The adder was seen slithering through the grass as Ernest Brown and his friends made their way around the course
The adder snake that was seen on the golf course(Image: Ernest Brown)
Golfers have been told to beware after a snake was discovered on a popular course. Ernest Brown was playing golf with a group of his friends at Pennard Golf Club in Gower, Swansea, when they reached the 13th green and saw an adder slithering along the grass.
Taken aback by the sight the 71-year-old took a quick photograph of the reptile before letting it continue on its journey as he and his friends continued their game. Mr Brown later posted the photo he took on Facebook and warned golfers and dog walkers to beware.
Mr Brown, who has been a member of the club for more than 50 years and visits twice a week on average, said: “We were onto the 13th and we got onto the green and saw the adder there. We took the photo and let him get on his way.
“About three years ago we saw another one about 50-60 yards away. They do get out and about.
“In the warm weather sometimes they rest in the holes. If you pull the flag out they are actually in the hole.
“I have been a member at Pennard for more than 50 years and before that I have seen one down there once and that was on the 18th green and that was 40-odd years ago and that was actually in the hole.”
Adders are most active between April and July, which is also the time when the majority of bites have been reported historically.
Adults are described as being roughly 50 to 60cm long and have a black and brown zigzag pattern along their back and V- or X-shaped marking on the back of the head.
Adder bites are fairly rare and they generally only bite in self-defence so normally bites occur when a snake is stepped on or disturbed, which can quite easily happen considering their preferred habitats are sand dunes, rocky hillsides, moorland, and woodland edges.
The NHS advises that if you think you have been bitten by a snake you should call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
It says you should stay calm, as most snake bites in the UK are not serious and can be treated, and to keep the part of your body that was bitten as still as you can.
You should take paracetamol for any pain, try to remember the colour and pattern of the snake to tell the doctor, and to take off any jewellery and loosen clothes near the bite in case it swells.
You should not attempt to go near the snake or try to catch or kill it and you should not try to suck or cut the poison out of the bite.
The NHS also advises you should not tie anything tightly around the part of the body where the bite is and not to take aspirin or ibuprofen as they can make bleeding worse.
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