By Natalie Bird, Ph.D.
In May of this year, golf instructor Mohammad Mohseni Goudarzi incurred injuries after being struck in the face by golfer Youssef Abbad El Andaloussi’s club during a lesson. In this scenario, “golfer” is used loosely; El Andaloussi was learning introductory golf techniques during his lesson. The term “lesson” is also used lightly as multiple news articles call it a “family favor” rather than formal instruction.
One of the most important and early ingrained golf techniques is really not a technique at all. It is simply awareness of your surroundings when you have a club in your hand. Often the first point stressed during a lesson, regardless the students’ age, is to not swing a club if anyone is directly behind, beside, or in front of you. Beginners are also educated on where to properly stand around other golfers to ensure not being hit by another player’s club or ball.
The lesson was painted as an informal favor, but a lack in formality does not mean a lack of duty or a lack of standard of care. Goudarzi still owed El Andaloussi a duty to act as a prudent professional, including educating El Andaloussi of the risks associated with swinging a golf club and the importance of awareness of your surroundings. It is unclear if Goudarzi included that information despite an instructor’s proximity to a player when giving a lesson. Physical touch, standing in areas considered unsafe around the golfer, and even providing demonstrations that require the player to move the club slowly toward the instructor are all common during golf lessons. Not providing proper warning during instruction put both Goudarzi and El Andaloussi at risk, despite the inherent risks of giving a golf lesson.
Goudarzi’s training and experience as a golf instructor is unclear. He is listed as an instructor at LM Golf School, a group of golf professionals that offer instruction and camps in multiple countries. Their website notes Goudarzi as an instructor in Bolivia with an impressive player resume. When it comes to formal education and certifications, none are listed; but the website states he began playing golf at 6 years old. His extensive playing experience alone would give Goudarzi a deep understanding of the risks inherent to the situation and necessity of proper safety warnings, especially considering El Andaloussi is inexperienced.
The events of the lawsuit didn’t end at the golf course. Immediately following the accident, golf course staff attempted to contact emergency personnel, only to be stopped by El Andaloussi, who insisted on taking Goudarzi to the hospital himself. After dropping him off at the emergency room, El Andaloussi essentially disappeared. He ceased all communication due to his self-proclaimed busy work schedule and directed Goudarzi to his wife, Azi Mohseni. She referred him to a doctor that identified nothing was broken or seriously injured, which ultimately proved to be a misdiagnosis. Goudarzi’s condition continued to worsen, leading to infection and emergency reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation. His ongoing medical issues have significantly impacted his quality of life and earnings and have resulted in sizeable medical bills. El Andaloussi’s free golf lesson may turn out to be expensive after all—Goudarzi is suing Al Andaloussi for over $1 million in damages.
Natalie Bird, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. She teaches law and hospitality courses in the Health, Human Performance and Recreation Department and possesses over fifteen years of golf industry experience. Her research area is risk management and legal issues pertaining to the golf industry.
