Crocs on the course FL

[Priceyd]

Random question but I have always wondered how often do you see crocs/alligators on the course in Florida? Read stories and seem pics of them but wondered how common they are

 

Like if your ball goes in the water do you look for it or just leave it?

 

From England where we don't have them issues but might be moving to Florida in September so got me wondering

 

Thanks

[MtlJeff]

I've been to Florida a few times and have seen Gators every time. Last time i was there i played the same course 4 times in a week and saw Gators 3 of the days, including once on the tee box.

Not sure how common that is, but i have seen them a bunch. If i hit the ball anywhere near the water i'll take any penalties you got, i ain't going close

[Shankopattamus]

I live in Southeast Georgia. My home course has three regular gators, and sometime even more. There is a course nearby, the courses on Jekyll Island, where there are a lot of them. I would say there are probably 20+ gators on the three courses; almost as common as deer.

They are commonplace, and it is never a big deal when one is seen. Most of the time we don't even acknowledge them. I always look for my ball at the edge of the water. Only once or twice have I left a ball because of a gator


Edit: Just want to let you know, Florida just has alligators. Lots and lots of gators.

[Moose_Hack]

I havent played in golf in FL so I dont know about that but I spend my summers playing in South Carolina and there are a decent amount. Usually they are just on a few water holes. Like Shank said its not a big deal if they are seen. Obviously you gotta use some common sense in wether deciding to get/hit your ball if it is near a gator. Ive heard stories where this old man took his little chiuaua on a walk down to the pond where a gatpr frequents. The man brought left over chicken bones/meat to feed to the gator. The gator instead ended up eating the mans dog instead. Another one I heard is a canadian couple thought that the gator that was sitting on the edge of the pond was fake and were posing for pictures with it and it moved and the lady freaked her s***. Nothing bad happened thankfully just funny now.

[XLR8Golf]

If you do happen to get chased by one, run in zig zags or S formation. An alligators straight line speed is probably faster than you.

[daveltb]

Crocs on the course?
Only without wearing socks. If you feel the need to wear your black laderhosen with your crocs, you will be confined to the clubhouse on most any course in florida:

[Priceyd]

Was waiting for one person to refer t the shoes


Do they ever effect you playing golf?

[Moose_Hack]

never unless you hit a ball and it rolls next to a gator. Then I just leave it and move on haha. Not worth it.

[XLR8Golf]

Once had a buddy drill a 3-iron into to croc. Made a loud thud sound and the thing did't even budge!

[ws6]

There are crocs in Florida, but they are not abundant like the alligators. I have run across alligators on several course in the southeast, never been a problem.

[Llortamaisey]

[quote name='Priceyd' timestamp='1366160938' post='6861115']
Was waiting for one person to refer t the shoes


Do they ever effect you playing golf?
[/quote]

I have to admit, I thought this thread was going to have to something to do with Hank Haney.

[HateTheHighDraw]

You'll be fine, just don't go fishing for your ball if its not immediately visible in the water.

[pingman1]

I would be more concerned about snakes!

[Will Par]

Three things to be careful with on Florida courses... Water moccasins, rattlesnakes, and cross-grain short putts. Alligators are just part of the scenery.

[bluejeeprubi]

Treat them like you would a small lizard on your back deck, you will be fine.

[agray94]

and fire ants.
The courses I played that had an issue usually had gator/snake/ant "ob" clearly marked and you weren't to go after the ball- even if in view.
Not sure if it was alligator or croc, but they do make a very loud roar sound once in a while. For an Illinois guy, the first time you hear one, it is pretty disconcerting. It sounds a bit like a lion/elephant cross and can be loud. Luckily I did not see them that time, only heard them across the course.

[linkerpan]

When I played Sawgrass in February the caddy told me the club is trying to "retire" the crocs from the course. Maybe too big a liability? I only saw one.

[SilverBullets]

i have seen gators in ponds/small bodies of water a couple of times in fla. I have only played in florida a handful of times, but, in south carolina (Hilton Head) where I have logged a significant amount of rounds it feels like you see them in 60% of the rounds you play.

Just don't f with them and you'll be fine

[cassel191919]

[quote name='XLR8Golf' timestamp='1366159180' post='6860861']
If you do happen to get chased by one, run in zig zags or S formation. An alligators straight line speed is probably faster than you.
[/quote]
Not probably, it is faster than you in a straight line.

