Southers Marsh Golf Course, Plymouth, Massachusetts, September 15, 2025
News Summary
A dispute over pace of play at Southers Marsh Golf Course escalated into a violent confrontation resulting in a player losing a finger. The accused, a 46-year-old man, faces multiple charges, including assault and battery. The incident has sparked discussions about golf etiquette and pace-of-play enforcement, leaving the local golfing community in shock. It’s a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining decorum on the greens, especially when frustrations over slow play arise.
Plymouth — A golf outing at Southers Marsh turned into one of the most shocking scenes seen on a course in recent memory
What happened on the 18th
A late-Friday round at Southers Marsh Golf Course in Plymouth ended in a brutal confrontation after a dispute over pace of play. Two separate foursomes were wrapping up their rounds on the 18th hole when tempers flared. One player, aged 46, was arrested the next day and now faces several criminal charges tied to the altercation.
The players and the injury
The man arraigned in Plymouth District Court is 46 years old. The injured player is a 57-year-old from nearby Marshfield. During the scuffle, one player bit off the other man’s finger to the knuckle. The injured man’s son acted quickly, placing the severed finger on ice and rushing his father to hospital care, but surgeons were unable to reattach it.
Legal fallout
The 46-year-old was arraigned on charges that include assault and battery, mayhem, and disturbing the peace. He was released on $10,000 bail and ordered to stay away from alcohol and from the injured man. Court records show he is due back in court on Wednesday. After the hearing, he left the courthouse quickly and avoided questions from reporters.
Conflicting accounts
Accounts of how the fight started differ. The accused later said he was defending his father when the altercation began and that during the struggle he found the other man’s finger in his mouth and responded by biting down. The injured player described the moment the finger was severed as a sharp, crunching sound—something similar to the noise when crunching a snack chip. No direct quotes are offered here, only a summary of what was said to authorities and onlookers.
Why this matters to golfers
Beyond the horrific physical injury, this incident has reignited conversations about golf etiquette, pace-of-play policing, and how to handle conflict on course. Many golfers are familiar with the frustration of slow groups, but this event is a vivid warning about how quickly things can escalate when tempers take over. Course marshals, captains and foursome leaders may take a closer look at enforcement and conflict de-escalation after this.
The setting
Southers Marsh is known to regulars as one of the best value public courses in New England, drawing players who like a competitive but friendly round. That reputation makes the incident feel especially jarring to local golfers, who insist the game’s unwritten rules usually keep things civil.
Practical takeaways for players
- Keep perspective: frustration over pace is common, but confrontation is not the answer.
- Alert staff: if a group is persistently slow, call a marshal rather than confront directly.
- De-escalation matters: walk away, breathe, or ask the other group to let you play through.
- Know local rules: many courses have official policies and marshals empowered to handle disputes.
What’s next
The accused will return to court on Wednesday. The injured player is recovering from the traumatic loss of a finger and dealing with both physical and emotional fallout. The course community and local golfers will likely be watching the legal case closely while talking about stronger ways to keep a day on the links from spiraling into violence.
FAQ
Was anyone charged in connection with the incident?
Yes. The man arrested was charged with assault and battery, mayhem, and disturbing the peace.
What happened to the injured player?
The injured player lost a finger to the knuckle in the altercation. His son brought the severed finger on ice to the hospital, but surgeons were unable to reattach it.
Where did this take place?
The incident occurred on the 18th hole at Southers Marsh Golf Course in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Was alcohol involved?
Court conditions require the accused to stay away from alcohol. Whether alcohol played a role in the altercation is part of the ongoing investigation and court proceedings.
Is pace-of-play enforcement changing because of this?
Clubs and courses may reassess how they enforce pace-of-play and handle disputes. Expect more emphasis on marshals and clearer protocols for letting faster groups through or resolving hold-ups.
When is the next court date?
The accused is scheduled to reappear in court on Wednesday.
Quick reference table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Southers Marsh Golf Course, Plymouth, Massachusetts |
| Date of incident | Friday evening (reported) |
| Arraigned individual | 46-year-old male, charged with assault and battery, mayhem, disturbing the peace |
| Victim | 57-year-old male from Marshfield; sustained loss of a finger |
| Bail | $10,000; conditions include no alcohol and no contact with the victim |
| Next court date | Wednesday (scheduled reappearance) |
| Course note | Frequently rated as a top value public course in New England |
| Player advice | Use marshals for pace issues, keep cool, and de-escalate conflicts whenever possible |
For golfers, the episode is a stark reminder that etiquette and self-control are part of the game as much as short irons and putting. The story will develop as the legal process moves forward.
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Additional Resources
- GolfWRX: New Details in the Case of the Golfer Who Allegedly Bit Off Another Golfer’s Finger
- Patriot Ledger: Father of Man Who Bit Off Top Man’s Finger Claims He’s Victim
- Star-Telegram: Golf Course Brawl Leads to Finger-Biting Incident
- Wikipedia: Golf
- WCVB: Victim’s Finger Bitten Off in Massachusetts Golf Course Brawl
- Google Search: Golf Etiquette
- Golfweek: Man Has Finger Bitten Off in Massachusetts Golf Course Melee
- KCRG: Man Bites Off Another Man’s Finger in Golf Course Brawl
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