5 Reasons Smart Courses Are Switching To Lightning Detection

Aug 09, 2017

Trend: Switching to Lightning Detection

Switching to lightning detection systems is the new standard of safety in the golf management industry. But why are golf courses and country clubs switching?

5 Reasons Why Smart Courses Are Switching to Lightning Detection

1. Technology Has Evolved

30 years ago, the only severe weather safety tool available to golf course management was lightning prediction systems. However, over the past few decades technology evolved rapidly. New tools emerged with smarter, safer capabilities. This is a great thing for the industry and severe weather safety in general, as long as management takes advantage of it.

We’ve seen over 35 courses switch from a lightning prediction system to our lightning detection system. This is for a few different reasons, but mainly because detection systems are based on meteorological science and actual forecasts and observances.

2. They Are Reliable

The second reason courses are switching is because lightning detection systems are more reliable than lightning prediction systems. Many courses that already use a lightning prediction system lose faith in the system. This happens when they hear thunder and see lightning, but the horn does not sound.

Prediction systems do not actually detect lightning strikes. Instead, they base alerts off electrostatic discharges in the air. While lightning is often one of those charges, other things can set the alerts off as well. Sometimes nearby electrical equipment can trigger a false alarm. On the other hand, the location of the system can block certain areas and cause the alarm not to sound.

When it comes to protecting golfers, caddies, and other individuals on the course, the most reliable system is necessary.

3. They Provide More Information

While a lightning prediction system only shows electrostatic discharges, a comprehensive lightning detection system offers a lot more information. Golf courses and country clubs are beginning to realize that weather conditions other than lightning are important for safety and operations. For example, understanding the rain forecast can help facilities save money and water by halting their irrigation systems when a storm is on the way. On the other hand, knowing wind gusts are coming is important information for setting up outdoor umbrellas and other possibly dangerous equipment outdoors.

Weather detection systems connecting to a network of weather sensors provide more accurate storm alerts, weather forecasts, and more. It’s just a greater value than prediction systems.

4. You Can Show Members Why They Are Off the Course

A big problem that you may have run into using a severe weather alert system is explaining to members why you took them off of the course. A lot of the times, blue skies can turn to sudden thunderstorms quickly. However, if those thunderstorms never form, members tend to get agitated. You interrupted their golf game for no reason. How could you do that?

With a lightning detection network, you can gain access to weather visualization and actually show members why they are off the course. Being able to display radar information where your facility is backs your decision-making and shows golfers that you are investing in their safety, which can lead to more members for your club down the road.

5. Comprehensive Tools Offer Better Communication

The last reason why golf courses are switching to lightning detection systems is that it serves for better communication. Since most networked lightning detection systems offer a lot more information than prediction tools, you can communicate more important weather information to not only members but different areas of operations as well.

Food and beverage, event planning, tennis, swimming, and communities are all areas that benefit from reliable lightning detection systems. Some tools come with collaborative features that allow you to quickly send out alerts and information to different areas of your facility to create an overall safer and more involved community.