Ohio Golfer Survives Lightning Strike Caught on Video

A golfer in Cincinnati walked away from a direct lightning strike last week, and the whole thing was caught on his own camera.

The man was recording his friends struggling to move a stuck golf cart up a small hill during a rainstorm. While laughing at their efforts, he stood under a tree holding an umbrella when lightning struck his arm with a loud bang and flash.

The video ends abruptly after the strike, but the story doesn't end there. According to meteorologist Matt Devitt, the golfer suffered only non-life-threatening injuries to his arm and is now recovering.

The golfer told Devitt he feels "unbelievably lucky" and blessed to have survived. His experience highlights several critical safety mistakes: staying on the course during a storm, seeking shelter under a tree, and holding a metal umbrella during lightning activity.

The Bright Side

This near-miss is becoming a teachable moment that could save lives. Meteorologist Devitt shared the golfer's story along with a simple safety reminder: "When thunder roars, go indoors."

Lightning strikes kill an average of 20 people in the United States each year, with hundreds more injured. Golf courses are particularly dangerous because they offer little natural shelter and golfers often hold metal clubs.

The Cincinnati golfer's willingness to share his frightening experience turns his mistake into education. His video serves as a powerful visual reminder that weather warnings aren't suggestions.

He may not have gained superpowers from the strike, but he got something better: a second chance and a story that might convince others to take storm safety seriously.