Dinosaurs may well be a common sight on mini golf courses these days, but some players in America came across what looked like the real thing this week.
Golfers in South Carolina were forced to pause their game when one of the biggest alligators anyone has probably ever seen just wandered across the course and into the nearby body of water.
While the alligator wasn't quite the size of the 'biggest great white shark' ever caught on camera, it might well be enough to put a lot of people off visiting the Ocean Course on Kiawah Island in South Carolina, USA.
Fortunately, alligators are thought to be far less aggressive than crocodiles, as you certainly wouldn't want to end up in a fight with the giant beast.
Advert
Thankfully, alligators are a pretty rare sight over in the UK but those in the US are perhaps more accustomed to seeing them, and they can even sometimes sneak up on unsuspecting swimmers.
Popular X account Rick Golfs shared the video online and it quickly went viral.
He said: "Insane crocodile at the Kiawah Ocean Course! Props to the cameraman for getting close.
"For a $600 green fee, you not only get to shoot a 103, but you get to meet this specimen!
Advert
"My buddy sent me this. They literally walked right by him and then he crossed over the tee box behind them. Crazy.
"I know they are technically not interested in eating us. But I’m still not sure I want to tempt fate."
While $600 ($450) is a hefty fee for a round of golf, these lads definitely had a game that they will never forget, so maybe they got their money's worth on this occasion.
The alligator, which was simply out for a stroll in the sun, stole the spotlight as the golfers were teeing off, but fortunately the sportsmen survived to say 'see you later'.
Advert
One is never short of balls on a golf course, but the cameraman certainly didn't let the fear get the best of him as he got a close-up shot of the astronomical alligator as it disappeared from the green into the water, much like most of my golf shots seem to.
Fans were left shocked and also amazed by the sheer size of the reptile, responding in the comments of the original video.
One said: “They told me dinosaurs are extinct.”
Another declared: “Brave camera work.”
Another added: “That is truly insane.”
James Moorhouse