how many lightning deaths on golf course

How many golfers die from lightning strikes each year?

Report on lighting deaths in the United States from 2006 through 2016 also reveals that golf has one of the highest incidences of lightning strike which was responsible for the deaths of 9 golfers from 2006 to 2016.

How to stay safe from lightning on the golf course?

Always be aware of changing weather conditions and sky conditions on the golf course; be alert for thunder and for lightning. 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.

How many people have been killed by lightning in 2020?

National Weather Service Lightning Fatalities in 2020: 17 (no 2021 fatalities to date) ...

How did a golfer die on the course?

In Canada, a golfer died on the course after his cart hit a retaining wall and tumbled 20 feet to the road below. The death was ruled accidental, though the coroner noted that the man's blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit. 7.)

How many people have died from lightning on a golf course?

He died at the golf course. John Jensenius, a lightning safety specialist at the National Lightning Safety Council, said there have been 12 golf-related lightning fatalities in the U.S. since 2006.

What are the chances of getting struck by lightning on a golf course?

The odds of being struck by lightning on a golf course is 1:3,000. The odds of becoming a lightning victim in the US is 1:700,000. Lightning can kill people or cause cardiac arrest, severe burns, permanent brain damage, memory loss, and personality changes.

Do golfers get struck by lightning?

From 2006 through 2019, 418 people were struck and killed by lightning in the United States. Almost two thirds of the deaths occurred to people who had been enjoying outdoor leisure activities. The common belief that golfers are responsible for the greatest number of lightning deaths was shown to be a myth.

Is lightning attracted to golf clubs?

MYTH: Wearing jewelry, wearing shoes with metal cleats or carrying metal objects such as tripods, golf clubs and umbrellas will attract lightning and make me more susceptible to a strike. TRUTH: For all intents and purposes, nothing 'attracts' lightning.

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.

Where do most lightning deaths occur?

Florida, Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have the most lightning deaths and injuries. Florida is considered the “lightning capital” of the country, with more than 2,000 lightning injuries over the past 50 years.

What do you do if you are caught in a thunderstorm on a golf course?

If you are caught on the course and there is no shelter near, consider the following tips:Do not stand under tall trees or sit in a golf cart. ... You must get away from your cart and away from your golf clubs quickly.Stay away from water.If you are old-school and have metal spikes on, take them off.More items...•

Can you get electrocuted playing golf?

Approximately 5 per cent of annual lightning deaths and injuries in the US happen on the golf course, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. Even golf pros have been struck by lightning. Lee Trevino was hit by lightning at the 1975 Western Open and suffered burns to his shoulder.

Has anyone ever died from lightning in a pool?

Lightning can also travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring." So it sounds plausible that it could happen to you. But according to Aquatic Safety Research Group, "There are no documented reports of fatal lightning strikes at indoor swimming pools. None!

How often do golfers get hit 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.

Is it safe to play golf in a thunderstorm?

And in a typical year, lightning kills more people than tornadoes or hurricanes. A golf course is an especially dangerous place during a thunderstorm because it has isolated, tall trees and wide-open spaces where golfers can be the tallest target.

Will an umbrella protect you from lightning?

You'll Be Struck by Lightning If You Carry an Umbrella (or a BlackBerry) in a Storm. News flash: Metal doesn't attract lightning. Even a lightning rod doesn't—it can only conduct lightning, should a bolt happen to strike nearby.

Who were the golfers who were struck by lightning?

That’s when five professional golfers were struck: Jim Ahern, Jerry Heard, Tony Jacklin, Bobby Nichols and Lee Trevino, They were lucky to survive, though in some cases the injuries were career threatening if not career ending. Today, most golf courses are equipped with lightning detection or early warning predictive technology ...

How many people are injured by lightning?

Worldwide, about 250,000 people are injured annually from lightning; one tenth of them fatally. Countries with poorly developed shelters, metal-roofed housing and primarily agricultural are far more vulnerable. Outdoor exposure increases susceptibility, with golf, fishing and hunting among the most exposed activities.

How far away is lightning detection?

As explained by company Sun Belt Golf president John Cannon, all eleven sites have comprehensive lightning detection and prediction technology covering areas that range from eight to ten miles away. The variance depends upon site size as well as local topography. “It’s an automated warning system,” says Cannon.

Who said "I'm not worried about lightning"?

Back at the Robert Trent Jones Trail, Cannon recalls an incident with a golfer who was determined to head back out onto the course to complete his round despite the absence of an all-clear. “I’m not worried about lightning ” he told Cannon . “I’ve already been hit three times.”.

Does Sun Belt Golf offer rain checks?

If they don't get to complete their rounds that day because of lingering storms, Sun Belt Golf offers all golfers rain check on the unused proportion of the round left unplayed. They can also trade that in for pro shop credit. Of course some people just don’t care.

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 happened to Bobby Nichols?

