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A normal day on the golf course requires some planning to make sure you’ve got all the supplies you need to play your best game. But for some players on the green, their game took a sharp turn when a gigantic alligator casually made his way across the greens like he owned the place.

When nature decides to wander onto the fairway in an “only in Florida” moment, terrified players have no option other than to freeze. Take a look at this scary scene.

TikTok user @oliviabrenlla shared a video she took while out on the golf course getting some exercise in. She was minding her own business when an unwelcome visitor started to stroll across the green. Not a person, not a bird or a dog, but a massive alligator.

She notes in the caption that the alligator is just “Florida for ya” and that it was “so scary but so cool,” but I’m not sure how everyone is just standing there. That’s perhaps the best move: to not panic and draw attention, but alligators can run. And this is a massive, giant alligator!

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In the comments, hundreds of people were also caught by surprise at how big this alligator really seems.

One person wrote, “The way I immediately knew it was Florida without reading the caption.”

Another shared, “What’s up with gators/crocs and golf fields? I don’t get it.”

Someone else added, “I need to travel to Florida [because] this is the excitement I can benefit from since my depression won’t let me feel.”

Other comments included, “Alligators aren’t aggressive, crocodiles are,” “Is it just me or are gators getting taller?” “He’s safer on the green than the pond while I golf,” “This is why I’m not moving to Florida. It’s so hot, too,” “I genuinely forgot they existed,” and “I’d just stand there and cry.”

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What Should You Do if an Alligator Crosses Your Path?

It doesn’t seem like the person who recorded and shared this video is terribly afraid of the alligator, and as she notes, it’s not unusual at all to see them if you live in Florida. But if you’re not a resident or someone who has lived there for a while, Naples Florida Vacation Homes has a few safety tips.

They explain that yes, alligators are a “part of life down here,” but even if you’ve been there forever, seeing one in real life can still produce a big fear response. “These critters are often found on the golf course or in a neighborhood—really, anywhere close to fresh or even brackish water,” the site notes.

You should never approach an alligator on land, and if one turns toward you and starts to run, your best bet is to run straight away from the alligator and the water. But they say that while it’s natural to be stressed and afraid of seeing an alligator in the wild, generally, if you’re not bothering them, they won’t bother you.

This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Apr 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.