
Those of you who brought up and are continuing with the argument or point made about hiring a lawyer if someone has a dehyrdation or heat related incident on the course. [b] Pl[b]ease [/b]refrain from sounding like an idiot. I[/b] bet you're the same people that claim your back hurts on a fender bender that resulted in a door ding size dent.

Dehyration is not a cause of not having water while playing golf, it's a problem with not drinking enough water prior to playing golf. It takes very little water to maintain hydration during a round of golf if you don't start out the round dehydrated to begin with. I play in 100º+, bring two bottles of water and one gatorade and I have never had an issue. Drink plenty of water the day before and the day of, lay off the caffeine drinks prior to your round and you should be fine from heat related issues.
[/quote]


I really don't understand the need for childish name calling. Just because someone offers a counterpoint doesn't mean he agrees with it or is an idiot. Its about examining the situation from all sides to uncover all possibilities. While I agree litigation is frivolous and unnecessary, there are people out there who would jump on the opportunity to earn some "free money". I am not one of them. But we can't look past the fact that there are people like that, and any press or news coverage of such an incident could cause irreparable damage to a golf course's image and future earnings.

Try rereading post #32.

[highergr0und]

Why does everyone think you can sue for anything and make tons of money? A judge would toss a case like lack of water jugs on a golf course in a second, and the lawyer that even filed might face discipline. A course actually faces more liability if they have them and they're empty. Then it could be argued that it's reasonable for a person to assume they did not have to bring water on the course due to the presence of jugs. Just saying.

We seem to have a lot of drama queens on here. If you cannot carry enough water to make it through a round, maybe you shouldn't be playing golf. Bowling lets you keep any beverage you want right on the table. Billiards, darts, shuffleboard, butt, man I think I can go on and on. Even sports like softball only require you to survive about 10 minutes without a drink.

And yes, i walk when I play. Played the last 7 out of 8 years on courses in Mississippi with no water jugs, and the last one in Tennessee with jugs that are always empty. I carry water

[Hot Rod 71]

If I were the general manager of a golf course I would rather provide the water and have people saying good things about my course, than to not provide water in an attempt to save a few pennies and have people talk bad about my course.

[HateTheHighDraw]

[quote name='highergr0und' timestamp='1375277639' post='7575166']
Why does everyone think you can sue for anything and make tons of money? A judge would toss a case like lack of water jugs on a golf course in a second, and the lawyer that even filed might face discipline. A course actually faces more liability if they have them and they're empty. Then it could be argued that it's reasonable for a person to assume they did not have to bring water on the course due to the presence of jugs. Just saying.

We seem to have a lot of drama queens on here. If you cannot carry enough water to make it through a round, maybe you shouldn't be playing golf. Bowling lets you keep any beverage you want right on the table. Billiards, darts, shuffleboard, butt, man I think I can go on and on. Even sports like softball only require you to survive about 10 minutes without a drink.

And yes, i walk when I play. Played the last 7 out of 8 years on courses in Mississippi with no water jugs, and the last one in Tennessee with jugs that are always empty. I carry water
[/quote]

In Florida you are required to provide water and its obvious because its so damn hot here. If you left coolers empty and someone died from heat stroke, there'd be huge liability.

[larrybud]

What's really ridiculous about the course's policy is that instead of the ranger going around filling up water coolers and avoiding this issue, he's stuck in one location handing out cups of water.

I don't understand why you guys don't name the course, either. It's their policy, like any other course policy. What difference does it make?

[rsj1360]

Get a cup of water from him and pour it in your bottle. Go back and say, "I'm still thirsty" (or as in "Oliver" you could say, "Please sir, I want some more"), etc until your bottle is full.

[RRFireblade]

Never heard of such a thing....of course this Florida and people die in the heat here.....but still.

Makes zero sense that it would be easier to hand out cups of water one by one than leave a cooler out.

Do they have a community pencil you all share too?

[theebdk]

This is an insane topic, altough a very good one presented by the poster. Our bodies are made up of a high percentage of water. If we perform an athletic endeavor, we lose and must replace, a lot of that water. To keep from dehydrating you must drink a fair amount of water. I forget the amount per hole, but it is quite a bit. Our course has an ice and water machine at the start of the courses, another at the turn or another point on the course, and water fountains every couple of holes or so. I grab a cup of ice and water at the start and keep filling up. In the offseason, when the machines are shut down I bring a couple of bottles of water.

