Living in a golf community comes with undeniable perks — manicured landscapes, front-row access to fairways, a built-in social scene — but it also brings complications that don’t appear on the scorecard. Chief among them: the stray golf ball, an all-too-common hazard that can turn idyllic living into a recurring headache for homeowners.

Where a house sits along a course can make all the difference. Some locations offer peaceful views and long-term value; others invite unintended target practice. Knowing how to navigate those risks — and what recourse homeowners have when problems arise — can pay significant dividends.

Florida attorney John Trebilcock, who pens a regular legal column shared with USA Today Network sister publications across the region, recently tackled the issue head-on, outlining the smartest path forward for homeowners dealing with errant shots and the damage they can cause.

A Vero Beach resident wrote the following to the attorney:

"I live on a golf course, and my home is constantly pelted by golf balls. When I approached the homeowners’ association to try and prevent this potential danger, the association told me there is nothing they can do. How can I convince them to take action?"

Trebilcock offered a two-pronged approach, first to check in the language of the HOA contracts, as well as attempting to deal with the golf course management team.

"In most communities bordering a golf course, there is language in the covenants that includes disclaimers notifying owners that the home is adjacent to a golf course and golf balls may enter the property. These documents also typically provide an easement onto your lot so that golfers can come into your yard and look for those errant golf balls. And if the house is located roughly 220 to 250 yards from the tee box, the association would likely also respond that you had to expect this to happen when buying a home on a golf course.

"In many communities, the HOA governing the homes in the community is not the same corporation that oversees the golf membership and operation. If this is the case, then the association has no jurisdiction over the golfers or the golf club in general."