Golfer's swing sparks 12-acre blaze

espn.go.com ^ | August 31, 2010, 6:02 PM ET

[InvisibleChurch]

IRVINE, Calif. -- Forget "Fore!"

"Fire!" was the cry of the day for a golfer whose off-target swing sparked a 12-acre blaze in Southern California.

The golfer at the Shady Canyon Golf Course in Irvine landed a shot in the rough Saturday. On his next swing, his club snagged a rock, causing a spark that lit the rough ablaze and eventually attracted 150 firefighters to the scene.

[InvisibleChurch]

golf ball

[Mobties]

I wonder if the EPA will ban golf.

[bcsco]

At least on the face of it he didn’t have to incur a penalty...

[null and void]

I wonder if the EPA will ban golf.

Only for white people.

0bama golfs, remember?

[ProtectOurFreedom]

“$#@##%&**, scratched my brand new X22!!”

[jessduntno]

“How did it go with that fire over at the golf course?”

“It was rough.”

[rickomatic]

Believe it or not, I’ve actually seen sparks come off titaniam balls hit with titanium drivers. Doesn’t make any sense to me, but I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Very weird.

[Pan_Yan]

Who has the ‘flaming golf club’ ping list?

[rod1]

At least he did not lose strokes (or a whole tournament) for grounding his club in an off fairway area.

[jessduntno]

“Believe it or not, I’ve actually seen sparks come off titaniam balls hit with titanium drivers. Doesn’t make any sense to me, but I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Very weird.”

Yep ... it happens with my Calloway driver and 3 wood all the time. It clearly has nothing to do with how FAR you hit it, though ... dammit.

[Road Warrior ‘04]

Never lie about your handicap:

What's Your Handicap?

A businessman was attending a conference in Africa. He had a free day and wanted to play a round of golf and was directed to a golf course in the nearby jungle. After a short journey, he arrived at the course and asked the pro if he could get on. "Sure," said the pro, "What's your handicap?"

Not wanting to admit that he had an 18 handicap, he decided to cut it a bit. "Well, it’s 16," said the businessman, "But what's the relevance since I'll be playing alone?" "It's very important for us to know," said the pro, who then called a caddy. "Go out with this gentleman," said the pro, "his handicap is 16." The businessman was very surprised at this constant reference to his handicap. The caddy picked up the businessman's bag and a large rifle. Again, the businessman was surprised, but decided to ask no questions.

They arrived on the 1st hole, a par-4. "It's wise to avoid those trees on the left," said the caddy. Needless to say, the businessman duck-hooked his ball into the trees. He found his ball and was about to punch it out when he heard the loud crack of the rifle and a large snake fell dead from a tree above his head. The caddy stood next to him with the rifle smoking in his hand. "That's the Black Mamba, the most poisonous snake in all Africa. You're lucky I was here with you." After taking a bogey, they moved to the 2nd hole, a par-5.

"Good to avoid those bushes on the right," says the caddy. Of course, the businessman's ball went straight into the bushes. As he went to pick up his ball, he heard the loud crack of the caddy's rifle once again, and a huge lion fell dead at his feet. "I've saved your life again," said the caddy.

The 3rd hole was a par-3 with a lake in front of the green. The businessman's ball came up just short of the green and rolled back to the edge of the water. To take a shot, he had to stand with one foot in the lake. As he was about to swing, a large crocodile emerged from the water and bit off much of his right leg. As he fell to the ground bleeding and in great pain, he saw the caddy with the rifle propped at his side, looking on unconcernedly.

"Why didn't you kill it?" asked the man incredulously. "I'm sorry, sir," said the caddy. "This is the 17th handicap hole. You don't get a shot here."

And that, my golfing friends, is why you should never lie about your handicap!

[Pan_Yan]

I remember seeing a biography of Sammy Davis Jr. where one of his friends talked about golfing with the star.

“What’s your handicap?” asked his friend.

“I’m a one-eyed black Jew” was Davis’ reply. “What’s yours?”

[InvisibleChurch]

scene of the "crime" . no doubt there is a rule in golf regarding this and most likely costs a two-stroke penalty

[Made In The USA]

So did he play it where it landed? Rules ya know...

[Krankor]

Two men were playing golf one day. When they arrive at the fifth hole, one of the golfers starts to tee up his ball. His partner suddenly exclaims, "Hey, that looks like a mighty expensive ball. I wouldn't use it here. This is one of the toughest holes I've ever played. On the right there's a rough so thick you could lose your feet. On the left, there's mud that will suck your ball in like quicksand. And in the middle, there's a lake that's 15 feet deep."
The other golfer just shakes his head and laughs. "Well, this is one mighty special ball. If it goes in the rough, a built in flashing light goes off and leads me right to it. If it sinks in the mud, a high pitched beep tells me exactly where it is. And if it lands in the lake, a flotation device kicks in and pops it right back to the surface."
To say the least, his partner is very impressed and says, "Wow, that really is some ball. Where did you get it?"
The other man turns to his friend and responds, "Oh, I found it."

[Deaf Smith]

So this fire really had nothing to do with the cigarette he dropped in the rough?

[wyokostur]

I love golf. My goal this year was to get to a single digit handicapp...can't seem to get lower than a 14...still time...

[Minn]

titaniam balls

Huh?

[rickomatic]

titaniam balls Huh?

Yes, titanium balls. Google it. I imagine it's a small amount in the cover compound or something. But I have seen sparks come off them when hit. Not huge fireworks sparks, but enough, I'm sure to iginte some tinder dry brush.

[Slings and Arrows]

Next time, take the drop.