With thousands of golf courses in the U.S. many more Americans are beginning to experience this great sport. With this great rise in popularity comes a rise in golf-related injuries. Most of these injuries are accidents that can be avoided if people understand some of the safety rules to follow while on the golf course.
Lightning
The National Weather Service reports that about 66 deaths from lightning happen every year and at least 5 percent of them happen on the golf course. In order to reduce this number many weather warning systems have been put on courses to warn golfers of this potential danger. The National Lightning Safety Institute says clubhouses should warn golfers of lightning when it is 6 miles away. With inclement weather looming the best thing to do is seek shelter either by going back to the clubhouse, finding a fully enclosed metal vehicle, a dense area of trees or bushes or into a ditch. Most lightning injuries occur when people refuse to seek shelter or when not warned in time. When you hear a weather siren stop play immediately.
Golf Balls
Getting struck by a golf ball when playing is a common concern. If you are using a cart and it has a flip down windshield be sure to keep it up since that can provide some safety if a golf ball is coming at you from that direction. Keep your ears open for people yelling "Fore". If you hear this then cover your head with your arms and get down. Reducing your height gives you less of a chance to get hit. If you hit your golf ball in a different fairway make sure you look to see if there are other golfers hitting your way. You don't want to accidentally walk into a golf ball landing area. Please leave your wireless items at home since using them can distract you form potential danger. To avoid being the person who hits somebody wait till the group ahead of you is well out of your range and yell fore when necessary.
Golf Carts
Even though golf carts are fun they have been the cause for some serious injuries. Most of the time the carts are going too fast and people get thrown off and hurt. Do not go too fast and keep all limbs inside the cart. Stay in cart designated areas like cart paths. Do not make sharp turns or stop and start quickly. The U.S.G.A. has certain rules to abide by to keep the course and yourself safe.
Swings
Most head injuries come from when people are taking practice swings and accidentally hit someone walking by. To avoid this the person swinging should never swing at someone even if it's just for practice. They could catch some dirt and hit it into someone's eye. They should not swing when people are within twenty feet of them. To make sure you don't get hit stay off the tee box or stay in the golf cart when it is someone else who is hitting.
Children
Children can learn to love the game of golf but not before teaching them some safety rules. Monkeysee.com has a good video for kids to learn these lessons. Take extra care when you have kids on the course. Only take them out on designated times for juniors. This way they can spend time with other kids and the velocity of a golf ball struck by a child is less then when hit by an adult. When they are golfing with you do not let them drive the cart, keep them away from people who are swinging and keep them with you. So many times kids wander and get into trouble. When they do it on the course they can get seriously hurt.