Play it safe and re-hydrate. And to the original poster, switch courses.

[Thug Hunter]

[quote name='HateTheHighDraw' timestamp='1375278105' post='7575224']
[quote name='highergr0und' timestamp='1375277639' post='7575166']
Why does everyone think you can sue for anything and make tons of money? A judge would toss a case like lack of water jugs on a golf course in a second, and the lawyer that even filed might face discipline. A course actually faces more liability if they have them and they're empty. Then it could be argued that it's reasonable for a person to assume they did not have to bring water on the course due to the presence of jugs. Just saying.

We seem to have a lot of drama queens on here. If you cannot carry enough water to make it through a round, maybe you shouldn't be playing golf. Bowling lets you keep any beverage you want right on the table. Billiards, darts, shuffleboard, butt, man I think I can go on and on. Even sports like softball only require you to survive about 10 minutes without a drink.

And yes, i walk when I play. Played the last 7 out of 8 years on courses in Mississippi with no water jugs, and the last one in Tennessee with jugs that are always empty. I carry water
[/quote]

In Florida you are required to provide water and its obvious because its so damn hot here. [b]If you left coolers empty and someone died from heat stroke, there'd be huge liability.[/b]
[/quote]

No there wouldn't. There would be zero percent of liability on the course. Why is this still being discussed? Adding this to the OP's discussion is ridiculous. Just one more thing to add to the list of things wrong with society today. Those of you who think differently, I pose a challenge. Call an attorney, specifically a personal injury attorney and run this by him/her as a case that he/she would take and then get back to us on what his/her response was.

People need to get this "lawsuit mindset" out of their heads.

[Thug Hunter]

[quote name='HateTheHighDraw' timestamp='1375278105' post='7575224']
[quote name='highergr0und' timestamp='1375277639' post='7575166']
Why does everyone think you can sue for anything and make tons of money? A judge would toss a case like lack of water jugs on a golf course in a second, and the lawyer that even filed might face discipline. A course actually faces more liability if they have them and they're empty. Then it could be argued that it's reasonable for a person to assume they did not have to bring water on the course due to the presence of jugs. Just saying.

We seem to have a lot of drama queens on here. If you cannot carry enough water to make it through a round, maybe you shouldn't be playing golf. Bowling lets you keep any beverage you want right on the table. Billiards, darts, shuffleboard, butt, man I think I can go on and on. Even sports like softball only require you to survive about 10 minutes without a drink.

And yes, i walk when I play. Played the last 7 out of 8 years on courses in Mississippi with no water jugs, and the last one in Tennessee with jugs that are always empty. I carry water
[/quote]

[b]In Florida you are required to provide water and its obvious because its so damn hot here.[/b] If you left coolers empty and someone died from heat stroke, there'd be huge liability.
[/quote]

Show me in writing where it says a golf course is "required to provide water."

[rsj1360]

In case the youngun's don't know what "Oliver" is:  

[SHIVAN]

Join a country club, bring your own water in your bag to that club, or play somewhere else.

Pretty simple solution tree.

[wingedfoot97]

[quote name='highergr0und' timestamp='1375277639' post='7575166']
Why does everyone think you can sue for anything and make tons of money? A judge would toss a case like lack of water jugs on a golf course in a second, and the lawyer that even filed might face discipline. A course actually faces more liability if they have them and they're empty. Then it could be argued that it's reasonable for a person to assume they did not have to bring water on the course due to the presence of jugs. Just saying.

We seem to have a lot of drama queens on here. If you cannot carry enough water to make it through a round, maybe you shouldn't be playing golf. Bowling lets you keep any beverage you want right on the table. Billiards, darts, shuffleboard, butt, man I think I can go on and on. Even sports like softball only require you to survive about 10 minutes without a drink.

And yes, i walk when I play. Played the last 7 out of 8 years on courses in Mississippi with no water jugs, and the last one in Tennessee with jugs that are always empty. I carry water
[/quote]

You make good points but if a lawsuit was brought about "out west" where judges/juries would let satan himself out if they could, a lawsuit, as frivilous as it may be, could very well make headlines and get a result.

