Playing golf in a thunder storm

[KeefG]

Generally considered as not a great idea yes?

I whole heartedly agree...

I played in Sheffield yesterday at Tinsley Park, and as we got to the 12th there was a bolt of lightning and some thunder way off in the distance, not too bad I thought and carried on playing.

Anyway, we got to the 16th and walking up the fairway I could see the clouds above us and what little wind there was moving to the east, but the storm clouds ahead moving to the west and I commented to my partner we might get stuck in the middle, further ahead I could see the trees blowing a lot on what was, until then, a very very calm & still day.

We got to the 17th tee and it started raining a bit, upto that point i'd still only seen 1 flash of lighning so wasnt too bothered, put my wet gear on and proceeded to play the hole, got to the 18th tee and the rain was now coming sideways and the wind was blowing a gale....to be honest, the sky looked like one of the pics in the thunder & lightning thread in Out Of Bounds section!! lol

I put my tee shot down the right hand side and my partner was down the left, he played his approach and was stood waiting for me, I was about to take my iron out of the bag when, crack....a lightning bolt hit a tree about 30yds behind me and the thunder was so loud I nearly crapped my pants.

I looked over at my partner who had dropped his club and was stood with his jaw wide open and was speechless....enough was enough...I picked the ball up and ran for the car park!!

To think that in just a matter of seconds i'd have been waving around a nice 6 iron in the air for the lightning to find and could possibly be dead by now....chilling!

Never again

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Played a cricket match in Isleworth many years ago and we came off as the storm approached. Got home to find out the game in adjacent sportsground was called off as a player was struck by lightning and killed.

I'll never play golf now if there is any lightning anywhere in the vicinty. I'll either play the hole I'm on and then stop but will try and continue if on 8/9 or the 18th but won't bust a gut etc and if its a roll up I'll happily walk in. In competitions the pro shop sound a hooter if there is any vicinity anyway

 

[freddielong]

Very Dumb indeed at least you learned your lesson and are still here to talk about it.

 

[Smiffy]

As much as I enjoy watching a thunderstorm, I will never play golf if there is one in the area...
It's bad enough trying to concentrate anyway, without the added thoughts of when and where the next flash of lightning is going to be.
I'm off like a shot, and hopefully I'm not too far away from the clubhouse.

 

[beck9965]

This reminds me of the old Lee Trevino quote.

“If you are caught on a golf course during a storm and are afraid of lightning, hold up a 1-iron. Not even God can hit a 1-iron.”

 

[KeefG]

I quoted that to my playing partner yesterday! lol

 

[slugger]

just a wee word of warning... never stand under a tree in a thunderstorm, or at the entrance to a cave or cave-like cutting into the ground. The electricity takes the shortest possible route to earth and you'll likely get zapped.

 

[KeefG]

I dont plan on ever being on or anywhere near a golf course in a thunder storm ever again. ever.

 

[Faldo_Fan]

Phew a lucky escape indeed! Although surely the car park wouldn't have been much safer?.....unless you were in your car of course!

 

[Ste_Denial]

if that had struck near me i would of been off like a flash lol close shave there then. i would never consider playing in a thunder storm and especially after reading this

 

[haplesshacker]

Indeed consider yourself lucky.

I was doing a yacht delivery 15 years ago to Turkey from the UK. Going the long way around, via Gibraltar.

One very dark night in the middle of the Med, we could see the rainstorm on the radar, and it was getting closer and closer. Then the thunder and ligtning started and then the rain. It was one of the most spectacular lightning displays I've ever seen. The problem was, is that we were in the middle of it, no where to hide or run to, teeming down with rain, lightning everywhere, and a 70 foot metal mast waving around in the air. It must have been the tallest thing around for miles, metal and wet!!

Another time I was parking my car at work, stupidly the only space left was next to an electricity sub station. A bolt of ligntning hit the sub station as I was in the car along side the sub station. That did make me jump!

I love watching storms, but can someone please care to explain why golfers are at particular risk from lightning.

 

[KeefG]

but can someone please care to explain why golfers are at particular risk from lightning.

Just because we're walking about in fairly open land waving shiny metal sticks about in the air, whilst shouting "come fry me Mrs. Nature" is probably the biggest reason.

 

[Spoff]

I know you're scared of losing to me on Wednesday, Keef, but playing with lighting is a bit extreme to get out of it!!!

 

[KeefG]

Never gonna happen fella! lol

 

[Spoff]

Never gonna happen fella! lol

What do you mean I can't have three shots per hole

 

[KeefG]

lol

 

[vig]

You came in without finishing. You Wuss.

Me and a mate played in an electric storm in the early 90's. course to ourselves.
most relaxed game I ever had. No one else on the course.

Now fishing with a 13 metre graphite pole in your hand, that's another matter

 

[KeefG]

lmfao

I just knew i'd get moral support from my good mate vig

 

[rgs]

Never played in an electrical--bloody dangerous anyway.

Have driven in Florida during their thunderstorms--thats hard work, visibility reduced to 30 yds.

Great to look at sitting in your apartment with a beer in your hand.

 

[vig]

I love being outside just after a major storm.

There is a freshness to the atmosphere.

My old Ma used to hide in the Pantry when it lightened.