When lightning strikes the ground, it will branch out along the soil, or in this matter, a green. Currents stem from the center strike in a coiled weave, which is why it's dangerous to lay flat on the ground during a storm. WATCH: GOLF DIGEST VIDEOS
Can Lightning kill you on a golf course?
And, yes, lightning does kill golfers. The number of lightning deaths per year on the golf course is small, but the United States' National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association says that five-percent of all lightning deaths and injuries in the United States happen on golf courses .
Is it safe to golf in a thunderstorm?
If you hear thunder, it means that lightning is within striking distance. The first step in staying safe from lightning on the golf course is awareness of weather conditions and expected weather conditions during your round. If you know that thunderstorms are possible, then you know to watch out (and listen out) for trouble.
Should golf courses have lightning sirens on the course?
He also said it was common practice for golf courses to provide lightning shelters in strategic places on the course and that the club should have had a siren to warn golfers.
How to stay safe from being struck by lightning?
Here are some tips to keep safe and reduce your risk of being struck by lightning while indoors. Do NOT bathe, shower, wash dishes, or have any other contact with water during a thunderstorm because lightning can travel through a building’s plumbing.
Is it safe to golf during lightning?
Golf and Frisbee Golf are the only sports with regulations relating to lightning. A good rule for everyone is: "If you can see it (lightning), flee it; if you can hear it (thunder), clear it."
Can a golf club get struck by lightning?
A bogey may ruin your golf game for a hole but being struck by lightning will ruin your golf game forever. Our golf professionals can tell you your odds of being struck by lightning on the golf course and how to stay safe from lightning strikes.
Why is it a bad idea to play golf in a storm?
If you are carrying metal golf clubs at the time, it could raise your risk (this is a common reason people are standing out in flat fields during thunderstorms, is to carry golf clubs. Sometimes such people get struck by lightning). The safest place to be during a thunderstorm is a building or a car.
How long after lightning can you golf?
30 minutesDo NOT lie on the ground. Avoid water and find a low-lying open place which is far from trees and metal objects. Don't rush back out onto the course straight away. Wait 30 minutes after the last lightning flash before resuming play, as over half of lightning deaths occur after the storm has passed.
How many golfers have been killed by lightning?
There have been a dozen documented cases of golfers killed by lightning since 2006, officials say. Nine of them were hit as they actively played, while the others were standing under a tree or other unsafe sheltering spot, data shows.
How many golfers get hit by lightning every year?
Since 2006, there have been 12 golf-related lightning fatalities in the nation, including two this year, according to John Jensenius, a lightning safety specialist at the National Lightning Safety Council.
What do you do if you hear thunder on a golf course?
If you see lightning or hear thunder, even in the distance, get off the course immediately. Squalls and thunderstorms bearing lightning move quickly sometimes. Before you know it, they're right on top of you, catching you unprepared. If you see trouble, get off the course instantly.
What is the lightning rule for sports?
To resume athletics activities, lightning safety experts recommend waiting 30 minutes after both the last sound of thunder and after the last flash of lightning is at least six miles away, and moving away from the venue.
What to do if lightning is about to strike you?
Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges, or peaks. Never lie flat on the ground. Crouch down in a ball-like position with your head tucked and hands over your ears so that you are down low with minimal contact with the ground. Never shelter under an isolated tree.
How to stay safe from lightning on golf course?
The first step in staying safe from lightning on the golf course is awareness of weather conditions and expected weather conditions during your round. If you know that thunderstorms are possible, then you know to watch out (and listen out) for trouble.
How to avoid lightning strikes?
Go to large permanent buildings or get into a fully enclosed metal vehicle (car, van or pickup truck). Avoid trees since they attract lightning. Avoid small, on-course shelters: They are intended only for sun and rain safety. Don’t wait around for the next strike, please.".
What is the scariest thing to see on a golf course?
Lightning strike near a golf course - what every golfer fears. Richard Heathcote/Getty Images. Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism. Lightning is one of the scariest and most dangerous things golfers will ever encounter on the golf course.
What does it mean when you hear thunder on a golf course?
If you hear thunder, it means that lightning is within striking distance.
What to do if you are caught on the golf course?
If caught on the course and unable to get off, do not stand under tall trees or sit in a golf cart. Do not stand under a lone tree, even a small one. Do get away from the cart and away from your golf clubs. Stay away from water. If you have metal spikes, take them off.
What does it mean when you have a tingling sensation when you stand up?
This is a scary and incredibly dangerous situation: A tingling sensation, or the hair on your arms standing up, during a lightning storm is a warning of an imminent, nearby strike.
Does lightning kill golfers?
Lightning can be a killer. And, yes, lightning does kill golfers. The number of lightning deaths per year on the golf course is small, but the United States' National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association says that five-percent of all lightning deaths and injuries in the United States happen on golf courses .
How far can lightning strike?
Thunder can be heard from up to 10 miles away, but lightning can strike from 25 MILES AWAY. With the ability to distinguish between a false disturbance and actual lightning, you can trust the alerts are detecting imminent danger in real time.
Is golf a sport that is not necessarily hindered by inclement weather?
Golf is a sport that is not necessarily hindered by inclement weather, and many golfers pride themselves on being “all weather” players. But be aware that lightning and golf do not mix.