Would I sue? Of course not. However there are folks that would. For those who get on here and call the possibilty of a lawsuit ridiculous think again. We live in a lawsuit happy world.

Besides, overall lots of non golfers see golf as a rich mans game and news outlets would jump on board quick to paint the course in a bad light.

[Hi Im Joe]

[quote name='Greenie' timestamp='1375232186' post='7572364']
I am one that carries two 24 oz Hydro Flask bottles in my golf bag when I play golf filled with ice, water and a Nuun tablet in each one. I know some of you are against someone bringing their own drink with them to the course even though I am speaking of water and Nuun. (Nuun similar to Gatorade without the sugar) I have brought my own water for years after some experiences with empty coolers on the course. I use Nuun because I am Diabetic. Usually I go through my two bottles before finishing my round so I still rely on the course for water. I was walking last week and the temps were around 95. I never noticed the water coolers on the front nine because I didn't need any water. I kept going at the turn. While on the back I figured I should refill my bottles. I noticed all the water coolers were gone from their stands. A hole later I noticed the ranger and and several foursomes gathered around the ranger. I saw the ranger handing out little cups of water. I figured the ranger was bringing out fresh water and the guys ahead caught him and grabbed a drink. As the ranger pulled up to me I stopped and pulled out my bottles to refill them. The ranger asks me if I want a drink and I said yea the coolers have been empty for awhile. Then he sees my bottles and says I can give you a drink but you can't fill up your bottles. I said what? He says new course policy. He said the course was tired of people bringing their own bottles and filling them up using up all the water and then when someone wanted a drink they were empty. He said it seemed like all they were doing was filling up the coolers all day. So now the ranger will be riding around slowing up play rationing out drinks of water. I voice my opinion on the matter and he said I was part of the problem. He said we offer a beverage cart or I can give you a cup of water if you choose not to support the cart. I laughed and asked where the cart was since I hadn't seen one ( not that I was paying attention to it anyway) and he said it probably stopped running this late in the day. Am I going have to break out my Growler? Is this a common practice elsewhere? Am I so terrible I want to carry my water and or use the course water. I told a friend about their new policy and he thought if someone passed out from dehydration the course could be held liable. You opinions of the matter.
[/quote]

That would be the last time I play that course. I can understand course being upset about bringing your alcohol but your freaking water? Really?

[RRFireblade]

Florida parks, recreation and camping in my area are required to provide water. Doesn't have to be at your convenience just available somewhere.

Tennis leagues are required to provide water in order to host leagues at a given facility.

Golf courses, I have no idea but it wouldn't be surprising.

[nuthin but a hacker]

[quote name='highergr0und' timestamp='1375277639' post='7575166'] [b]Why does everyone think you can sue for anything and make tons of money? A judge would toss a case like lack of water jugs on a golf course in a second, and the lawyer that even filed might face discipline[/b]. A course actually faces more liability if they have them and they're empty. Then it could be argued that it's reasonable for a person to assume they did not have to bring water on the course due to the presence of jugs. Just saying. We seem to have a lot of drama queens on here. If you cannot carry enough water to make it through a round, maybe you shouldn't be playing golf. Bowling lets you keep any beverage you want right on the table. Billiards, darts, shuffleboard, butt, man I think I can go on and on. Even sports like softball only require you to survive about 10 minutes without a drink. And yes, i walk when I play. Played the last 7 out of 8 years on courses in Mississippi with no water jugs, and the last one in Tennessee with jugs that are always empty. I carry water [/quote]

It's about as silly as someone suing McDonalds for hot coffe being too hot and burning them...oh wait...

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liebeck_v._McDonald"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liebeck_v._McDonald's_Restaurants[/url]

Nobody is saying we would sue but you better believe there are folks out there that would, in a heartbeat. And as shown above, you can find stupid judges and jurys anywhere.

I think the biggest complaint comes from courses saying no outside drinks or coolers and then not at least offering water on the course. It's just dumb. But yeah they can do what they want. We can talk with our money. You know what they say about money, it talks.

