On 17 February a 27-year-old man was hit by a golf ball on a golf course in New Zealand. The incident proved fatal as the man died shortly thereafter. There are various dangers lurking at every golf course. Be aware of these dangers and your responsibility as a club member to ensure the enforcement of safety standards. This article refers to several situations you should be aware of.
Some claim that personal safety on the golf course is simply using common sense. When you are preparing to do your shot make sure that you are aware where other people are. It includes the players in your group, other players in the vicinity, and also other people moving around on the course, like employees. A golf ball is a missile traveling at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. You want to avoid injury to anybody. Make sure that the players in your group stand well clear of you when you play your shot. Should your ball unexpectedly veer towards any person shout the warning “Fore” to alert them. The same applies when others are playing their shots. Be aware what is happening around you. Golf is played in all types of weather, so wearing a hat, and using sunscreen are vital. Drink plenty of water on hot, humid days.
The wide open space of the course is not a safe place when a storm gathers and lightning strikes. Golf is one of the top outdoor activities where people get struck by lightning. A golf cart is not secure as a refuge. A motor vehicle made of metal with four rubber wheels isolates cars when a flash comes down. Carts provide little protection. They are open with plastic roofs. Proper shelter should be sought the moment signs of a brewing storm becomes evident. Technology can be of considerable help. Apps available on your mobile give ample warning when conditions become risky. Your car is a safe place to take shelter.
The golf cart is another source of peril requiring your concern. Horseplay or unsafe operation can result in injuries and/or death. Obey the rules and keep to designated areas for your own safety. Examples of the rules that apply are restricting passengers to two at a time, not standing on the back, and no alcohol and drugs for drivers. Keep all parts of your body within the cart especially the feet.
The last aspect to heed is safety during the maintenance of the course. Al clubs have workshops to perform essential maintenance and store dangerous materials. As a member of your club, you have a liability to make sure that safety measures are in place. Many of them flow from legislation applicable to all working environments. Proper signage, handling hazardous materials, repairs to heavy equipment, and training all require attention to ensure safety. As a club member, you should know the location of fire extinguishers and first aid kits and have access to emergency numbers. Recording of issues relating to safety is a legal requirement in most countries.
Safety on the course is a team effort!
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