The rules of golf are straightforward when lightning is a risk. Rule 6-8 makes it quite clear that a player is entitled to discontinue play if he or she believes there is danger from lightning.
How long after lightning can you golf?
Because electrical charges can linger in clouds after a thunderstorm has seemingly passed, experts agree that people should wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before resuming outdoor activities.
What do you do in golf during a thunderstorm?
Seek Shelter Immediately.
Do not stand under tall trees or sit in a golf cart. Do not stand under a lone tree, even a small one. You must get away from your cart and away from your golf clubs quickly. Stay away from water.
Can you get electrocuted playing golf?
Approximately 5 per cent of annual lightning deaths and injuries in the US happen on the golf course, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. Even golf pros have been struck by lightning. Lee Trevino was hit by lightning at the 1975 Western Open and suffered burns to his shoulder.
What is the 30 30 rule for lightning?
Don’t forget the 30-30 rule. After you see lightning, start counting to 30. If you hear thunder before you reach 30, go indoors. Suspend activities for at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder.
Are golf carts safe in lightning?
If a substantial building is not available, enclosed motor vehicles can provide shelter as long as patrons do not touch the metal framework during the thunderstorm (golf carts are not safe vehicles). No place outside is safe if lightning is in the vicinity.
Should you golf in a thunderstorm?
Golf is good for your health — for the exercise, the fresh air and the socialization benefits. … A golf course is an especially dangerous place during a thunderstorm because it has isolated, tall trees and wide-open spaces where golfers can be the tallest target.
What are the odds of being struck by lightning on a golf course?
The odds of being struck by lightning on a golf course is 1:3,000. The odds of becoming a lightning victim in the US is 1:700,000.
How many people get struck by lightning while playing golf?
Since 2006, there have been 12 golf-related lightning fatalities in the nation, including two this year, according to John Jensenius, a lightning safety specialist at the National Lightning Safety Council.
How can you protect yourself from lightning in golf?
How To Stay Safe In A Thunderstorm On The Golf Course
- 1 – Don’t get your golf umbrella out. …
- 2 – Leave your mobile phone in your bag. …
- 3 – Stay away from any water hazards. …
- 4 – Avoid standing under trees. …
- 5 – If all else fails, crouch.
Are you safe from lightning in a car?
Fact: Most cars are safe from lightning, but it is the metal roof and metal sides that protect you, NOT the rubber tires. … When lightning strikes a vehicle, it goes through the metal frame into the ground. Don’t lean on doors during a thunderstorm.
Can you get struck by lightning through a window?
Glass is a good insulator, so it is very unlikely that a window pane would ever be struck directly. But a lightning strike on the roof of a house will travel down through the building through the most conductive route available. … This could also shatter a window if it was close enough.
Can thunder hurt you?
Thunder can’t hurt us, of course, but lightning strikes can be deadly. Lightning deaths average about 50-55 per year in the U.S., based on a 30-year average calculated by NOAA. … Still, lightning strikes are deadly, which is why you should go indoors when you hear thunder.