Crazy or Death Wish

[Bosoxfan]

Misses Bosox and I are sitting in our lanai looking over a couple holes on the Longleaf executive golf course watching lightning bolts and listening to thunder. Guess what else we're seeing? People playing golf.Is this a death wish? Do these folks like playing Russian roulette also? Come on. I'm just baffled with the sheer ignorance of people some time. It's an executive course.The most these people pay is 3 bucks. Lets's all pray we don't read about these fools in the obits

[C4Boston]

Can't fix stupid

[Polar Bear]

During the lighting storm, they just need to use a 2-iron for every shot. Cause as every golfer knows...

Not even God can hit a 2-iron. :)

[TheWarriors]

Awe, everyday in the Villages is a risk for everyone here, never know when God’s coming calling ;)

[vintageogauge]

Could be filming a re-make of Caddy Shack.

[Barefoot]

Everyday in the Villages is a risk for everyone here, never know when God’s coming calling True, but golfing in a lightening storm increases the odds that God will be calling soon.

[Bjeanj]

Darwin’s Law

[kcrazorbackfan]

It’s just a matter of time.

[tophcfa]

I was swimming laps in one of the sports pools when I saw a too close for comfort lightning strike and immediately got out of the pool. There were only two of us in the pool, so I went over and told the other gentleman in the pool that it would be a good idea to get out because it wasn't safe. He told me that he was 92 years old and if that is how God wanted to take him then so be it, and he stayed in the pool. I guess that if I am lucky enough to reach the age of 92 I might think the same way? Time will tell.

[Northwoods]

Misses Bosox and I are sitting in our lanai looking over a couple holes on the Longleaf executive golf course watching lightning bolts and listening to thunder. Guess what else we're seeing? People playing golf.Is this a death wish? Do these folks like playing Russian roulette also? Come on. I'm just baffled with the sheer ignorance of people some time. It's an executive course.The most these people pay is 3 bucks. Lets's all pray we don't read about these fools in the obits

Thinning of the herd.

[manaboutown]

Back in the late 1960s I knew well a guy from Rhode Island who told me his father had survived three lightning strikes. The third left his father paralyzed and in a wheelchair until a craps game at which the father was in attendance at the ice house was broken up by the police at which point the father stood up and ran. My friend himself had been struck by lightning in Soho. He showed me the scars on his leg which were quite impressive and told me that he had been unconscious for some time after the strike Perhaps some folks are just more prone. I also knew an old cowhand who was hit by lightning while on horseback near Chama, NM. He was unconscious lying on the ground three days. He was a very tough guy even in his 70s when I knew him. Now these were probably not full hits but peripheral or they each would have been volatilized.

While in college I lifeguarded at a swimming pool which was hit on one end three times. The strikes were all within a six foot radius. I alway got everyone out of the pool when the afternoon thunderstorms arrived during July and August. Some people did not want to get out but I somehow convinced them when I pointed out where the lightning had struck the pool in the past.

[thelegges]

Neither, while most will leave a course at first sight or sound of thunder and lightning. It’s still a personal choice, and only those who chose not to leave, can decide if they are crazy or really might have a death wish.

[rjn5656]

I was playing Bonifay last night when we saw the lightning (it was close), Immediately quit but all those in front of us kept playing.

I can play another day.

[l2ridehd]

Growing up we lived at the convergence of two rivers. The thunderstorms would follow those rivers and stop right over our house. I have seen balls of fire go across the room, had fence posts blown from the ground so close the dirt covered me, was trying to get the cows in and saw one get hit, had a crab apple tree hit while standing under it and have never had so much as a scratch or tingle myself.

I think you get to the point where you become immune to it. I have come so much closer to meeting my maker in airplanes, on highways, on motorcycles, sailing, in Vietnam and in other ways that lighting just doesn't bother me anymore. So I would be one who would just keep playing. Life has been good so if it's time so be it.

[GoPacers]

Growing up we lived at the convergence of two rivers. The thunderstorms would follow those rivers and stop right over our house. I have seen balls of fire go across the room, had fence posts blown from the ground so close the dirt covered me, was trying to get the cows in and saw one get hit, had a crab apple tree hit while standing under it and have never had so much as a scratch or tingle myself.

