Nothing can put a dent in one’s golf plans like lightning and other extreme weather conditions. Due to this, many golf courses now use lightning detection systems that trigger alarms whenever lightning is detected. Usually, these alarms create an alert when the lightning is within a specific radius. Today, we’ll discuss these lightning prediction and tornado prediction tools, and how they alert golfers to seek shelter.
Lightning Safety
The Official PGA website discusses the harm lightning can cause on golf courses, and shares important safety precautions. They even provide a few interesting facts, such as, “Lightning often strikes outside of heavy rain and may occur as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall”. And, “Most lightning incidents occur when people are caught outdoors in the summer months during the afternoon and evening (between 2:00-6:00 p.m.)”.
This information is not intended to deter anyone from golfing. However, it is important to take the necessary safety precautions when planning to golf and actively golfing. While responsible golfing is important, it’s also necessary for the golf courses themselves to stay vigilant. By using a combination of lightning prediction systems and lightning detection systems to enhance the safety of their players.
Prediction Systems vs Detection Systems
Both lightning prediction and severe storm prediction systems are crucial for golf course safety. Needless to say, severe storms can cause hazards and long-lasting damage. Therefore, having a severe storm warning is one of the best ways to ensure public safety and limit other devastation. But, what’s the difference between a lightning detection and lightning prediction system?
As their names imply, prediction systems monitor the atmosphere to determine the potential for lightning and issue a warning to provide ample time to seek shelter before lightning actually strikes. Detection systems are used to alert when lightning has already been detected within a specific radius. The problem with using only a detection system is that lightning is required for it to give you warning making it already dangerous when the warning is given. The advantage of a prediction system is to let you know that it will be dangerous soon, giving you and the people/property you are trying to protect, the proper amount of time to take precautions and seek shelter.
Safety Guidelines
Palm Beach County offers official general lightning safety tips. This includes, “When thunder roars, go indoors”, which we find quite catchy ourselves! If you’re close enough to hear the thunder, you’re most likely close enough to be within striking distance of the storm.
Golfers are always advised to read each unique course’s guidelines before gameplay to know the rules and procedures. For example, a siren or other signal may be used to show when the play should be paused.
Safe Areas
Upon receiving the warning, golfers should seek immediate shelter in a safe area disconnected from the outdoor air. Many golf courses offer designated shelters (such as clubhouses) specifically for use in case of a lightning or storm threat.
It is best to avoid sheds, bleachers, grandstands, dugouts, and smaller/open shelters. It may be tempting to seek shelter in a golf cart. However, it is best to stand far away from these as they are made of materials that can conduct electricity and are still connected to the energized atmosphere.
After The Storm
It is also wise to check with the staff about what to do after a storm. They may have different procedures when it comes to how to know it is safe to return to the course. Other post-storm guidelines may also be applicable.
Once the threat has passed, you can wait 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before resuming play, however there is no scientific evidence proving that 30 minutes of waiting determines safety post-storm. A lightning prediction system can actually measure the atmosphere in real-time providing actual evidence that the atmosphere is safe to resume outdoor activities.
Lightning Prediction Systems
THOR GUARD Lightning Prediction systems constantly monitor the atmosphere for building and falling charges. If charges are building (with or without lightning present), our warnings provide ample time to reach a safe location before the lightning is present. This is especially important as our systems also provide valuable insight into tornado prediction as well!
If the charges are falling, we will then let you know when the atmosphere has returned to a state of stability. This means we use scientific measurements onsite to measure when it is safe to return outdoors and resume activities.
Trusted THOR GUARD Technology
Using sophisticated sensors and computers, the THOR GUARD Lightning Prediction System has been reliably measuring and accurately analyzing the electrostatic field in the atmosphere. Manufactured in South Florida since 1973, our systems have been proven to calculate and predict the occurrence of lightning allowing users to make more intelligent choices to seek shelter and protect property. Often, other detection systems provide information too late but not with THOR GUARD.
Our devices have been used at all National Championships conducted by the United States Golf Association. Along with LIV Golf, the Canadian and European Golf Tours, and many local sections of the PGA of America. With a list of prestige clients (including non-golf industries), we can ensure the world’s fastest real-time lightning detection combined with our lightning prediction and severe storm algorigthms.
For more information about our systems, please contact us on our site or email us at sales@thorguard.com. Or, call us today at 954-835-0900 or 888-571-1212.
