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Golf Safety Tips

Brent Kelley, sports journalist, claims that “Golf is a very safe sport - as long as a few basic, common-sense rules of safety are followed. When those rules are ignored, injuries can occur.”

Here is a summary of his good advice.

Keep Track of Those Around You

When a golf club is in your hands and you are preparing to swing, it is your responsibility to make sure your playing partners are at a safe distance away from you.   Look forward and to the left and right of the area where you are aiming your shot.  Don't hit your ball until you are confident that all golfers up ahead are out of your range.

Heads Up

While it's the responsibility of every golfer to be sure it is safe for them to take their shot, you can't rely on every golfer to do just that. Even when it's not your turn to hit, be aware of your surroundings. Be especially careful if you have to venture into an adjoining fairway to retrieve a ball or play an errant shot, or if you are close to an adjoining fairway and golfers on that hole are hitting towards you.

Yell Fore, or Cover Up When You Hear It

Even if you follow the advice above, there will surely be instances when you hit your drive farther than you expected, or a hook or slice comes out of nowhere.   You know what to do: Yell "Fore!" as loud as you can. That is the international word of warning in golf.  It lets golfers playing near you know that an errant golf ball might be heading their way, and they need to take cover.  And what should you do when you hear "fore!"? Do not try to spot the ball!  Instead, cover up. Crouch behind your golf bag, get behind a tree or hide behind the cart.  Make yourself a smaller target, and protect your head.

Some parting words of advice from Brent Kelley: “Golf involves the swinging of hard clubs, which propel hard balls at high speeds. If you're in the way of either the clubs or the balls, you're in danger. You could be placing yourself in danger, too, if you do not respect the power of the sun, the danger of lightning, or your body's need for the right kind of fluids on warm days.” 

Canada Safety Council sums up by saying: Respect the safety tips, be responsible for your well-being and enjoy the game.

 Source: www.Golf.About.com

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