Use Golf Course Lightning Detection For Junior Golfers
Golf Course Lightning Detection
A golf course lightning detection system is one of the most advanced technologies that stands between your course and the dangers of severe weather.
According to the U.S. National Weather Service, there are over 25 million flashes of lightning over the U.S. each year. Annually, these lightning strikes kill an average of 58 people in the U.S. This number is smaller than a lot of other countries because of the advanced lightning detection and warnings systems available to people in the U.S.
Advanced alerting technology is only helpful if you’re using it and respecting every warning. Unfortunately, approximately 5% of these preventable lightning deaths occur on golf courses.
There are a couple of different reasons for this. First of all, golf courses are often flat and open, which creates a dangers lightning plain. Golfers also hold on to metal clubs that can conduct lightning. One of the biggest risks is that golf courses are oftentimes very large and difficult to evacuate quickly. When a storm is approaching, taking action quickly is everything. One last factor that leads to this statistic is that golfers typically shrug off weather dangers while golfing and play at their own risk.
Golf courses and country clubs that use lightning detection systems can protect golfers, offer accountability, and let staff know when it’s safe to resume play.
Why Lightning?
There are a lot of different severe weather conditions that can pose a threat to golfers. So why do we focus so much on lightning? real time lightning tracker is a golf course’s best friend because total lightning data offers advanced information about all different types of weather conditions.
Total lightning is the combination of in-cloud lightning and cloud-to-ground lightning strikes. This combination offers a complete picture of lightning activity in a specified area. What’s more is that in-cloud lightning is oftentimes a precursor to other dangerous weather conditions. Systems that monitor total lightning are able to predict other forms of severe weather like tornadoes, high winds, heavy rains, and hail. Not to mention, when you use a system that relies on a whole network, rather than just a one-off machine, you can monitor storm activity throughout your area, the country, and even the world.
Golf course lightning warnings from audible, visual, and mobile systems demand respect from golfers and staff alike. It is difficult to ignore a horn blasting throughout a golf course. When you decide to implement one of these systems, it’s important that you educate your staff, golfers, and any other visitors to your property so they can identify warnings and know where safe shelters are located.
Extra Protection for Junior Golf Events
Having a golf course lightning detection system is extremely important when it comes to protecting junior golfers.
When you have junior golfers on your course, you have an extra responsibility to take care of them. “Play-at-your-own-risk” policies really don’t make any sense in this case. As a golf course, you have a responsibility to take care of the children that play.
While adult events and golfers can use golf carts (if you have them) most junior events are walking events. Since acting quickly is extremely important when severe weather approaches, this puts junior golfers at an elevated risk. It will take them even longer to get to safety. If you’re not using a lightning detection system, they will be in danger before you see the first strike of lightning.
Learn More
Don’t leave junior golfers out on the course in severe weather. Invest in a total lightning detection system to keep them safe. To learn more about our solutions, please visit our Outdoor Alerting System page for horn options and our Sferic Maps page for visualization options.