[pingeye]

Gators are just part of the scenery there. Just watch for them and stay clear and you'll be fine. They are generally not aggressive unless you walk up on one. You'll see them anywhere from a couple feet long up to 12 footers for the most part.

The biggest thing to watch out for are the Fire Ants. They are nasty. You'll have a hundred of them on you before you even feel them and their sting and bite is pretty painful. You'll spot them from their little dirt mounds however sometimes the nests are hidden in the grass and hard to spot. When I'm down there I constantly look down at my feet to make sure I'm not standing on one. I do that here in Georgia as well as they are all over the place.

There are more Killer Bee nest popping up as well so if you spot a big group of bees on a tree or old wood shed on a course, stay clear and let the course know about it.

Snakes are the other things you need to watch for of course.

Other than that Florida is a great place.

[Golfinwill]

Yea like everyone else says. Just keep an eye out and avoid them. They really won't bother you. Typically courses know they have a few of them in specific spots and once they get to a certain size they have them removed. Snakes and ants are more the problem.

[chrndwg]

[quote name='pingeye' timestamp='1366296578' post='6871201']
Gators are just part of the scenery there. Just watch for them and stay clear and you'll be fine. They are generally not aggressive unless you walk up on one. You'll see them anywhere from a couple feet long up to 12 footers for the most part.

The biggest thing to watch out for are the Fire Ants. They are nasty. You'll have a hundred of them on you before you even feel them and their sting and bite is pretty painful. You'll spot them from their little dirt mounds however sometimes the nests are hidden in the grass and hard to spot. When I'm down there I constantly look down at my feet to make sure I'm not standing on one. I do that here in Georgia as well as they are all over the place.

There are more Killer Bee nest popping up as well so if you spot a big group of bees on a tree or old wood shed on a course, stay clear and let the course know about it.

Snakes are the other things you need to watch for of course.

Other than that Florida is a great place.
[/quote]

I'm guessing you don't work for the Florida department of tourism

In all seriousness being from Seattle the worst thing we have to deal with are slugs the size of small dogs...this post has me mildly terrified to golf in the southeast...

[jschwarb]

That's so true about the fire ants. I played Streamsong a few months before it opened with a p.r. rep. He teed off first on the first hole and told a couple stories, and after a while I felt some sharp pain above my ankles. Yep, was standing in an ant mound. P.R. guy was mortified, thinking I'd be totally down on the course, but that's Florida -- and in this case, rural Florida. You gotta watch every step.

[gr8blueheronbird]

Where did this occur on Streamsong? Just played and did not see these ant hills. Just saw snakes and gators. Played both red and Blue. Awesome courses.

[Priceyd]

Puts me off playing golf in Florida ill stick to Disney world! Heard stories about people getting killed by crocs but always wondered how dangerous it was

[Golfinwill]

It's really not dangerous unless you put yourself in that situation. It's extremely rare that a croc will come after you unless you sneak up on it. You learn if your walking along the water keep an eye out. If one is hanging out in a bunker, fairway ect stay away. It isn't like one see's you and is going to chase after you. If you just keep an eye out and keep those things in mind you won't have a problem.
Also like someone else mentioned if one does come after you run in a zig zag pattern you won't have a problem.

[Troyefl]

There are no crocs in Florida, gators on the other hand are very frequent on golf courses. If you are near water, best to scan the water for them before approaching your ball. Small ones are of no concern and really large ones are extremely rare on small course ponds. Enjoy your time in Florida and don't sweat the wildlife.

[MtlJeff]

snakes terrify me much more then gators. If i ran into an eastern diamondback that's like 7 feet long i'd crap a chicken

[jschwarb]

[quote name='gr8blueheronbird' timestamp='1366333515' post='6875079']
Where did this occur on Streamsong? Just played and did not see these ant hills. Just saw snakes and gators. Played both red and Blue. Awesome courses.
[/quote]

First tee on Blue. But this was in September (pretty much peak ant season) and the course was still months from opening to the public so they likely hadn't given the place the once-over with repellants.

[fsutanker]

There are way too many Gators everywhere in Florida.
GO NOLES