A stray golf ball injury at a municipal driving range has led to a $5 million legal claim against the city of Mesa and the private company operating the course, after a golfer suffered a ruptured testicle when a ball ricocheted off a range pole.
According to a report cited by Golf Digest, Jackson Shelton was practicing at Dobson Ranch Golf Course on Feb. 14 when a golfer using a nearby area hit a shot that struck a net-support pole and bounced back toward Shelton.
The ball hit Shelton in the groin, causing severe pain and requiring emergency medical treatment.
Stray golf ball injury sends golfer to hospital
Following the incident, Shelton was taken to Banner Desert Medical Center. According to allegations described in the legal filing, he experienced severe left scrotal pain, along with elevated blood pressure and an abnormally rapid heart rate.
Medical imaging reportedly confirmed that Shelton had suffered a ruptured left testicle, with disrupted blood flow and significant internal bleeding.
The injury required surgery, followed by additional medical appointments during his recovery.
An April 10 follow-up reportedly found that Shelton’s testosterone levels were lower than expected for a man his age. The claim alleges that the injury resulted in continuing physical and emotional consequences.
The stray golf ball injury also reportedly created substantial financial losses. According to the allegations, Shelton’s medical expenses exceeded $41,000, while he was unable to work for his family’s agriculture business during his recovery.
The filing reportedly estimates that his lost income was approximately $5,600 per month.
Lawsuit alleges dangerous driving range design
Shelton and his family are seeking $5 million in damages from the city of Mesa and Paradigm Golf Group, the private contractor responsible for managing Dobson Ranch Golf Course.
The claim alleges that the defendants allowed an unsafe condition to remain at the driving range. Shelton’s attorney, Thomas Richardson, argues that a pole supporting the protective netting was positioned too close to the hitting mats.
According to the allegations, the location of the pole created a foreseeable possibility that golf balls could strike the rigid structure and ricochet toward people using the range.
The claim further alleges that the facility lacked sufficient safeguards, including adequate separation between hitting bays, protective shielding and visible warnings about the potential hazard.
Richardson argues that driving ranges routinely involve high-speed golf balls being struck within confined spaces, making the possibility of dangerous ricochets something that should be considered in the design and operation of the facility.
The stray golf ball injury is at the center of the dispute over whether the golf course’s design and safety measures were adequate.
City and golf operator face $5 million claim
The lawsuit seeks compensation for medical expenses, lost income and alleged pain and suffering. It also describes emotional consequences, including humiliation and anxiety associated with the serious injury.
The legal allegations, however, remain claims made by Shelton and his attorney. The responsibility for the accident and whether the defendants were legally liable will ultimately depend on the civil court process.
The case highlights the safety challenges that can arise at driving ranges, where golfers are routinely hitting balls at high speeds in relatively confined spaces.
Driving-range operators commonly use netting, barriers and designated hitting areas to reduce the likelihood of balls reaching other patrons. The lawsuit will now put the specific design and safety conditions at Dobson Ranch Golf Course under scrutiny.
Golf range safety under scrutiny
A stray golf ball injury can occur when a ball leaves its expected path because of an errant shot, a ricochet or an inadequate barrier. While golfers generally recognize that errant shots are part of the sport, Shelton’s case centers on whether the particular hazard involved could have been prevented.
The claim argues that the combination of the pole’s location and the angle at which golfers were hitting created an unreasonable risk.
The case also raises broader questions for golf facilities about how protective structures are positioned around hitting areas and whether patrons receive adequate warnings about potential hazards.
For golfers, the incident serves as a reminder that driving ranges can involve risks beyond the golfer directly hitting a ball. Even when protective netting is installed, equipment and structural features can affect how an errant shot travels.
The stray golf ball injury claim against Mesa and Paradigm Golf Group seeks $5 million, but the final outcome will depend on the evidence presented and the court’s determination of responsibility.
Until the case is resolved, the allegations against the city and course operator should not be treated as established facts. The legal proceedings will determine whether the facility’s design or operation contributed to Shelton’s injuries and whether damages should be awarded.
The incident nevertheless underscores the importance of proper driving-range design, protective barriers and clear safety measures wherever golfers are hitting high-speed balls in close proximity to other people.
