What does a blast from an air horn mean on the golf course?

Answer 1

If the playing conditions are deemed dangerous, the Club will close the course. They will advise players not to commence their game.

For players already on the course one long blast will be sounded with an air horn on the 1st tee. Where possible, staff will advise players on course of the impending severe weather. On hearing this horn all players MUST suspend play.

No staff/members will be allowed access to the course after the siren has sounded.

Re-Opening the Course

When conditions have improved and play can safely resume the Club will re-open the course.

3 short blasts on the air horn will be sounded on the 1st tee to advise players who choose to remain on the course during the suspension of play, that it is safe to re-commence play.

Lightning

On seeing a flash of lightning players must stop play.

One long blast will be sounded on the air horn (by the Club) on the 1st tee to advise players who did not witness the lightening flash, that they must suspend play.

Players are advised to return to the clubhouse.

Liability When a Golf course does utilize a horn, the golf course is responsible for sending out a representative to ensure all golfers are aware of the danger since there's no guarantee all golfers hear the warning. Some course have chosen, most likely due legal or insurance advice, to eliminate the horn and post warnings in prominent places in the clubhouse about the dangers of weather and golf which puts the onus on the players and frees the course of any liability. Of course, with almost everyone having weather updates in their pockets today and thunder always preceding electrical storms, no one should need to called in by a horn.