Golf Course Lightning: 5 Safety Precautions You Should Follow

info@sportlightsupply.com

Fill out the form below for a free lighting design & consultation

golf course lightning how to stay safe

You might not think that golfing is a dangerous sport, yet when it comes to bad weather, you’ll think twice. Lightning isn’t a laughing matter since approaching storms can creep-up on you in minutes. This safety guide may give you an inside look at how this happens and what you can do to protect yourself. You’ll also learn a bit more about what the official golf course rules and policies have to say about lightning. These tips might just save your life!

Why is lightning dangerous on a golf course?

lightning is dangerous on golf courseDepending on where you live, the weather plays a huge role in outdoor safety. Storms that start to form through combing and clashing weather fronts can often be unpredictable. Even sunny and calm days can erupt into unexpected thunderstorms seemingly out of nowhere. This is why golfing can especially be a dangerous position to put yourself in. The reason is simple, as you’re out in the open with very few options to search for safe cover.

The other problem is that a golfing putter or wedge is essentially a lightning rod. This is going to be a magnet for the electrical discharges that begin to form. One of the dangers that most people don’t know is that lightning can occur 10 miles away from approaching storms! The other problem is that lightning can continue even after a storm has passed. Over half of all golf course-related lightning deaths happen after a thunderstorm has passed over.

lightning strike on golf course grassBecause lightning is attracted to standing objects, a golfer is usually the tallest object on the grass. It’s obvious that most lightning comes from a cloud by an electrical build-up and discharges to the ground. It can also travel from could to cloud alternatively. In rare cases, it can travel horizontally from a cloud over 2-3 miles until it reached its target. This is why lightning is so unpredictable and hazardous for golfers.

Golfers struck by lightning statistics

golfers struck by lightning statistics

In a recent survey conducted by the National Lightning Safety Council from 2006-2019, over 29% of fatalities came from golfing. The total number of deaths in the US included over 418 lightning-related deaths in 14 years. Surprisingly, fishing is the most dangerous outdoor sport followed closely by golfing. The stats have noted in recent years that more lightning injuries and deaths have been growing higher.

The number of golfers killed each year in the US now represents 27 golfers per year. With the popularity of golf reaching a younger audience, the age group of fatalities is getting younger. Now the average age is between 20-29 years old as opposed to the average from 10 years ago which was 29-39 years old. Many younger golfers are less aware of weather changes and tend to be less aware of lightning dangers.

How often lightning-related accidents happen more often is mainly in June and July. These are the highest of the year-round incidents. Later at the end of summer in August and September are following closely. In early spring, May is a month to avoid as well. Most of these incidents happen in areas that are close to the Gulf coast in the US where weather changes affect the mid-west more often.

Can you play golf while there is lightning? Is it safe?

Golf courses that install early warning detection systems aren’t as common as you might think. They are expensive and are often reserved for higher-end golf courses where big tournaments are played. Smaller commercial golf courses are using a golf course lightning protection system. It sounds a lot more spectacular but in reality, is a little custom-built shack. It’s outfitted with a roof that collects any lightning and safely grounds the strike.

These shacks are 100% safe since they are very well insulated for absorbing electrical current. There are lightning rods and electrical grounds that help drive the electrical strike deep into the ground. Anyone sitting inside will be able to be safe from getting struck by lightning. Once a storm has passed, golf players can safely make their way back to the clubhouse where they are better protected.

While it’s not recommended to play golf while there is lightning, the recommended waiting time between strikes is 30 minutes. So after any strike has been seen or heard, you need to wait 30 minutes before moving from your location. This precaution is to ensure that any left-over static build-up in the cloud is spent. Then you can quickly return to the clubhouse or drive home.

What are the USGA golf course lightning policy and rules?

According to the USGA, they have some specifics when it comes to lightning and playing on the golf course. There are blurbs about having the right to play the game if there is lightning in rule 6-8. However, it can be difficult to find anything mentioned about safety in their rules and regulations guide. On their official site, they do make the following recommendations for lightning safety.

1. Estimate the distance of the storm

This is a simple observation to determine the distance of an approaching storm based on simple math. As sound travels slower than light, you can estimate the proximity of a storm based on lightning and thunder. By counting at a one-second pace until you hear the thunder, this roughly tells you how many miles away the storm is. A 10-second pause before thunder is heard means that a storm is about two miles away.

2. Keeping the 30/30 rule

This is a very simple rule to follow and makes sense if you aren’t paying attention to the immediate danger it represents. Upon seeing a flash of lightning that takes 30 seconds to hear thunder, you must wait 30 minutes before resuming golf activity. This isn’t always a great rule if there’s a second storm approaching. You may have to wait for a warning siren from your golf course to know it’s time to leave.

