what should you do when on a golf course and lightning starts around you?

• Check the forecast and check it often. Seems simple enough but its no longer surprising when golfers are seemingly out of touch with what the daily forecast says.
• Download a reliable radar app. Having a reliable radar with you at all times, equipped with a lighting detection/prediction mode, should be something everyone should have on their phones.
• Seek Shelter Immediately. Scout out the locations for shelter on the golf course prior to your round. ...

What should I do if there is lightning near my golf course?

Check the courses policy on lightning and if they have a lightning detection/prediction system. Many golf courses are now equipped with a lightning detection system that sets off a horn when lightning gets within a certain set distance from the course. Others have both a detection and prediction system.

How long after lightning strikes can you play golf?

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.

Why is a golfer attracted to lightning?

Because 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.

Can a golf course be liable for lightning-related injuries?

Maussner appealed to a higher court. The Superior Court of New Jersey said injuries through acts of God don’t exempt courses from liability. When a golf course takes steps to protect players from lightning strikes, it must implement safety precautions properly.

What to do if there is lightning on a golf course?

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 you get struck by lightning while golfing?

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.

Should you play golf in a thunderstorm?

The rules of golf are straightforward when lightning is a risk. Rule 6-8 makes it quite clear that a player is entitled to discontinue play if he or she believes there is danger from lightning.

What is the best thing to do if you see lightning while you are playing outside?

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. Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter. Immediately get out of and away from ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water.

How many golfers get struck by lightning?

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.

Is it safe to poop during a thunderstorm?

That combined with the methane gas in poop caused the bomb-like effect that traveled through the pipes, exploding the toilet in their master bathroom. The plumbing company said this is just as rare as getting struck by lightning yourself. Luckily, the mess will be covered by insurance.

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.

Where is the best place to be during a lightning storm?

While no place is 100% safe from lightning, some places are much safer than others. The safest location during a thunderstorm is inside a large enclosed structure with plumbing and electrical wiring. These include shopping centers, schools, office buildings, and private residences.

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.

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).

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.

How hot can a golfer get in a lightning strike?

Some facts you might not know about lightning: Air in a lightning strike can be heated up to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

What is the lightning detection system on golf courses?

Many golf courses are now equipped with a lightning detection system that sets off a horn when lightning gets within a certain set distance from the course. Others have both a detection and prediction system.

How to get away from 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. If stranded in the open, go to a low place such as a ravine or valley, or the lowest spot you can find.

When does lightning strike?

Most lightning incidents occur when people are caught outdoors in the summer months during the afternoon and evening (between 2:00-6:00 p.m.).

Can lightning and golf mix?

Lightning and golf do not mix. Taking a chance and hitting a few more shots or going one more hole could prove deadly. As a golf coach and instructor, some may say that I am, on occasion, over cautious.

Is it safe to stay outside during lightning?

No place outside is safe if lightning is in the vicinity. Partially enclosed shelters are not safe. If no safe shelter is available ... stay away from the tallest objects (trees, light poles, flag poles), metal objects (fences or golf clubs), standing pools of water, and fields.". Stay safe this summer, and remember, golf, ...

What to do if you have a lightning problem?

Do NOT seek shelter under a tree. Lightning strikes the tallest objects. If you can, move to the clubhouse or another building near your location to find shelter indoors. Avoid contact with electrical devices and metal.

How long after a lightning flash can you play?

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.

What to do if you are in a golf buggy?

Avoid contact with electrical devices and metal. This means do NOT seek shelter in the golf buggy, don’t touch your golf clubs, umbrella or mobile phone and stay away from metal fencing.

How hot is lightning?

The temperature of lightning reaches 30,000 °C. To put this into context, that’s five times hotter than the surface of the sun. 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.

How many burn spots are there in lightning?

Check for burns – there’ll usually be two burn spots from where the lightning entered and left the body.

How many spectators were injured in the Tour Championship?

Six spectators were injured following two lightning strikes at the Tour Championship in Atlanta, USA. Sadly, this is far from an isolated incident. In 2017, one of our policyholders, 60-year-old Philip Shard, lost his life after being struck by lightning while on the course. Philip was the fifth golfer since 1999 to die on a UK golf course ...

What to do if lightning strikes?

If lightning strikes are flashing, immediately make your way to the clubhouse, pro shop, your vehicle or designated lightning shelters (if any).

What to do if you can't get off a golf course?

If caught on the course and unable to get off, AVOID open high ground and isolated large trees. Do NOT stand under trees.

How many deaths from lightning in a year?

