[The Mountaineer]

Why in the world would anyone stay out on the golf course during lightning when you have 14 lightning rods in your golf bag? I'll play in rain when others don't. But never when I see the first lightning flash in the distance. I know you can count the time between lightning and thunder and know approximately how far away it is. But there's always another day to play golf ... unless your 14 lightning rods make you a southern fried shiskabob. Stupidity.

[rubicon]

The fact that a thread is created to even discuss this topic alone speaks volumes

[perrjojo]

1st sign of lightening and my husband is off the course. Many of his team mates think he is over reacting until he tells them about his friend who was struck by lighten while playing. The friend died.

[NYGUY]

You can't fix stupid!!

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by Sandtrap328

Wow, I bet you got a "charge" out of that! You should carry a 2 iron in your bag. Not even God can hit a 2 iron.

Seriously, as soon as I hear thunder, I just say there will be many more days to play golf and I am off the course.

Oh. I thought it was a 1 iron!

[justjim]

OP, I have seen the same thing as you from my (use to be) home on the golf course. Because they have stayed on the course before and never were hit by lightning, golfers don't feel vulnerable. "We were all born ignorant, but we must work hard to remain stupid." Benjamin Franklin

[billethkid]

In a water safety class the best guideline I ever heard in answer to the question how can one tell how far away the lightning is that caused the thunder?

IF YOU CAN HEAR IT....FEAR IT!!

As for the dolts who play when they can hear and see it. They are most likely the same ones that do not fix ball marks on greens or rake sand traps or sand divots. The rules are for others crowd.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by DonH57

Oh. I thought it was a 1 iron!

I thought it was all irons

[charmed59]

The country clubs I'm familiar with in California and Atlanta have sirens if the lightening is close. I now live on a golf course in Charlotte and have heard that siren exactly once. Though we get lightening storms all the time. Do they not have warning sirens on the Village courses?

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by charmed59

The country clubs I'm familiar with in California and Atlanta have sirens if the lightening is close. I now live on a golf course in Charlotte and have heard that siren exactly once. Though we get lightening storms all the time. Do they not have warning sirens on the Village courses?

No. There are no sirens here. Everyone can hear thunder and see lightning. Everyone here is also a big boy and girl, and can decide when and if to leave the course. Those that stay, do so at their own risk. To my knowledge, everyone made it home safely yesterday, despite all the drama and name calling in these posts.

[2BNTV]

"When thunder roars, go indoors". That's the saying of the lightning rod people.

You can always play golf another day.

[kellyjam]

The golfer Lee Trevino has been hit 3 times by lighting. In 1975 at the Western Open Lee and Jerry Heard were sitting on a hill during a play stoppage with an umbrella. The lighting came along the ground and entered through their metal spikes and exited through their backs. Both suffered severe back injuries. Lee was able to come back but it all but ended Jerry Heard's career. It was then Lee came up with his famous quip about God and a 1 iron.

[57ChevyFI]

Maybe becasue its not that dangerous, I bet a google search will reveal more people killed in automobiles than struck by lightning in The Villages. But people still drive or ride in cars.

[Chi-Town]

I have wondered why there are no sirens or warnings to seek shelter during lightning on TV golf courses. I was told that it was a liability issue. That makes no sense, because it would seem that no warning would be more likely grounds for a lawsuit.

[Nucky]

It must be the competitive spirit that keeps them out there. We were in the car during the storm two days ago and observed people lining up their putt when the lightning was reaching the ground. I always thought these stories were exaggerated until my own eyes witnessed it. I'm still learning my way around and have missed my turn two days in a row because of people sitting in chairs at the foot of a pond. I'm in amazement of their actions. My life is enough to live for me so for now I will not pass judgement on those poor soul's. I just hope their life insurance policy is paid in full. My watch is over.