The Rules of Golf, the definition of a hazard is any bunker or water hazard. However, hazards created by course designers are the least worry if you play golf. Good Technology, a positive attitude and a little practice can blunt its edge. Of greater importance, the threats they may pose a danger to your life and limb.
The most common injuries that require hospitalization, are of a ball or hitting the golf club on the face or head. The first death from a blow onthe head from a ball was recorded in 1632. You would be wise to check that you are adequately covered as many golfers wrongly believe that they are sufficiently protected by their household insurance policy. Shouting 'Fore' at the top of your voice does not excuse you from the risk, as you are liable for any shots that cause injury.
While a blow to the head can be catastrophic, you can avoid the most common of all golf injuries. These are the injuries to your soft tissues, Muscles, tendons and ligaments on the rotation of the golf swing made. Chronic back pain and tendinitis in the elbow are also high on the list. But with a good investment program and an adequate warm-up before the game, you can reduce your vulnerability to these types of threats. You should also have the danger of sunstroke and dehydration on the alert.
Ingestion of harmful chemicals is another possible danger. Amazingly, there are golfers who purify lick the ballbefore. Contamination of the golf ball responds to many toxic substances such as pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. This can cause serious diseases such as hepatitis, and in some cases death.
It is estimated that about 1800 thunderstorms in progress at any one time. Lightning strikes the earth an estimated 50 to 100 times per second. However, the statistics show in the United States, that the chance of being killed by lightning, one of six million. If you are planning a summerVacation, you should know that it is dangerous to play golf in Florida than any other state.
Other accidents lie in wait for unwary. Driving and riding in a golf cart can be dangerous, but most of the reported injuries are alcohol together. Recently, a golfer has lost control of his car and drove over a cliff to kill himself. There were even cases of people drowning in a water hazard when trying to retrieve a club.
Depending on where you live, animal attacks can alsopose a risk. In Canada you read of the occasional bear attack. Not so long ago the Supreme Court in Australia ordered a local golf club to compensate a young boy for the injuries he sustained when a large kangaroo mauled him. In Africa all sorts of wild animals from hippos and crocodiles, to monkeys and baboons abound in the vicinity of some golf courses. However, reported attacks are rare.
Of greater danger to golfers in hot climes is the ever present threat of snakes. Local rules usually detect this and allow the golfer to fall away from a snake, without penalty. A worrying phenomenon is the recent threat of the human assault on the golf course. In some countries, armed robberies on the fairways are on the rise.
A golf course is essentially a microcosm of the great world. Some risks are unique to the game, others such as heart attacks are part of daily life in the outdoors. Despite the many dangers that are possible, golf is still a safe game and your life willare rarely in danger.
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