Wild Encounters on the Golf Course: Using the "Ants & Alligators" rule

Sticks Together | Couples Golf

USGA "Dangerous Animal Condition" Rule: https://www.usga.org/rules/rules-and-clarifications/rules-and-clarifications.html#!ruletype=fr§ion=rule&rulenum=16&subrulenum=2

In this episode of "Sticks Together," we delve into the experiences of encountering wild animals while playing golf, recounting personal stories involving wildlife on the course, from fire ants to alligators. Frist, Stacey shares her recent golf adventures, highlighting a victory in the ladies' President Cup match after a particularly rough practice round, while Slade discusses his trip to New York and an inter-club match.

Stacey vividly recounts an encounter with fire ants in a sand trap, emphasizing the importance of immediate treatment and the rule that allows for relief in such situations. Slade recalls Hideki Matsuyama's experience with fire ants during the Valero Texas Open, further illustrating the application of this rule. We also discuss encounters with alligators on the course, stressing the need for caution and the rule allowing relief from dangerous animal conditions.

We also touch on playing golf in areas with different types of hazards, such as rattlesnakes and prickly vegetation in desert courses. Stacey mentions her habit of making noise to scare away snakes near water hazards. Slade shares his experience of hitting a jumping cholla cactus in Tucson, emphasizing the variety of regional hazards golfers might face.

The discussion shifts to the complexities of USGA rules and the challenges of understanding them in real-time. Stacey expresses her frustration with the rules' clarity and shares tips on how she and her friends manage rule disputes by consulting their pro or documenting issues for later clarification. Slade highlights the importance of knowing whether you're playing match play or stroke play to understand how to resolve rule disputes.

We conclude with a discussion about how weather conditions affect golf play, particularly ball travel distance and green speed. Slade explains that hot weather can make the ball travel farther, while Stacey admits to sometimes rolling her eyes at these details, feeling they might not significantly impact the average player. However, Slade points out that green speed can matter depending on putting style, with more aggressive putters being less affected by these changes.