[tbowles411]

[quote name='Sean2' timestamp='1375232500' post='7572414']
Oy vey...they won't fill up a water cooler? I'd find another place to play.

ps: I too use a hydroflask and a similar tablet kind of thing.
[/quote]
There are a few courses around here that don't have ANY water on the course.

[qrispy2]

Why not just fill up your bottles at the turn in the clubhouse? Two hydroflasks for the front two for the back. Problem solved.

[Mr.Wonderful]

Maybe its the crappy munis i play on, but none of the courses I play even give water. I have just grown up brining my own water. I can just picture those coolers festering with bacteria too.

[Thug Hunter]

[quote name='nuthin but a hacker' timestamp='1375287124' post='7576410']
[quote name='highergr0und' timestamp='1375277639' post='7575166'] [b]Why does everyone think you can sue for anything and make tons of money? A judge would toss a case like lack of water jugs on a golf course in a second, and the lawyer that even filed might face discipline[/b]. A course actually faces more liability if they have them and they're empty. Then it could be argued that it's reasonable for a person to assume they did not have to bring water on the course due to the presence of jugs. Just saying. We seem to have a lot of drama queens on here. If you cannot carry enough water to make it through a round, maybe you shouldn't be playing golf. Bowling lets you keep any beverage you want right on the table. Billiards, darts, shuffleboard, butt, man I think I can go on and on. Even sports like softball only require you to survive about 10 minutes without a drink. And yes, i walk when I play. Played the last 7 out of 8 years on courses in Mississippi with no water jugs, and the last one in Tennessee with jugs that are always empty. I carry water [/quote]

It's about as silly as someone suing McDonalds for hot coffe being too hot and burning them...oh wait...

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liebeck_v._McDonald"]http://en.wikipedia....9;s_Restaurants[/url]

Nobody is saying we would sue but you better believe there are folks out there that would, in a heartbeat. And as shown above, you can find stupid judges and jurys anywhere.

I think the biggest complaint comes from courses saying no outside drinks or coolers and then not at least offering water on the course. It's just dumb. But yeah they can do what they want. We can talk with our money. You know what they say about money, it talks.
[/quote]

The McDonalds coffee case was nearly 20 years ago. Most frivolous lawsuits never get past an initial consultation with an attorney these days. And if they do, claims like these never make it past day one in civil court. I occasionally play golf with a District Court Judge (who hears civil cases), I can't wait to play with him again and give this scenario.

[wingedfoot97]

[quote name='Thug Hunter' timestamp='1375288459' post='7576598']
[quote name='nuthin but a hacker' timestamp='1375287124' post='7576410']
[quote name='highergr0und' timestamp='1375277639' post='7575166'] [b]Why does everyone think you can sue for anything and make tons of money? A judge would toss a case like lack of water jugs on a golf course in a second, and the lawyer that even filed might face discipline[/b]. A course actually faces more liability if they have them and they're empty. Then it could be argued that it's reasonable for a person to assume they did not have to bring water on the course due to the presence of jugs. Just saying. We seem to have a lot of drama queens on here. If you cannot carry enough water to make it through a round, maybe you shouldn't be playing golf. Bowling lets you keep any beverage you want right on the table. Billiards, darts, shuffleboard, butt, man I think I can go on and on. Even sports like softball only require you to survive about 10 minutes without a drink. And yes, i walk when I play. Played the last 7 out of 8 years on courses in Mississippi with no water jugs, and the last one in Tennessee with jugs that are always empty. I carry water [/quote]

It's about as silly as someone suing McDonalds for hot coffe being too hot and burning them...oh wait...

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liebeck_v._McDonald"]http://en.wikipedia....9;s_Restaurants[/url]

Nobody is saying we would sue but you better believe there are folks out there that would, in a heartbeat. And as shown above, you can find stupid judges and jurys anywhere.

I think the biggest complaint comes from courses saying no outside drinks or coolers and then not at least offering water on the course. It's just dumb. But yeah they can do what they want. We can talk with our money. You know what they say about money, it talks.
[/quote]

The McDonalds coffee case was nearly 20 years ago. Most frivolous lawsuits never get past an initial consultation with an attorney these days. And if they do, claims like these never make it past day one in civil court. I occasionally play golf with a District Court Judge (who hears civil cases), I can't wait to play with him again and give this scenario.
[/quote]

If he has ever practiced in the 9th circuit or out here around California be prepared for him to possibly side with the person bringing suit against the course.