I think you get to the point where you become immune to it. I have come so much closer to meeting my maker in airplanes, on highways, on motorcycles, sailing, in Vietnam and in other ways that lighting just doesn't bother me anymore. So I would be one who would just keep playing. Life has been good so if it's time so be it.

Bingo:) It's their life and as long as they aren't hurting anyone else I hope they enjoy every minute of it however they want.

[Chi-Town]

Courses I played in Illinois blew the horn if lightning was a factor and off the course you went. No choice. I wonder if a lawsuit looms because of no policy like that here. I can see a personal injury attorney's field day in court.

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[Nucky]

Caddyshack - Bishop golfing - this is the best game of my life - there is no god - YouTube (https://youtu.be/pmm-ZGNCv-8) Whatever! Great Memory.

[NotGolfer]

I've always been amazed at the people still on the golf courses when the sky is black and it's thundering (here...you can bet there's also lightening). As someone said---you can't "fix stupid". Years ago, but up north, there was a couple who sought cover under a kiosk on a golf course AND they both got struck and killed, leaving behind a young family. Guess we'd need a fatality or two before "some" might wise up.

[mamamia54]

My mom is 96 and, unfortunately, in a nursing home. Every time I go there and she tells me something hurts, etc., I tell her don’t worry mom the next time I come I’ll bring a carton of cigarettes and a bottle of Johnny Walker, that will fix everything. She never did smoke or drink but I told her at 96 it might be a good year to start, lol!

[tophcfa]

Courses I played in Illinois blew the horn if lightning was a factor and off the course you went. No choice. I wonder if a lawsuit looms because of no policy like that here. I can see a personal injury attorney's field day in court.

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My understanding is that is why the Villages does not blow a horn, their policy is personal responsibility and play at your own risk. Once the course management takes on the responsibility of determining when it is safe or not to play, they also expose themselves to liability if someone gets struck by lightning and they did not blow the horn.

[OCsun]

During the lighting storm, they just need to use a 2-iron for every shot. Cause as every golfer knows...

Not even God can hit a 2-iron. :)

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I don't think people are considering the correct risk. When you're in your 70's, 80's, and up, the "risk of death" isn't quite as significant as the "risk of permanent disability."

Imagine - you don't die. But instead, you are in a hospital bed, hooked up to machines, unable to speak, but very able to feel pain for the rest of your life - no matter how long or short that might be.

That's the risk these folks need to consider, because there is a very real possibility that being hit by lightning will result in lifelong and painful permanent disability.

[UpNorth]

Graphite shafts. Golf carts with rubber tires. No Problem!:pray:

[DonH57]

During the lighting storm, they just need to use a 2-iron for every shot. Cause as every golfer knows...

Not even God can hit a 2-iron. :)

I thought it was a 1 iron he couldn't hit! Never accuse him of slow play either!

[bagboy]

I thought it was a 1 iron he couldn't hit! Never accuse him of slow play either!

The story in the 60's and 70's was... only God and Jack Nicklaus could hit a 1 iron.

[Two Bills]

Graphite shafts. Golf carts with rubber tires. No Problem!:pray:
Cars fine with lightning, but golf carts and graphite?
I fly fish, but no way am I going to wave a graphite rod in a lightning storm, and as for a golf cart, no way!
I assume you were joking?

[kcrazorbackfan]

Thinning of the herd.

I know it has the same meaning but it's more like culling of the herd.

[Polar Bear]

Okay. Okay. It’s a 1-iron!! :)

But for most of us wannabe golfers, trying to hit a 1-iron or a 2-iron would likely have similar results.

Although maybe God can hit a 2-iron, so I’m glad you made the correction. :)

[mowdie]

Misses Bosox and I are sitting in our lanai looking over a couple holes on the Longleaf executive golf course watching lightning bolts and listening to thunder. Guess what else we're seeing? People playing golf.Is this a death wish? Do these folks like playing Russian roulette also? Come on. I'm just baffled with the sheer ignorance of people some time. It's an executive course.The most these people pay is 3 bucks. Lets's all pray we don't read about these fools in the obits
Sitting on a lanai during lightning could be just as dangerous,

[Bosoxfan]

Sitting on a lanai during lightning could be just as dangerous,

An enclosed lane. We're not outside in the open air. We have a roof over our head.

