LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — People living across the street from Atomic Golf say golf balls are repeatedly flying onto their properties, damaging vehicles and raising concerns that someone could eventually get hurt.
Residents showed News 3 golf balls they say they have collected around the neighborhood, along with damage they believe was caused by balls leaving the entertainment venue.
“We hear a boom. It’s a golf ball hitting the roof,” one resident said. “It scared the living bejesus out of me.”
The resident asked not to show his face on camera out of fear of retaliation. He said his biggest concern is what could happen if a ball hits a person or pet.
“If it hits someone, it’s going to kill them or put them in a wheelchair, whatever it may be,” he said. “We do have pets on the property and if it hits them, it will kill them.”
Another resident, Dennis Dana, said finding golf balls around the neighborhood has become routine.
“I walk down the street and I’ll see balls in the gutters all the way down,” Dana said. “I’ll pick up two to three golf balls a week.”
Residents say at least three vehicles have been hit. One person told News 3 his repair bill was about $1,600.
News 3 also saw holes in some of the protective netting at Atomic Golf and workers making repairs with zip ties.
“You can hear a thud, and it hit hard, so it’s either coming through over the top or there are places where the net is compromised,” Dana said.
Atomic Golf disputes that its safety system is failing.
The company told News 3 the netting is inspected daily and said a separate inspection found no evidence that golf balls pose a risk to neighboring properties. Atomic Golf also said it uses limited-flight golf balls.
Residents say they have repeatedly tried to work with the company to find a solution.
“This is not a good situation, and these people don’t want to take responsibility,” one resident said. “They just kick the can down the road.”
Atomic Golf management told News 3 the safety of its guests and the surrounding community is a top priority.
The full statement from Atomic Golf:
We are aware of the concerns that have been raised and take them seriously.We’re so grateful to be part of this area, and the safety of our guests, staff, and community is our top priority.As part of our ongoing safety and maintenance program, we inspect our netting system daily.Following these recent concerns, we conducted an additional comprehensive review of the entire system, including an independent inspection by the original netting installer.Based on those inspections, we have confirmed there is no identified evidence that golf balls are posing a risk to neighboring properties.In addition to our netting infrastructure, we utilize limited-flight golf balls that travel approximately 15% to 20% lower than standard golf balls.The highest hitting bay at our venue, located on the fourth floor, is approximately 36 feet above ground level, while the protective netting extends to a height of 197 feet.