3. Tall standing objects should be avoided

There is a golf course myth that denotes avoiding tall trees, but this is very untrue. Anything standing including short trees can be a target as well. Your best bet is to find a safe shelter shack to avoid being struck. If you can make your way safely to the clubhouse, this is a much better plan of action.

4. Lightning never strikes twice myth

No matter how deeply rooted this rumor has been repeated, lightning can repeatedly hit the same spot in special conditions. This is why it’s just not a good idea to seek shelter in a spot that’s been struck by lightning. It could happen again which could be an unlucky proverb for unsuspecting golfers.

What do you do on a golf course during a thunderstorm?

1. Seek shelter

If it’s too late to get to the clubhouse and a storm has swept-in, you’ll have to seek any kind of shelter. If there is the lightning protected hut, you can wait there until the storm passes. Avoid covered golf carts since these won’t provide much protection, they’re also an electrocution danger if they get stuck. Be sure not to hide next to concrete walls that have any overhang, since this is also a lightning danger.

2. Follow the 3 sirens rule

A golf course uses a system of horn blasts to indicate the stop of a round of golf. Normally this is a single long blast of an air horn. In an immediate sense of finishing around right away without question is three shorts siren blasts. Most of the standard golf courses have adapted to this siren rule. In areas where there are last-minute warnings for a lightning storm, these three siren blasts will sound-off.

3. Don’t stand under any trees

avoid standing under trees when there is lightning strike in golf course

Trees are notorious for attracting lightning since they are tall, so standing underneath one is dangerous business. Keep your distance if you’re caught in a lightning storm and try to find a stable structure to take cover within. On a golf course, there are going to be structures that are spaced between each lane. These can offer a golfer some temporary protection rather than trees.

4. Avoid water puddles

Water conducts electricity since it’s an open contact that allows the electrical current to travel through it. If you’re standing in a puddle that is widespread and lightning strikes near to that puddle, you could be zapped! This means that anything in that path of electricity all will share the shock delivered by the lightning. It’s hard if you’re surrounded by pouring rain, so the best hope is that you find a dry spot where you aren’t at risk.

5. Never use an umbrella

The parts of an umbrella are made of metal and can transmit electricity if it gets struck by lightning. If you’re using one in a storm where there’s lightning, you’re asking for trouble already. Don’t risk being a target by holding a handheld lightning rod or you might end-up being fried to death. Even though you may end up getting wet, seeking safety in the rain while there is lightning is too risky with an umbrella.

Golf course lightning FAQ

1. Are golf carts safe from lightning?

The last thing you want to be driving in a lightning storm is a golf cart. No insulation can protect you from the sudden strike of lightning. Golf carts don’t travel especially fast which makes them more impractical than running or walking. If there’s rain, this will make it more slippery for a golf card anyway. You don’t want to have the cart slip off the course and crash.

2. What is the meaning of the golf course lightning siren?

Any standard golf course uses a system of siren horn blasts to tell players to end a round of golf. There is a long blast that is letting people know they need to end their round shortly. Then there is an immediate warning with three shorter blasts. This lets people know they need to end their round for immediate dangers such as lightning storms or similar events.

3. How can you tell how close a storm is on a golf course?

There is a certain number of tell-tale signs that help you can estimate how close a thunderstorm is to a golf course. The first is the number of times lightning occurs and the proximity of how far away the storm is. Counting between the initial lightning flash until you hear the thunder tells the distance. In reality, it takes 10 seconds for sound to travel 2 miles.

4. How often do golfers get hit by lightning?

The growing number of fatalities that are from lightning strikes is a growing problem in the US. Every year certain months are riskier for golfing due to the weather patterns. In the Midwest, where lightning storms can be unpredictable, golf courses need to provide special shelters. They must also announce a 3-siren warning that lets golfers have enough time to finish a course.

5. Is it safe to play golf in lightning conditions?

According to the golfing rules in 6 through 8, the golfer has the opportunity to finish their game at their own risk. They may also discontinue if they feel there is danger involved. This is where many golf courses have special waivers that don’t leave them at fault in case of wrongful death. This is possibly where the expression of play at your own risk’ comes from. But to be fair to players, each official golf course must supply safety zones for lightning.

Our Conclusion

Golf course safety shouldn’t be a throwback to the caveman days. When it’s raining and there’s lightning, you need to get off the course as soon as possible. But understandably this might not be so easy in a sudden downpour. Always keep a note of where the lightning safety areas are located at your golf course. These could be your first and last chance for safety against lightning on the golf course.

Sharing is caring

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on whatsapp
WhatsApp
Share on telegram
Telegram
Share on tumblr
Tumblr
Share on skype
Skype
Share on reddit
Reddit

See more golf course and driving range lighting knowledge

See more sports lighting knowledge

error: Content is protected !!