Either way the publicity from the media no matter the ruling would cause irrepairable harm to the course's reputation. In today's economy they would surely be in a lose/lose situation.

I'm sure there are rare cases of folks dying while drinking the water but that has to be the exception, not the rule. What would the course's argument be? They would have to put up some sort of defense maybe not in a courtroom but in the media when they are getting trounced.

[RJRJRJ]

[quote name='wingedfoot97' timestamp='1375291431' post='7577070']
[quote name='Thug Hunter' timestamp='1375288459' post='7576598']
[quote name='nuthin but a hacker' timestamp='1375287124' post='7576410']
[quote name='highergr0und' timestamp='1375277639' post='7575166'] [b]Why does everyone think you can sue for anything and make tons of money? A judge would toss a case like lack of water jugs on a golf course in a second, and the lawyer that even filed might face discipline[/b]. A course actually faces more liability if they have them and they're empty. Then it could be argued that it's reasonable for a person to assume they did not have to bring water on the course due to the presence of jugs. Just saying. We seem to have a lot of drama queens on here. If you cannot carry enough water to make it through a round, maybe you shouldn't be playing golf. Bowling lets you keep any beverage you want right on the table. Billiards, darts, shuffleboard, butt, man I think I can go on and on. Even sports like softball only require you to survive about 10 minutes without a drink. And yes, i walk when I play. Played the last 7 out of 8 years on courses in Mississippi with no water jugs, and the last one in Tennessee with jugs that are always empty. I carry water [/quote]

It's about as silly as someone suing McDonalds for hot coffe being too hot and burning them...oh wait...

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liebeck_v._McDonald"]http://en.wikipedia....9;s_Restaurants[/url]

Nobody is saying we would sue but you better believe there are folks out there that would, in a heartbeat. And as shown above, you can find stupid judges and jurys anywhere.

I think the biggest complaint comes from courses saying no outside drinks or coolers and then not at least offering water on the course. It's just dumb. But yeah they can do what they want. We can talk with our money. You know what they say about money, it talks.
[/quote]

The McDonalds coffee case was nearly 20 years ago. Most frivolous lawsuits never get past an initial consultation with an attorney these days. And if they do, claims like these never make it past day one in civil court. I occasionally play golf with a District Court Judge (who hears civil cases), I can't wait to play with him again and give this scenario.
[/quote]

If he has ever practiced in the 9th circuit or out here around California be prepared for him to possibly side with the person bringing suit against the course.

[b]Either way the publicity from the media no matter the ruling would cause irrepairable harm to the course's reputation.[/b] In today's economy they would surely be in a lose/lose situation.

I'm sure there are rare cases of folks dying while drinking the water but that has to be the exception, not the rule. What would the course's argument be? They would have to put up some sort of defense maybe not in a courtroom but in the media when they are getting trounced.
[/quote]

Its impossible to say what would come of it. Common sense may prevail and people would see right through it, just as they did with the Mcdonald's case.

If I pass out walking down the street one day, can I sue my city? I pay taxes to live here; why the hell dont I have water coolers on each block? Thats downright negligent!

[jones137]

[quote name='Mr.Wonderful' timestamp='1375288372' post='7576588']
Maybe its the crappy munis i play on, but none of the courses I play even give water. I have just grown up brining my own water. I can just picture those coolers festering with bacteria too.
[/quote]

In Licking county in Ohio someone died about 10 years ago from bacteria linked to a water cooler on the course. Since then, courses in Licking county are not allowed to put water out on the course.......and a lot of these courses don't have beverage carts. I usually bring 4 32 ounce bottles of water with me just in case.......but if you are walking they add a ton of weight.

