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.