WGTF NEWS FROM JAPAN: MEASURES FOR SAFE GOLFING DURING THE HEIGHT OF SUMMER

By Hajime Morita

Global warming has become a serious issue worldwide, and in recent years, the number of days exceeding 35° Celsius (95° Fahrenheit) has increased dramatically in Japan. The USGTF-Japan office is located in Saitama Prefecture, where Kumagaya City, known as one of the hottest places in Japan, can be found.

Golf courses around our office have prepared guidelines using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), a criterion announced by the Japan Meteorological Agency and the Ministry of the Environment, to ensure the safety of both visitors and staff. According to these guidelines, as a general rule, playing golf on courses is prohibited when the WBGT reaches approximately 33. This number is based on the Celsius degrees when used in Japan. With temperatures expected to rise further in Japan, golf courses across the country are likely to establish similar guidelines based on this index.

When the WBGT level exceeds 31, exercising is generally prohibited. At the level above 28, heavy exercise should be avoided. For levels between 25 and 28, it is important to take frequent breaks. To drink water and take salt regularly is also needed. When the WBGT is below 21, the risk of heat stroke is considered low, but it is still necessary to stay hydrated and take salt. Please note that the index values differ between Celsius and Fahrenheit.

When we look at the WBGT, we find that it was developed in 1954 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, to prevent heat stroke risk. Due to the high-humidity climate in Parris Island and the rigorous training, along with strict restrictions on clothing and equipment, heat stroke was a serious concern, which prompted the development of the WBGT. In 1975, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) introduced guidelines using WBGT for long-distance running. It prohibited races of ten miles or more when the index exceeded 28. In 1982, the WBGT was adopted as an international standard by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).