[geofitz13]

I've always been amazed at the people still on the golf courses when the sky is black and it's thundering (here...you can bet there's also lightening). As someone said---you can't "fix stupid". Years ago, but up north, there was a couple who sought cover under a kiosk on a golf course AND they both got struck and killed, leaving behind a young family. Guess we'd need a fatality or two before "some" might wise up.

Where up north? I used to be a member of Wycoff CC in Holyoke MA. The same thing happened there. Two guys sought "shelter" under a kiosk at the highest point of the course. Of course, lightning struck and both were killed. Not sure how long ago, but seems to me it was about 20 years or so...

[Chatbrat]

a couple of years ago my wife was swimming @ Sea Breeze sports pool-lightning storm sprung up, drove to the pool, threw her bike in the back of my vehicle and got her out of the pool--there were about a dozen people standing in the parking lot around their golf carts- I recommended its not safe to be outdoors when lighting is nearby-one Darwin candidate wrapped his arms around a metal light pole and stated," he's not worried about lightning"

[NotGolfer]

Where up north? I used to be a member of Wycoff CC in Holyoke MA. The same thing happened there. Two guys sought "shelter" under a kiosk at the highest point of the course. Of course, lightning struck and both were killed. Not sure how long ago, but seems to me it was about 20 years or so...

I'm not sure where...they were relatives of friends of ours and we all were living in Central Wisconsin at the time. It would have been the mid-to-late-70's I'd heard this story. SOOO much longer ago than 20 yrs.

[Barefoot]

I know a young man that was struck by lightening on a golf course.
He wasn't killed, but is permanently disabled and unable to work. :ohdear:

[tophcfa]

Where up north? I used to be a member of Wycoff CC in Holyoke MA. The same thing happened there. Two guys sought "shelter" under a kiosk at the highest point of the course. Of course, lightning struck and both were killed. Not sure how long ago, but seems to me it was about 20 years or so...

Played Wycoff CC a couple of weeks ago and I saw the lightning shelter (if you can call it that) you referenced in the above post. I wonder who was the rocket scientist who decided to put it at the highest point of the course? Wycoff is one tough course. Hilly, narrow, many blind shots, very deep rough, postage stamp greens, and just about every lie is uneven. I like to cross over Rt. 91 to the other side of the Connecticut River and play the Ledges in South Hadley, much friendlier track.

[npwalters]

I was swimming laps in one of the sports pools when I saw a too close for comfort lightning strike and immediately got out of the pool. There were only two of us in the pool, so I went over and told the other gentleman in the pool that it would be a good idea to get out because it wasn't safe. He told me that he was 92 years old and if that is how God wanted to take him then so be it, and he stayed in the pool. I guess that if I am lucky enough to reach the age of 92 I might think the same way? Time will tell.

I want to meet that guy. He is my new role model.

[geofitz13]

Played Wycoff CC a couple of weeks ago and I saw the lightning shelter (if you can call it that) you referenced in the above post. I wonder who was the rocket scientist who decided to put it at the highest point of the course? Wycoff is one tough course. Hilly, narrow, many blind shots, very deep rough, postage stamp greens, and just about every lie is uneven. I like to cross over Rt. 91 to the other side of the Connecticut River and play the Ledges in South Hadley, much friendlier track.
Yeah, that is Wycoff. Short course, tough greens, narrow fairways and not a level lie to be found. I was a member there in the late 80's and early 90's, and then again in 2016. Also a member at Cold Spring Country Club in Belchertown for five years. Now that was a quirky course!
BTW, I remember seeing that gazebo at the top of the course the first time I played there when I was 14. It was an original Donald Ross course.

[Velvet]

My neighbor up north is a successful musician with lots of tattoos and many piercings. (He is actually very conservative but it’s an image thing.) He was hit by lightning lightly, walking down the street, just a little burn on the side of his head - has a scar there now and he wears much less metal.

[tophcfa]

Yeah, that is Wycoff. Short course, tough greens, narrow fairways and not a level lie to be found. I was a member there in the late 80's and early 90's, and then again in 2016. Also a member at Cold Spring Country Club in Belchertown for five years. Now that was a quirky course!
BTW, I remember seeing that gazebo at the top of the course the first time I played there when I was 14. It was an original Donald Ross course.