According to ready.gov’s section on “Thunderstorms & Lightning,” lightning continues to be one of the top three storm-related causes of fatality in the U.S, causing 51 deaths on average per year.

Where to go when you are in an open area?

If you are in an open area, go to a low place such as a ravine or valley. Be alert for flash floods, and try to reach the indoors whenever safely possible.

Where to go if you're stranded in the open?

If stranded in the open, go to a low place such as a ravine or valley, or the lowest spot you can find.

Do golf courses have sirens?

Golf courses in areas of frequent thunderstorms may have bad weather procedures (such as sirens) in place to warn golfers. Here are some Do's and Don'ts If Caught On the Golf Course During Lightning Storm:

Is lightning a conductor?

Lightning seeks the path of least resistance on its way to the ground, and the human body is a good conductor due to the body’s large percentage of water. While metal is a better conductor (lightning travels easily—and over long distances—through metal objects such as fences and railroad tracks), if you live in an area with frequent thunderstorms (and enjoy playing golf even in weather), then you are at risk.

When a golf course takes steps to protect players from lightning strikes, it must implement safety precautions properly.?

When a golf course takes steps to protect players from lightning strikes, it must implement safety precautions properly. It added that a jury should decide whether the club did so in the way it posted evacuation notices and monitored dangerous conditions, and if it should have built shelters and provided an audible signal.

Why did the caddie master set off in a cart with the club pro?

At about the same time, the caddie master learned of lightning in the area and set off in a cart with the club pro to get players off the course. For about 40 years, the club had followed an evacuation plan of driving the course to warn players at the first sign of dangerous weather. One of the group’s two caddies suggested going to a nearby house for shelter, but the men decided against it.

Why did Maussner sue Atlantic City Country Club?

Maussner sued the Atlantic City Country Club, claiming it didn’t have proper safety procedures in place to protect patrons from lightning. The bolt that Maussner first spotted had been perhaps 15 miles away, and an expert witness reported that there was technology available at a reasonable price that could detect lightning up to 40 miles away.

Why did Maussner walk across an open field?

The judge noted that Maussner chose to walk across an open field when he could have sought shelter or lain down. Maussner appealed to a higher court. The Superior Court of New Jersey said injuries through acts of God don’t exempt courses from liability.

Who was the caddie that rushed to the clubhouse?

Robert Dusz rushed to the clubhouse, about 300 yards away, while a caddie ran to the nearby police station for help. Meanwhile, McHugh, who had taken first-aid courses, determined that Maussner had no pulse and wasn’t breathing. McHugh also saw that Maussner’s jaw was locked.

Did the country club have signs posted about its evacuation plan?

Maussner further argued that the country club did not have signs posted about its evacuation plan, nor did it begin telling players to seek shelter at neighboring houses until after his accident. If the club had had proper precautions in place, Maussner said, he would not have suffered the injuries.

How to avoid lightning?

Lightning: Lightning Safety Tips 1 Avoid water#N#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. 2 Avoid electronic equipment#N#Do NOT use your computers, laptops, game systems, washers, dryers, stoves, or anything connected to an electrical outlet. Lightning can travel through electrical systems, radio and television reception systems, and any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring. Equip your home with whole-house surge protectors to protect your appliances. 3 Avoid corded phones#N#Corded phones are NOT safe to use during a thunderstorm. Do NOT use them. However, it is safe to use cordless or cellular phones during a storm. 4 Avoid windows, doors, porches, and concrete#N#Do NOT lie on concrete floors during a thunderstorm. Also, avoid leaning on concrete walls. Lightning can travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.

What to do when a thunderstorm hits?

Avoid windows, doors, porches, and concrete. Do NOT lie on concrete floors during a thunderstorm. Also, avoid leaning on concrete walls. Lightning can travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.

Why can't you shower during a thunderstorm?

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. Do NOT use your computers, laptops, game systems, washers, dryers, stoves, or anything connected to an electrical outlet.

What to do if you are caught in an open area?

If you are caught in an open area, act quickly to find adequate shelter. The most important action is to remove yourself from danger. Crouching or getting low to the ground can reduce your chances of being struck, but does not remove you from danger.

How to get out of a pond?

Never shelter under an isolated tree. Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter. Immediately get out of and away from ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water.

What to do when you hear thunder?

Find a safe, enclosed shelter when you hear thunder. Safe shelters include homes, offices, shopping centers, and hard-top vehicles with the windows rolled up. Seek shelter immediately even if caught out in the open. If you are caught in an open area, act quickly to find adequate shelter.

