A major safety lawsuit involving Topgolf has ended with a multi-million-dollar payout to a woman who was struck by a flying golf club. The settlement resolves a federal case filed in Portland, Oregon, where Kendal Spencer suffered severe injuries while sitting in a reserved bay at the Hillsboro location. This incident highlights the hidden dangers within the popular entertainment venue, where spectators and players share tight spaces without adequate barriers.
The case centers on an event that occurred in June 2023. Spencer was visiting the venue with friends when a club slipped from another golfer’s hands. The club traveled from two bays away and struck Spencer while she sat on a couch. She required ambulance transport and nine staples to close a wound on her scalp. Her legal team at Smith Foster King filed the negligence lawsuit in early 2025, arguing that Topgolf failed to protect customers sitting near hitting areas.
The Injury and Legal Battle
GolfMagic reports that Spencer stated the event caused her a traumatic brain injury. She also reported ongoing headaches, memory problems, vertigo, blurred vision, and chronic pain. These symptoms have significantly impacted her life since the accident. The lawsuit specifically targeted the seating arrangement at the venue. Lawyers argued that seating areas were positioned near bays without sufficient barriers to stop a club from entering if a player lost their grip.
The injury occurred while Spencer was not executing a shot personally. She was simply sitting with friends when the club flew from another part of the venue. This detail was crucial to the case, as it highlighted the risks faced by customers inside a bay who are not actively hitting golf balls. The settlement amount has not been publicly disclosed, but her lawyers state the deal is worth several million dollars. This situation arises under two years after a significant Topgolf legal case in Oregon.
Questions on Venue Safety
The resolution of this case raises serious questions about how entertainment golf venues manage risk. The lack of physical separation between the hitting zone and the seating area appears to be the core issue. When a club flies two bays away, it proves that current safety measures may not be enough for the layout…