Cold Springs is a nice but quirky course. Kind of off the beating path for me. I hear it is not doing well financially and it's future is in trouble. Also like Chicopee, Westover, Oak Ridge, Southampton, and Tekoya. And if I want to spend the $$, The Ranch or Crumpin Fox. Lots of good options in the area.

[Chi-Town]

My understanding is that is why the Villages does not blow a horn, their policy is personal responsibility and play at your own risk. Once the course management takes on the responsibility of determining when it is safe or not to play, they also expose themselves to liability if someone gets struck by lightning and they did not blow the horn.

Or vice versa. If someone is struck by lightning the question could be why there was not a policy in place. Especially when it is the norm in so many places. BTW, the horn just blew at Medinah, and all the golfers walked off the course.

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[russtcc]

I remember making a list with friends of stupid ways to die. Playing golf in a lightning storm was in the top ten. This was after a round of golf and a close hit! I'm one of those that leaves at the first sign.

[tophcfa]

Or vice versa. If someone is struck by lightning the question could be why there was not a policy in place. Especially when it is the norm in so many places. BTW, the horn just blew at Medinah, and all the golfers walked off the course.

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I am going to go out on a limb and guess that the powers that be in the Villages, who are smart people with lots of money and access to high powered attorneys, have sought out competent legal advise on how to minimize their liability exposure. Especially given that they have built more holes of golf than any other retirement community in the world, all in the lightning capital of the United States. Seems like a reasonable assumption?

[NotGolfer]

Hi-jacking this a bit...thought of another scenario of possible "death wishes". Those who ride the low recombant bikes. They generally have a flag BUT I've observed that those flags don't show up well neither. IF one wants to ride such a bike, they do make ones that are higher!!

BUT I still agree with the original OP re: being out on the courses with lightening going on.

[Jess1980]

Or vice versa. If someone is struck by lightning the question could be why there was not a policy in place. Especially when it is the norm in so many places. BTW, the horn just blew at Medinah, and all the golfers walked off the course.

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There is no statutory duty to have a warning system in place so why would The Villages create a duty and expose themselves to litigation.

Can't imagine the lawsuit, I'm 70 years old and was injured by lightning while playing golf . I heard thunder and kept playing because nobody told me to stop and therefore it's their fault. Good luck with that.

[Chi-Town]

Wow, you survived a lightning strike. Good for you! Too bad there wasn't a horn to get you off the course. Do you have any residual effects from the strike?

From the Diaabled World website:

People who have experienced a lightning strike may also experience longer term issues. The majority of those who have survived a lightning strike experience only some of the symptoms below:

Headaches

Distractibility

Ringing in the ears

Slower reaction time

Issues with multitasking

Difficulties with sleeping

Dizziness or balance issues

Chronic pain from nerve injury

Inattentiveness or forgetfulness

Irritability and personality change

Issues with coding new information/accessing old information


Hopefully, you don't have many, if any, of the after effects. But it's a good reminder to get off a course during lightning for everybody. Thanks for sharing.


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[tophcfa]

Wow, you survived a lightning strike. Good for you! Too bad there wasn't a horn to get you off the course. Do you have any residual effects from the strike?

From the Diaabled World website:

People who have experienced a lightning strike may also experience longer term issues. The majority of those who have survived a lightning strike experience only some of the symptoms below:

Headaches

Distractibility

Ringing in the ears

Slower reaction time

Issues with multitasking

Difficulties with sleeping

Dizziness or balance issues

Chronic pain from nerve injury

Inattentiveness or forgetfulness

Irritability and personality change

Issues with coding new information/accessing old information


Hopefully, you don't have many, if any, of the after effects. But it's a good reminder to get off a course during lightning for everybody. Thanks for sharing.


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Dam, I never got struck by lightning but occasionally have issues with some of the things on the list. I think growing old also causes some of the same effects?

[manaboutown]

It does happen. Six injured after lightning strike at PGA TOUR Championship | Fox News (https://www.foxnews.com/sports/pga-tour-championship-lightning-strike-injures-6)

[Taltarzac725]

It does happen. Six injured after lightning strike at PGA TOUR Championship | Fox News (https://www.foxnews.com/sports/pga-tour-championship-lightning-strike-injures-6)

I saw that on the news tonight. Scary. Acts of God are kind of hard to sue anyone for harm experienced especially if you have been warned many times to stay away from where lightning might strike.