Is it safe to stay indoors during a lightning storm?

Indoor Safety Tips. Even though your home is a safe shelter during a lightning storm, you may still be at risk. About one-third of lightning-strike injuries occur indoors. Here are some tips to keep safe and reduce your risk of being struck by lightning while indoors. Avoid water.

What percentage of lightning deaths happen on golf courses?

Lightning is arbitrary, random and unpredictable. Some five percent of annual USA lightning deaths and injuries happen on golf courses. Everyone associated with the game should participate in lightning safety.

What is the USGA rule for lightning?

Golfers know that the USGA Rules of Golf (Rule 5.7) allow players to discontinue play if they believe there is a danger from lightning.

Where to put lightning stickers?

Place USGA lightning stickers on all operating machinery, pump house, employee bulletin boards, rest room mirrors, and other visible locations.

How to avoid lightning?

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.

Is lightning hazard preventable?

Comply with Duty To Warn issues and avoid a negligent posture. Remember: Lightning incidents may not be preventable, but a best effort defense is a prudent thing to do. Education about the lightning hazard is everyone’s job.

Does the Superintendent of Golf provide lightning safety assistance?

Golf course operations in the Superintendent’s office, the Pro Shop and the Head Office can provide lightning safety assistance too. We suggest the following measures be adopted:

What should officials monitor for lightning?

Officials should monitor weather conditions, weather radar, and lightning detection technology for developing or approaching storms. Below is some information to consider when making a lightning safety plan. In addition, NOAA has developed lightning safety toolkits for organizations and venues to use in making a plan.

Who should not be the lightning monitor?

The lightning monitor should not be the coach, umpire, or referee, because these people will be busy and can’t adequately monitor conditions. The lightning monitor must know the plan’s guidelines and be empowered to assure that the guidelines are followed.

What is the National Weather Service's lightning safety plan?

For organized outdoor activities, the National Weather Service recommends that organizers have a lightning safety plan and follow it without exception. The plan should give clear and specific safety guidelines to eliminate errors in judgment. These guidelines should address the following questions.

How far does lightning extend outward?

In general, a significant lightning threat extends outward from the base of a thunderstorm cloud about 6 to 10 miles. It’s important to account for the time it will take for everyone to get to safety. Here are some criteria that could be used to stop activities.

How many people die from lightning each year?

Based on cases documented by the National Weather Service in recent years, about 30 people are killed by lightning each year and hundreds more are injured, some suffering devastating neurological injuries that persist for the rest of their lives. About two thirds of the deaths are associated with outdoor recreational activities.

How long after a thunderstorm should you wait to go outside?

Because electrical charges can linger in clouds after a thunderstorm has seemingly passed, experts agree that people should wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before resuming outdoor activities.

How far can you see lightning?

In clear air, and especially at night, lightning can be seen from storms more than 10 miles away provided that obstructions don’t limit the view of the thunderstorm. If you hear thunder.

Why is a good lighting plan required for a golf course?

This is why a good lighting plan is required to remove these potential limitations across the golf course itself.

Where is the lighting on a golf course?

If the driving range is a semi-enclosed structure, the Tee Off point can have lighting fixtures placed above the platform roof. This can allow broader areas of the golf field to be illuminated at greater distances.

What is the issue of light pole height and degree angle of light?

The issue of light pole height and degree angle of light is further measured. The topography of the golf course is another issue that requires a fair amount of lighting research. Because of the placement of each light, some areas may be restricted due to their angle.

How many Lux does a golf club have?

At any professional golf club or driving range, you can expect that the lighting will be much brighter. These levels are increased up to 500-800 Lux and allow the golf ball and the golf course details to be exceptionally clear. Expect that this lighting level will be closer to what you see in supermarkets or libraries.

What is the CRI level for golf?

As golf is becoming very popular with a new generation lighting levels allow a specific amount of light to be appealing. For this reason, the level of CRI must be >85 for televised golf tournaments.

Why are flood lights used in golf?

We hear this all too often for backyard lights and lights used to light-up parking lots. When it comes to golfing, large beam angles are meant for short ranges. The light poles that use flood lights are also shorter in height so that lighting uniformity is kept higher. Flood lights have larger angles that distribute the most amount of light depending on the location.

Why is my flood light bright?

If you aren’t paying attention to the beam angle, you can run into all sorts of lighting issues. One such example is using a 15-degree flood light to light-up close range areas. This will result in a bright spot that’s created. Why does this happen? The lower a beam angle happens to be, the longer the distance is required to allow the light to fan-out. You need a wider beam angle to correct this problem.