[wingedfoot97]

[quote name='RJRJRJ' timestamp='1375291801' post='7577140']
[quote name='wingedfoot97' timestamp='1375291431' post='7577070']
[quote name='Thug Hunter' timestamp='1375288459' post='7576598']
[quote name='nuthin but a hacker' timestamp='1375287124' post='7576410']
[quote name='highergr0und' timestamp='1375277639' post='7575166'] [b]Why does everyone think you can sue for anything and make tons of money? A judge would toss a case like lack of water jugs on a golf course in a second, and the lawyer that even filed might face discipline[/b]. A course actually faces more liability if they have them and they're empty. Then it could be argued that it's reasonable for a person to assume they did not have to bring water on the course due to the presence of jugs. Just saying. We seem to have a lot of drama queens on here. If you cannot carry enough water to make it through a round, maybe you shouldn't be playing golf. Bowling lets you keep any beverage you want right on the table. Billiards, darts, shuffleboard, butt, man I think I can go on and on. Even sports like softball only require you to survive about 10 minutes without a drink. And yes, i walk when I play. Played the last 7 out of 8 years on courses in Mississippi with no water jugs, and the last one in Tennessee with jugs that are always empty. I carry water [/quote]

It's about as silly as someone suing McDonalds for hot coffe being too hot and burning them...oh wait...

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liebeck_v._McDonald"]http://en.wikipedia....9;s_Restaurants[/url]

Nobody is saying we would sue but you better believe there are folks out there that would, in a heartbeat. And as shown above, you can find stupid judges and jurys anywhere.

I think the biggest complaint comes from courses saying no outside drinks or coolers and then not at least offering water on the course. It's just dumb. But yeah they can do what they want. We can talk with our money. You know what they say about money, it talks.
[/quote]

The McDonalds coffee case was nearly 20 years ago. Most frivolous lawsuits never get past an initial consultation with an attorney these days. And if they do, claims like these never make it past day one in civil court. I occasionally play golf with a District Court Judge (who hears civil cases), I can't wait to play with him again and give this scenario.
[/quote]

If he has ever practiced in the 9th circuit or out here around California be prepared for him to possibly side with the person bringing suit against the course.

[b]Either way the publicity from the media no matter the ruling would cause irrepairable harm to the course's reputation.[/b] In today's economy they would surely be in a lose/lose situation.

I'm sure there are rare cases of folks dying while drinking the water but that has to be the exception, not the rule. What would the course's argument be? They would have to put up some sort of defense maybe not in a courtroom but in the media when they are getting trounced.
[/quote]

Its impossible to say what would come of it. Common sense may prevail and people would see right through it, just as they did with the Mcdonald's case.

If I pass out walking down the street one day, can I sue my city? I pay taxes to live here; why the hell dont I have water coolers on each block? Thats downright negligent!
[/quote]

You say that but people sue all the time...and win. You dont have water coolers on each block because the city spent your money on bike lanes so there was no money left for coolers!

I googled the coffee case and found this one on legal zoom:
In February 1992, Stella Liebeck ordered a cup of coffee to go from McDonalds. Liebeck was sitting in the passenger seat of her nephew's car, which was pulled over so she could add sugar to her coffee. While removing the cup's lid, Liebeck spilled her hot coffee, burning her legs. It was determined that Liebeck suffered third degree burns on over six percent of her body. Originally, Liebeck sought $20,000 in damages. McDonalds refused to settle out of court. However, they should have. Liebeck was ultimately awarded $200,000 in compensatory damages, which was reduced to $160,000 because she was found to be twenty percent at fault. [b]She was also awarded $2.7 million in punitive damages.[/b]

[swbyps]

Wow. At my course there are 7 water stations. Each with two 10 gallon coolers.

[CAT GOLFER]

I guess i see it from both sides, most course i play don't have rangers anymore (more often i see a starter that also does cart cleanup). So the coolers go out early and often times aren't filled until after noon. I typically assume there will not be water and just bring enough for me, and if there is water i fill my bottle up.

I do agree that water is something simple and one of those things that courses shouldn't be making a hassle out of for golfers. Then again i try to avoid courses that don't have water if it is hot and i know there is a possibility that i can't (don't want to) carry enough fluid.

[malicem3]

Lotta lazy rangers at public courses just work there for free golf. Case in point: this thread.

[wingedfoot97]

Off topic but back in the day the course I grew up at would put pink lemonade in the coolers sometimes during the summers. Why? I dont know but I liked it. Sorry to go weirdly off topic.