Lightning has struck during professional golf tournaments many times, most infamously at the 1975 Western Open. It was there that Lee Trevino, Jerry Heard and Bobby Nichols were struck by lightning, knocked unconscious. All suffered burns and the strikes caused Trevino and Heard back injuries that required surgery.

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.

How far away is thunder?

It is recommended that you seek shelter if the time between the lightning flash and the rumble of thunder is 30 seconds or less (6 miles).

How many lightning incidents have occurred in golf courses in 2018?

So far in 2018, there have been four major golf course lightning incidents in North America alone. Let’s go over these incidents, what went wrong, and how you can prevent similar tragedies from occurring at your golf course.

Where was the first golf course lightning incident?

The first golf course lightning incident this year occurred at Sunbrook Golf Club in St. George, Utah. Sunbrook is a Golf Digest twice rated best golf course in Utah and is full of a variety of hazards that challenge golfers to play their best game. But on February 26, 2018, a golfer there was challenged in a new and frightening way.

Where did the lightning strike in 2018?

The third serious lightning incident at a golf course in 2018 happened in Iowa. It was a sunny July afternoon at Twin Anchors Golf Course in Colo when lightning suddenly struck and injured two people in the parking lot.

Where did the second lightning strike happen?

The second golf course lightning incident of 2018 occurred in Neepawa, Canada. Lightning struck a man at Neepawa Golf and Country Club on May 31, 2018. Storms were rolling in and the crew was about to call everyone off of the course when tragedy struck.

Is golf course lightning a year?

So far, 2018 has a been a crazy year for golf course lightning incidents. In fact, it’s been an active year for severe weather all around . North America has seen its share of damaging and deadly weather events from thunderstorms to hurricanes.

National Weather Service Lightning Fatalities in 2021: 10

Last Updated: 9/8/2021. This page is updated when new information is received and reviewed for completeness.

2021 Lightning Fatalities by State

Last Updated: 9/8/2021. This page is updated when new information is received and reviewed for completeness.

Where to avoid lightning on golf course?

Since there is a risk of lightning on every golf course, it is extremely important to follow the basic lightning protection measures, most importantly seek safe shelter such as the clubhouse, avoid standing in the middle of fairway, near a metal pole or a tree.

What percentage of golf injuries are caused by low back injuries?

A study by the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences on golf-related injuries found that low back injuries account for 15.2% to 34% of all golf injuries, followed by injuries to the elbow (7% to 27%) and shoulder (4% to 19%). According to an Australian study of upper limb injuries in golf, injury to the wrist accounts for 10% of all golf injuries.

How many golfers seek emergency care each year?

According to a study by Golf Digest, each year an estimated 40,000 golfers seek emergency treatment due to injuries caused by errant golf balls and flying club heads. High risk of severe injuries is also associated with the use of golf carts.

Is golf a high risk sport?

“Results of the research analysing the risk of injuries per sport, and in particular golf, reveal that the risk is much higher than commonly thought. If we can trust the statistics, more people are injured while playing golf, badminton, tennis, fishing and even bowling, to mention just a few leisure sports included, than by playing rugby, hockey and similar team sports that are generally regarded to be injury high-risk.

Can golf injuries be fatal?

Golf-Related Injuries Can be Very Severe and Even Potentially Fatal. Photo credit: sattahipbeach/Shutterstock. In addition to being much more common than anticipated, golf injuries have also been found to be very dangerous and even potentially fatal, especially those involving the head.

Is golf more common than most people think?

To truly benefit from playing the game, however, it is of utmost importance to not to underestimate the risk of injury which – as GolfSupport has found – is much more common and potentially more severe than most people think.

Is golf good for health?

The benefits of playing golf outweigh the risks associated and virtually all studies investigating the relationship between golf and health conclude that it has a positive effect on both physical and mental health and even helps increase longevity. To truly benefit from playing the game, however, it is of utmost importance to not ...

How did the second golfer die?

Another died when his driver broke during a swing and part of the shaft pierced an artery in his groin, causing him to bleed to death. 5.)

What happened to a man who left a country club with a headache?

2.) A man left a Virginia country club with a headache, which was compounded by fever, nausea and a rash. Four days later, he was in the hospital covered with blisters and died from a severe allergic reaction to a pesticide used on the course. 3.)

How did a teenager die from drinking from a water cooler?

In another toxic incident, a teenager from Arizona died after drinking from a golf-course water cooler. He contracted a norovirus from water that was contaminated. 4.) After a poor shot on a New York golf course, a teenager slammed his 3-wood against a bench. The club snapped, and a piece was propelled back toward him and pierced his heart.

How deep was the hole in the middle of the fairway?

The water-filled hole was about 15-feet deep and five-feet wide and was said to be caused by a runoff that made the turf collapse. 8.)

What disease did the man in Ireland die from?

The man finished his round despite suffering the bite. He died two weeks later from kidney failure, a symptom of Weil's disease, which is carried by rats. 2.)