Golf: Safety on the Golf Course
By Michele Blandino
When you think of sports injuries, the natural tendency is to think of contact sports such as football, soccer and even basketball. By comparison, golf is pretty far down the list of sports that are associated with injuries.
Yet, for its relatively gentle nature, golf is a game in which there are hidden dangers that can cause severe injury. While the chances are remote that you will be hurt on the links, there are some freak things that can happen. Here is a look at how you can protect yourself:
Protecting Yourself from the Sun
An 18 hole round of golf can take anywhere from 4 to 6 hours to complete. This means that golfers will spend that time exposed to the sun’s rays. While prolonged exposure to the sun is never healthy, it is particularly dangerous during the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
Of course, the best way to protect yourself is to plan your rounds for the early morning or late afternoon hours, but if you must be out during the peak exposure periods, you should wear a wide-brimmed hat (at least 3 inches all around) and cover all exposed skin with sunscreen. Sunscreen should be reapplied hourly if you are sweating heavily. Sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection should also be worn.
Lightning Strikes
Because golf is typically played in an open field, golfers are particularly vulnerable to lightning strikes. Many golfers put themselves in danger by remaining on the course even when a storm is imminent. To protect yourself, you should remain acutely aware of the weather conditions and head to the clubhouse at the first sign that a storm is brewing. If you don’t think you will make it to the clubhouse in time, seek shelter at a water station or similar structure until the storm passes. Some golfers mistakenly believe they will be safe as long as they remain in their golf cart; this unfortunately is not true. Golfers riding in motorized carts are just as vulnerable to lightning strikes as are those who are walking.
Fore!
As much as it plays out as funny stuff in slapstick comedies, getting hit in the head with a golf ball is no laughing matter. Depending on where you are hit, a flying golf ball can cause anything from a nasty bump to death if you are unfortunate enough to get hit in the temple. To avoid being hit, be sure to stay behind the ball’s flight. If you are a spectator, try to keep track of the ball’s flight from the moment it makes contact with the end of the club. If you think a ball you have hit is headed for someone, yell out the traditional “Fore!” warning. Likewise, if you hear the warning, don’t take the time to look for the approaching ball, simply take cover.
Likewise, golf clubs can, and often do, fly out of the hands of golfers – mostly unintentionally. Staying behind the golfer who is hitting will minimize your chances of being hit.
