Mastering Golf in the Land Down Under: A Guide to Playing Amidst Crocodiles, Snakes, and Kangaroos

A Golfing Adventure Like No Other

Picture this: a golf ball soars through the air, effortlessly gliding down the fairway, capturing the attention of a curious mob of kangaroos.

Meanwhile, in a nearby water hazard, a three-and-a-half-meter long crocodile leisurely swims by. And just as you thought it couldn’t get any more interesting, a venomous snake slithers out of its hiding place on the green and disappears into the tall grass.

Welcome to Australia’s golf courses – where nature reigns supreme and every round is an adventure unlike any other.

Australia: A Wildlife Wonderland on the Greens

Australia is known for its diverse wildlife, and golf courses across the country provide perfect habitats for an array of land-based, aquatic, and airborne species.

Golf tournaments around the world have had their fair share of unexpected animal encounters – from squirrels to seagulls and deer – but few countries can match Australia when it comes to hosting potentially dangerous creatures along their fairways.

Yet amidst this unique ecosystem lies one iconic Australian animal that poses very little trouble for one particular course.

Anglesea Golf Club: Home to Hundreds of Kangaroo Residents

Situated on Victoria’s stunning southern coastline along the Great Ocean Road lies Anglesea Golf Club. Here, over 300 Eastern Grey kangaroos roam freely across the course, creating an unforgettable golfing experience.

The land on which the course sits has been a natural habitat for these hopping marsupials since long before its opening in 1953. The original farmer who sold the land insisted that the kangaroos be allowed to continue living there.

Fast forward seven decades, and Anglesea Golf Club remains a haven for kangaroos. In fact, it has embraced their presence so much that they even offer popular kangaroo bus tours, providing visitors with a unique insight into the lives of these beloved locals.

Kangaroo Capers: A Golf Course with a Difference

“People from England often compare them to deer, with their beautiful eyes and delicate noses,” says Marg Lacey, board member at Anglesea Golf Club. “They’re incredibly expressive creatures – using their ears and scratching themselves – making them relatable and almost human-like.”

Surprisingly enough, managing these marsupial residents requires less effort than one might expect. With no fences enclosing the course’s perimeter, kangaroos have complete freedom to explore beyond the greens and into surrounding bushland or nearby streets. However, this freedom mostly applies to male kangaroos as females tend to stay rooted in specific areas on the course along with their joeys (young ones).

In terms of damage control caused by our furry friends’ powerful hops? Well, aside from occasional footprints in bunkers here and there (which are easily repaired), not much harm is done.

Keeping Up with Kangaroo Cuisine

Kangaroos are herbivores – surviving primarily on grass found around the edges of the golf course along with bark and leaves. Their vegetarian diet helps minimize the impact on the fairways, while also providing a unique benefit in the form of free fertilizer.

That’s right, those occasional piles of kangaroo manure serve as natural fertilizer for the course. With diligent mowers spreading it around, golfers can enjoy luscious green fairways courtesy of their marsupial friends.

In case your ball lands in one of these sandy footprints left behind by our resident kangaroos, worry not! Players are granted a drop to ensure fairness during gameplay.

Guidelines for Golfing Amongst Kangaroos

Anglesea Golf Club has established two key guidelines regarding their kangaroo residents: no feeding and no petting. Regular players have become accustomed to sharing the greens with these fascinating creatures and understand the importance of gently encouraging them to move off the fairway if necessary.

However, this task is easier said than done. The kangaroos at Anglesea Golf Club have grown so comfortable around humans that they often won’t budge unless you approach within arm’s length.

An Unconventional Game Between Humans and Nature

When all else fails, waving your arms or speaking softly may yield nothing more than blank stares from our furry spectators on the course. Interestingly enough, the flap of a golf umbrella has been discovered as an improvised solution—a quirk that adds even more unpredictability to this already extraordinary golfing experience down under!