Golf is a dangerous game. Bad for the nerves. Bad for the ego. Bad for the bank balance. But it also appears to be bad for injuries. Figures released by insurance company, Golfplan, shows that between 1988 and 1995, 65,537 players were hospitalised in Britain due to golfing accidents. That's an average of 8,192 per year.

Players struck by balls and clubs accounted for nearly half of the injuries with the vast majority of those involving blows to the head. Other common reasons for injury were falls, over-exertion, thorn bites and stings.

Bearing in mind that a recent court case was won by an injured party who was struck by a wayward shot, you may as well start saving now for the advent of specialist golf insurance cover in the days to come. And will your standard of golf affect the premium? The insurers say not.