Golf Tips: Planning for Safety on the Course

Mention safety on a golf course, and the first thought of most players is how to avoid wandering out in front of some other guy's shot, and making sure you don't get clobbered by standing too closely to someone who is taking a full swing at a golf ball. These are, of course, good things to consider. Most of us who play the game know that even the pros are capable of hitting a stray shot now and then, and other players who happen to be in the landing zone can find themselves wishing they had seen it coming.

The fact is, however, that there are other hazards on the golf course that are more commonplace for the average player, and unless certain precautions are observed, and certain preparations are made, those problems can quickly take away our enjoyment of the game.

1. Dealing with those blood-sucking insects. Sorry, but as long as real golf courses are played in the great outdoors, the golfer will always have to deal with a few "critters" that can be troublesome. Almost all of us who have played the game of golf for awhile know that it's very possible to wander into a low-lying area of a fairway, and suddenly find yourself surrounded by a gazillion mosquitoes. When this happens, you end up slapping your way out of the area instead of worrying about how to play the shot. We also know that, while wading through ankle-high rough, it is possible to pick up about 10 or 12 ticks without ever noticing. Even if you were fortunate enough to avoid collecting any ticks, you still may have gotten into a nest of chiggers, and will need a second set of fingernails to do all the scratching that those little guys can bring on.

So what can you do? Plan ahead. Even in dry weather conditions, assume that there are going to be a few biting insects. Apply a mosquito spray before you start, and again as needed throughout the round, to make sure that you have warded off these pests to the greatest degree possible. Another way to help yourself here is to wear protective clothing, particularly if you figure to be in the wooded and tall-grass areas of the golf course on a frequent basis. Then finally, shower soon after the round. This is probably where you will be able to discover that little crawler that hid himself in the waistband of your slacks or the elastic ankle section of your sock.

2. Dealing with stinging insects. Obviously most golfers will take along a beverage during a round of golf. This is certainly advisable, since hydration is so important when spending time in the sun. Remember, however, that bees and yellowjackets are attracted to sugar-containing beverages, and many a golfer has been stung on the lip by sipping from a soda can that has been left standing open, providing an opportunity for that mud wasp to dive right in.

So what can you do? Well, you might switch to drinking water, which is less likely to attract the unwanted creatures, or at least do a visual check of your soda before taking a swig.

3. Dealing with the sun. I can think of many times that I have been so excited about the first warm weekend of the season, that I've shed as many clothes as possible during a four-hour round of golf, and then later spent my evening applying medicine to my newly acquired burn. And the sunburn problem is really just a temporary issue. A more serious concern for those spending lots of time on a golf course can be the threat of skin cancer. Over time, that constant exposure can lead to lesions that appear on parts of the body that are not routinely protected, including the arms, the face, and the pinna of the ear. Heat stroke can be another concern, especially for older players. The results can include headache, confusion, disorientation, and nausea. In severe cases, it can even be fatal.

So what can you do? Use some common sense. If you think the golf course is where you need to get your summer-bronze tan, at least do it slowly, a little at a time, instead of trying to do it all in one day. Keep a tube of sun screen in your golf bag and use it frequently during the round. Keep well hydrated, preferably with water. If you are out on the golf course almost every day of the summer, get used to wearing a wide-brimmed hat instead of a cap. The brim will do a better job of protecting the tops of your ears and the back of your neck.

4. Dealing with turf chemicals. Greenskeepers and golf course superintendents generally do a fairly precise job of applying herbicides and pesticides to fairways and greens, such that the man-made chemicals do not present a health hazard to players. The human skin typically serves as an adequate barrier to these substances. But...how many times have you seen a player lick grass stain off the golf ball before placing it down to line up a putt? Golf course chemicals are tested to be safe, or they wouldn't be used, but do you really want to press your luck by providing even trace amounts with an unimpeded path to your digestive tract?

What can you do? First of all, use a towel to clean your golf ball after it has been on the fairway or the green, areas that might have been recently treated with chemicals. Secondly, wash your hands thoroughly after your round, before eating a meal. By that time, you have probably laid the clubs down on the green, and then handled them, and you have probably used your hands to take off the golf shoes that had been in constant contact with freshly applied chemicals.

5. Dealing with the weather. Lightning strikes people on a golf course. There's no good reason to think that you aren't at risk.

So what can you do? Finish your round of golf later. When lightning is present or likely to start, go inside. Don't fall for the old story that it is only dangerous when it is the cloud-to-ground type. It does what it wants to do, and without warning.

6. Dealing with muscle pain. While arthritis and bursitis can show up on their own, many golfers' aches and pains are brought on by an improper golf swing. Your grip or your swing path may be causing you to twist and turn in such a way that muscle strains are the result.

So what can you do? If you are suffering from a sore elbow (lateral epicondylitis) on a frequent basis, ask your local golf pro to watch you swing a few times and see if he or she can notice if there is anything that needs to be corrected. A proper golf swing should not create chronic elbow or shoulder pain. And even if your swing is okay, be sure to prepare for each round by doing some stretching and taking a few easy practice swings. If getting loose is important for professional and Olympic athletes, you have to figure that it's also important for us weekend warriors.

Golf safety can be easier than you think, as long as you're aware of the issues and have prepared to confront them.