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Very little is actually mentioned in regards to golf safety despite the fact that a relatively hard and difficult to spot golf ball is being hit at blistering speeds across a field. Although most people are familiar with the classic golfing phrase “FORE!”, there are many other factors on a golf course that sparks cause for concern in regards to golf safety.
Physical Injury
Back injury
Back injuries can occur in many situations, especially when you carry an object for an extended length of time. Although a golf set is often design to be carried around (as many golfers do), there is growing concern from a number of professional fitness coaches that carrying your golf clubs on your back can lead to poor body alignment and strain injuries. What is recommended however, is to choose a golf set with a well designed and padded, double strapped golf bag, or to make use of a golf trolley. The latter effectively reducing the effort needed to repeatedly lift, carry and lower your golf bag at every shot.
Stray golf balls
Stray golf balls occur on a regular basis, whether it’s through somebody accidentally shanking it or even the design of the golf course itself (blind greens). Some golf courses have even taken to introducing a traffic light system on blind holes where the green is not visible from the point of tee-off, a system that has proven to be highly beneficial to safety. One of the most worrying hazards on the golf course however are those that are un-informed in respect to golf and/or golf course etiquette. To avoid falling victim to a stray golf ball (which has the potential to prove fatal) you should:
~ Stay vigilant at all times
~ Do not cross the fairway while others are playing. Stay to the paths
~ Be aware of fellow golfers
~ Listen out and be prepared to respond to hearing “FORE!”
Golf clubs
When a golfer is preparing to hit a ball, be aware of the movement of the golf club. This movement is particularly threatening to those stood behind the golfer. When drawing a club back, it is not unusual for the shaft to reach the face/teeth height of the person stood behind, it is therefore paramount that preventative actions should be taken to avoid injury:
~ Be aware of the movements of other golfers.
~ Avoid standing too close to the golfer i.e. give enough room for the golfer to make a full swing unhindered.
~ If you are the one teeing off, be sure to check behind you before initiating the swing.
Golf Carts
Golf carts can be seen as somewhat of a privilege to the average golfer. However a golf cart in the wrong hands has ‘accident’ written all over it, what with having the reputation of being relatively easy to roll and lose control of. To safely operate these machines you must follow the regulations imposed by your local club, however as a general guide:
~ Drive as you would on a public highway.
~ Don’t drive intoxicated.
~ Don’t overload the cart.
~ Use hand signals to indicate your intent (i.e. when turning).
~ Avoid sharp cornering.
~ Don’t drive at excessive speeds.
~ Give way to pedestrians.
The Weather
Sun
The weather is also an essential safety factor to account for when golfing. Due to the nature of the game, there is often very little cover and shade on a golf course. As a result, sun burn and sun stroke are real risks and should be combated through the use of:
~ Sun cream (> factor 30).
~ The consumption of plenty of water.
~ Appropriate summer clothing (hat, visor, sunglasses etc).
Storms
In times of storms, golf courses are particularly dangerous places to be, especially where lightning is concerned. Although it is bad enough that golfers appear out in an open area, the use of metal clubs has the potential to act as a lightning conductor. If a thunderstorm does present itself and your golf club sounds the alarm, the best options are to:
~ Seek shelter (not under a lone tree).
~ If you cannot reach shelter head for a low area (ditch, valley etc).
~ Keep away from metal clubs.
~ Stay away from water.
~ If you feel a ‘tingling’ sensation crouch down as low as you can to the floor.
Although seen as a relatively slow paced and sedate sport, golf does have a number of potential life threatening dangers that present themselves on a regular basis. To combat these dangers, preventative measures should be initiated. Although the majority of these preventative measures are very ‘common sense’ orientated, it’s still worthwhile being reminded what the dangers are.
Physical Injury
Back injury
Back injuries can occur in many situations, especially when you carry an object for an extended length of time. Although a golf set is often design to be carried around (as many golfers do), there is growing concern from a number of professional fitness coaches that carrying your golf clubs on your back can lead to poor body alignment and strain injuries. What is recommended however, is to choose a golf set with a well designed and padded, double strapped golf bag, or to make use of a golf trolley. The latter effectively reducing the effort needed to repeatedly lift, carry and lower your golf bag at every shot.
Stray golf balls
Stray golf balls occur on a regular basis, whether it’s through somebody accidentally shanking it or even the design of the golf course itself (blind greens). Some golf courses have even taken to introducing a traffic light system on blind holes where the green is not visible from the point of tee-off, a system that has proven to be highly beneficial to safety. One of the most worrying hazards on the golf course however are those that are un-informed in respect to golf and/or golf course etiquette. To avoid falling victim to a stray golf ball (which has the potential to prove fatal) you should:
~ Stay vigilant at all times
~ Do not cross the fairway while others are playing. Stay to the paths
~ Be aware of fellow golfers
~ Listen out and be prepared to respond to hearing “FORE!”
Golf clubs
When a golfer is preparing to hit a ball, be aware of the movement of the golf club. This movement is particularly threatening to those stood behind the golfer. When drawing a club back, it is not unusual for the shaft to reach the face/teeth height of the person stood behind, it is therefore paramount that preventative actions should be taken to avoid injury:
~ Be aware of the movements of other golfers.
~ Avoid standing too close to the golfer i.e. give enough room for the golfer to make a full swing unhindered.
~ If you are the one teeing off, be sure to check behind you before initiating the swing.
Golf Carts
Golf carts can be seen as somewhat of a privilege to the average golfer. However a golf cart in the wrong hands has ‘accident’ written all over it, what with having the reputation of being relatively easy to roll and lose control of. To safely operate these machines you must follow the regulations imposed by your local club, however as a general guide:
~ Drive as you would on a public highway.
~ Don’t drive intoxicated.
~ Don’t overload the cart.
~ Use hand signals to indicate your intent (i.e. when turning).
~ Avoid sharp cornering.
~ Don’t drive at excessive speeds.
~ Give way to pedestrians.
The Weather
Sun
The weather is also an essential safety factor to account for when golfing. Due to the nature of the game, there is often very little cover and shade on a golf course. As a result, sun burn and sun stroke are real risks and should be combated through the use of:
~ Sun cream (> factor 30).
~ The consumption of plenty of water.
~ Appropriate summer clothing (hat, visor, sunglasses etc).
Storms
In times of storms, golf courses are particularly dangerous places to be, especially where lightning is concerned. Although it is bad enough that golfers appear out in an open area, the use of metal clubs has the potential to act as a lightning conductor. If a thunderstorm does present itself and your golf club sounds the alarm, the best options are to:
~ Seek shelter (not under a lone tree).
~ If you cannot reach shelter head for a low area (ditch, valley etc).
~ Keep away from metal clubs.
~ Stay away from water.
~ If you feel a ‘tingling’ sensation crouch down as low as you can to the floor.
Although seen as a relatively slow paced and sedate sport, golf does have a number of potential life threatening dangers that present themselves on a regular basis. To combat these dangers, preventative measures should be initiated. Although the majority of these preventative measures are very ‘common sense’ orientated, it’s still worthwhile being reminded what the dangers are.
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References
http://www.safety.com/articles/safety-golf-course
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