WATCH: Golfer is on the fairway…but giant gator poses a problem

Wildlife can really make a golf course and most players are prepared to live in harmony with the beasts on a layout.

Some are a little more intimidating than others, though.

This golfer doesn’t want to get near his ball which is being guarded by a large alligator.

What would you do in these circumstances?

What is a dangerous animal condition?

Rule 16.2 states that it exists when a dangerous animal near a ball could “cause serious physical injury to the player if they had to play the ball as it lies”.

Can I take free relief from a dangerous animal condition?

In short yes, if an alligator’s interfering with your ball no one is expecting you to run the gauntlet. You can take free relief from a dangerous animal condition no matter where your ball is on the course.

Just don’t get too creative. There are two exceptions to this otherwise relief free-for-all. These are:

– When playing the ball is “clearly unreasonable” because of something other than the dangerous animal condition – such as there’s a bear taking a close interest in your ball, but it’s buried in the middle of a bush. Where the ball is lying would mean you were unable to make a stroke, so you couldn’t use the animal as an excuse to get a free drop.

– When you contrive a stance, swing, or direction of play, or choose a club, that would mean interference existed but was “clearly unreasonable under the circumstances”.

How do I take relief from a dangerous animal condition?

If you’re not in a penalty area, you’d take relief as you would for an abnormal course condition if your ball was in the general area, bunker, or putting green.

Let’s assume, in this case, it’s in the general area. Find the nearest point of complete relief that’s still in that area, is no nearer the hole, and has complete relief from any interference from the dangerous animal condition.

You then have a one-club area within which to drop.

What if my ball is in a penalty area?

When this happens you have a choice. You can take free relief inside the penalty area – except that the nearest point of complete relief still has to be in the penalty area – or you can take penalty relief under Rule 17.1d.

If you do that, and there’s still interference (those bees can move swiftly, you know), then you can take further relief from the dangerous animal condition and you won’t tack on an additional penalty shot.