OK, if you are going to play golf, or join someone who plays golf..well…Now that I think about it…if you are anywhere around a golfer on a golf course or driving range while they are playing,… here are some safety guidelines you need to know.
First of all, Golf is a very safe game. So let’s take a look at some common-sense rules of safety to follow.
Who is at Fault When an Accident Occurs on a Golf Course?
Just Remember, When these rules are ignored, injuries will occur.
Golf involves the swinging of a golf club, which propel golf balls at very high speeds.
Being in the path of either the club or the ball places you in danger.
You could also be placing yourself in danger if you do not respect the power of the sun, the danger of lightning, or your body’s need for the right kind of fluids on hot days.
Here are some guidelines that will help ensure your safety, and those around you on the golf course
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
When a golf club is in your hands and you are preparing to swing, it is your responsibility to make sure your playing partners are a safe distance away from you.
Never swing a golf club when another golfer is close to you.
That’s the most important thing to remember. And be a little extra cautious on practice swings, when it’s easy for golfers to let their guard down.
Extra vigilance is also needed when junior golfers are part of your group.
Also, look ahead of you, and to the left and right of the area where you are aiming your shot.
Don’t hit your ball until you are confident every golfer ahead is out of your range.
Stay Alert
It is the responsibility of every golfer to be sure it is safe for all players in their group to take their stroke. You can’t always rely on every golfer to do just that.
So even when it’s not your turn to hit, stay aware of your surroundings.
Errant Shots
Keep your eyes open if you have to venture into an adjoining fairway to retrieve or play an errant shot, or if you are close to an adjoining fairway and golfers on that hole are hitting toward you.
And always keep a safe distance from golfers in your own group when they are preparing to play a stroke.
When to Yell Fore-Cover Up if You Hear Fore Yelled
Even if you follow the advice above, there will surely come times when you hit your drive farther than you expected, or a hook or slice comes out of nowhere and takes your ball toward an adjoining fairway.
Or when you play your stroke believing the fairway ahead is clear … only to notice players up ahead who had been obscured by a hill or trees.
That would be the time to: Yell “Fore!” as loud as you can.
That is the international word of warning in golf. It lets golfers playing near you know that a golf ball might be heading their way, and they need to take cover.
What should you do when you hear “fore!” being yelled in your direction? Well, do not stand up, crane your neck, and try to spot the ball! You’re just making yourself a bigger target.
Instead, cover-up. Crouch behind your golf bag, get behind a tree, hide behind the cart, cover your head with your arms. Make yourself a smaller target, and protect your head.
Do Not Hit into the Group Ahead of Yours
This should go without saying, shouldn’t it?
What we’re talking about are those occasions when a very slow group is ahead of yours, and frustration takes over.
It happens to all of us. Someone in your group gets angry, and next thing you know, they’re teeing up a ball and intentionally hitting into the slow-playing group ahead.
If you’re ever tempted to do this … don’t. It’s very rare, but golfers have been killed after being struck by golf balls.
Injuries do occur.
Instead of taking aim at someone in anger, take a deep breath.
Remind yourself that you’re playing golf, a great game, and enjoy the camaraderie with your buddies.
If you feel you need to take action…If you spot a course marshall, flag him down and ask if he can help speed up play. Don’t take the risk of hurting someone ahead.
Beware Lightning
Lightning is a killer!!! During a thunderstorm golfers carrying metal clubs in their hands while on exposed land are at great risk.
If there is lightning anywhere around the golf course, or thunderstorms approaching, take cover.
At the very first sign of lightning, head for the clubhouse.
If you are caught out on the course and unable to get to the clubhouse, do not seek cover under trees.
Trees are lightning rods.
Instead, look for a designated lightning shelter (found on many courses in areas where lightning occurs with great frequency) or a concrete or stone bathroom.
Open-walled structures will not protect you from lightning, even if they have a lightning rod or are designated as lightning shelters.
If caught out in the open and unable to find shelter, get away from your clubs, your golf cart, water and trees, and remove metal spikes if wearing them (jest there are still some people who still steel spikes).
If in a group, group members should remain at least 15 feet apart. If you feel a tingling sensation or the hair on your arms stands up, crouch in a baseball catcher’s position, balancing on the balls of your feet. Fold your arms in front of your knees, keep your feet together and your head forward.
Drive Safely
Driving a golf cart along the course’s cart paths isn’t a difficult thing to do.
But still:
- Don’t hang your feet out of the cart while it’s in motion;
- Don’t go off-roading over bumpy terrain;
- Don’t drive at full speed around curves or down steep hills.
- Don’t let small children drive the cart.
- Don’t drive the cart if you’ve had a few too many beers.
- And watch out for other golf carts at points where paths cross.
Protect Yourself from the Sun
Use to be a typical round of golf means four hours of exposure to the harsh effects of the sun. Nowadays, it could take 6 hours to play 18 holes.
Even more when you factor in time on the practice putting green or driving range.
In short, golfers have a large exposure to the potentially dangerous effects of the sun. Protect your skin by always using a strong sunscreen.
Also, wear a wide-brimmed cap to keep the sun off your face. Better yet, get yourself a straw hat or other full-brimmed hat that will also help keep the sun off the back of your neck.
Stay Hydrated
If you’re playing golf under the sun on a hot day, you’ll be sweating off a lot of body fluids.
Even if the sun is nowhere to be seen, and it’s a cool day, you’ll be working up a thirst.
Quench that thirst the right way. Drink plenty of water. If you buy a beverage, make it a sports drink such as Gatorade.
Of course, there are those golfers who play simply as an excuse to drink beer. That is the worst thing to do. It’s important to avoid drink beer. Have a cold one after the round on hot days.
Alcohol, along with the sun, dehydrates the human body. And we all know about alcohol’s disorienting effect on people. The odds of an accident occurring go way up with each beer.
Enjoy Nature – Don’t Partake in it!!
Yes, the baby deer is cute, but stay away from it. There is a Mama Deer watching…and they don’t take lightly to you wanting to be friendly.
That goes for snakes, gators and ..yes here in Texas… Ferrel Hogs!!
Even Wild Turkeys can cause injury. Don’t get me started on squirrels.
The best advice for when playing on golf courses on the edge of wilderness is to just enjoy the view and do not feed or pet the animals.
All of these safety guidelines should get you through your round of golf.
Let me know how I can help.