On the issue of the Villages' developers' liability their insurance companies usually have very good attorneys who have a lot of connections to judges and the like. So there is also that. They often come from the same Ivy League law schools or one of the other top tier 14.

[graciegirl]

///

[pacjag]

Every one of those symptoms is also just a sign of aging.

[Barefoot]

Dam, I never got struck by lightning but occasionally have issues with some of the things on the list. I think growing old also causes some of the same effects?:girlneener:

[Number 10 GI]

300 years ago a lot of fools were killed off by wild animals, outlaws, roving bands of angry Indians or standing out in the open during a storm and struck by lightning. Modern society has greatly reduced death by animals, outlaws and roving bands of angry Indians so now we have a larger percentage of fools. Consequently we only have lightning left to help cleanse the gene pool. If an adult needs someone to tell them to get off the golf course during a storm they have only their foolish self to blame if struck by lightning.

[ColdNoMore]

As in a lot of things, some people can't seem to fathom that mitigation efforts to the problem...is far from a simplistic one.

Obviously, dealing with lightning as an individual or small group on the course (or even just being outside)...is much less complicated.

And just as obvious, during a tournament the player's/official's/tourney workers/Etc. have enough inside areas they can go to that are safe...but there certainly aren't enough safe locations to handle the rest of the tens of thousands of spectators left to their own devices.

Given that huge number of spectators, with a dearth of safe inside places out of the weather that are easily/quickly accessible, or even an easy/efficient method to quickly get back to their vehicles...says that the problem isn't nearly as simple as some people would try to convince the more gullible. :ohdear:

I'm not sure what the ultimate answer(s) might be, but I personally believe it's past time for the PGA Tour/USGA/Other...to start discussing some.

Maybe large covered shelters, (whether temporary or permanent)...scattered around the course might be an option?

Or ???.

Someone may come up with a truly unique and effective idea...that would satisfy a plethora of issues (safety/aesthetics/cost-effectiveness/Etc.).

As in some other dangerous public problems though, one thing is for darned sure guaranteed and that being 'thoughts and prayer's'... is NOT the answer to the problem. :oops:

There is one big thing to be thankful for at least in this instance, that being there were no fatalities...THIS time.

I'll also tip my hat to the organizers, given that they could have continued the tournament after the storm passed, but out of respect for those injured...they chose to wait until Sunday to finish the third round. :ho:


PS: Roy put on a display of pure talent...that was truly remarkable. :thumbup:

[Barefoot]

[SIZE="2"]As in a lot of things, some people can't seem to fathom that mitigation efforts to the problem...is far from a simplistic one.

Obviously, dealing with lightning as an individual or small group on the course (or even just being outside)...is much less complicated.

And just as obvious, during a tournament the player's/official's/tourney workers/Etc. have enough inside areas they can go to that are safe...but there certainly aren't enough safe locations to handle the rest of the tens of thousands of spectators left to their own devices.

Given that huge number of spectators, with a dearth of safe inside places out of the weather that are easily/quickly accessible, or even an easy/efficient method to quickly get back to their vehicles...says that the problem isn't nearly as simple as some people would try to convince the more gullible. :ohdear:

I'm not sure what the ultimate answer(s) might be, but I personally believe it's past time for the PGA Tour/USGA/Other...to start discussing some.

Maybe large covered shelters, (whether temporary or permanent)...scattered around the course might be an option?

Or ???.

Someone may come up with a truly unique and effective idea...that would satisfy a plethora of issues (safety/aesthetics/cost-effectiveness/Etc.).

As in some other dangerous public problems though, one thing is for darned sure guaranteed and that being 'thoughts and prayer's'... is NOT the answer to the problem. :oops:

There is one big thing to be thankful for at least in this instance, that being there were no fatalities...THIS time.

I'll also tip my hat to the organizers, given that they could have continued the tournament after the storm passed, but out of respect for those injured...they chose to wait until Sunday to finish the third round. :ho:


PS: Roy put on a display of pure talent...that was truly remarkable. :thumbup: [SIZE]I like your use of smilies, even though it is a grim topic.

[the square]

Probably visitors or short time renters looking to squeeze in every minute of golf time they were promised.