Golf courses offer more than just immaculate fairways and challenging play—they provide unique ecosystems where wildlife thrives alongside the sport. From coastal links to desert courses and tropical paradises, golf resorts worldwide create habitats that attract fascinating creatures. Many resorts now embrace their role as environmental stewards, implementing conservation initiatives that protect native species while enhancing the golfing experience. This article explores the most remarkable wildlife encounters at renowned golf destinations across the globe, where the natural beauty surrounding the course often rivals the golf itself.
The Ecological Importance of Golf Courses
Golf courses occupy vast tracts of land—over 2.5 million acres worldwide—and when managed thoughtfully, they can serve as vital wildlife sanctuaries. Despite misconceptions about their environmental impact, many modern courses implement sustainable practices that benefit local ecosystems. They create diverse habitats including woodlands, wetlands, meadows, and water features that provide food, shelter, and breeding grounds for countless species. The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program has certified over 900 golf courses that demonstrate commitment to environmental stewardship, proving that golf and conservation can coexist harmoniously. These green spaces become increasingly important as natural habitats diminish due to urbanization and development.
Alligators at TPC Sawgrass (Florida)
Perhaps no wildlife association is more iconic in golf than the American alligators at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Home to THE PLAYERS Championship, this Pete Dye masterpiece features numerous water hazards where alligators regularly bask in the sunshine. Some specimens reach impressive lengths of 10-12 feet, creating memorable—and occasionally nerve-wracking—moments for golfers. During the 2017 tournament, professional golfer Smylie Kaufman’s viral reaction to encountering an alligator highlighted these prehistoric reptiles’ dominating presence. Course management maintains a respectful distance policy, recognizing that these ancient creatures were Florida residents long before golfers arrived. The alligators have become so emblematic of the course that they feature prominently in marketing materials and television broadcasts.
Monkeys at Bali’s Handara Golf Resort
At Handara Golf Resort in the highlands of Bali, Indonesia, golfers regularly share the course with troops of long-tailed macaques. These intelligent primates inhabit the lush forests surrounding this mountainous course, occasionally venturing onto the fairways to investigate unattended golf bags or snack carts. Unlike many wildlife encounters that happen by chance, monkey sightings at Handara are practically guaranteed. Local caddies have developed expertise in managing these interactions, advising players not to maintain eye contact (which monkeys may interpret as a challenge) and to secure food items. The monkeys display remarkable behaviors, including using tools, forming complex social hierarchies, and even taking occasional interest in abandoned golf balls. Their playful antics add a unique dimension to the golfing experience against the backdrop of Bali’s volcanic landscape.
Bald Eagles at Pebble Beach (California)
The iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links along California’s Monterey Peninsula offers golfers glimpses of America’s national bird in its natural coastal habitat. Bald eagles, with their impressive 7-foot wingspans, soar above the cliffs and occasionally perch in the cypress trees lining the fairways. Their numbers have increased significantly since conservation efforts rescued them from endangerment in the late 20th century. During the nesting season between January and July, lucky golfers might spot eagles carrying building materials or delivering fish to their young. The 6th and 18th holes, with their dramatic ocean views, offer particularly good vantage points for eagle watching. Pebble Beach staff work with local conservation groups to monitor nesting sites and protect these majestic birds while educating visitors about their ecological significance and remarkable recovery story.
Kangaroos at Anglesea Golf Club (Australia)
Few wildlife encounters on golf courses are as quintessentially representative of their location as the eastern grey kangaroos at Anglesea Golf Club on Australia’s southern Victoria coast. This course hosts a resident population of approximately 300 kangaroos that have become the club’s unofficial mascots. These marsupials gather in mobs across the fairways, particularly during early mornings and late afternoons when they’re most active. Male kangaroos can stand over six feet tall and weigh up to 145 pounds, creating an imposing presence alongside golfers. The club embraces their unique residents, offering special “kangaroo tours” for non-golfing visitors and implementing management practices that protect both the animals and players. What makes this relationship special is how thoroughly the kangaroos have adapted to course operations—they seem unfazed by golf carts and flying balls, having fully integrated the fairways into their natural habitat.
Mountain Lions at The Olympic Club (California)
The Olympic Club in San Francisco features a rare and elusive wildlife resident that few golfers ever glimpse: the mountain lion. Located adjacent to dense forested areas, this historic course occasionally receives visits from North America’s largest wildcats. Course maintenance workers more frequently spot these magnificent predators than golfers, typically during early morning hours when human activity is minimal. Security cameras have captured mountain lions traveling across the course boundaries between hunting grounds, especially during winter months when prey may be scarce. The club maintains strict protocols for mountain lion encounters, prioritizing human safety while respecting these animals’ crucial role in controlling deer populations. Though sightings remain exceedingly rare, the very possibility of sharing the course with one of nature’s most perfectly evolved predators adds an element of wild excitement to rounds played at this prestigious club.
Baboons at Skukuza Golf Club (South Africa)
Within the boundaries of Kruger National Park lies Skukuza Golf Club, arguably the world’s wildest golf experience. Here, troops of chacma baboons regularly patrol the unfenced course, creating unforgettable encounters for visiting golfers. These highly intelligent primates display remarkable problem-solving abilities, frequently figuring out how to access food in golf carts and bags. Growing up to 3 feet tall and weighing over 80 pounds, adult male baboons command respect with their imposing canine teeth and territorial displays. The course employs specialized rangers who monitor wildlife activities and ensure guest safety. What makes Skukuza truly unique is that baboons represent just one species golfers might encounter—the course is also frequented by impalas, warthogs, hippos, and occasionally even elephants and lions from the surrounding national park. Players must sign liability waivers acknowledging the wild nature of the course, where a round might be delayed not by slow play but by predator activity on the fairway.
Sea Turtles at Mauna Lani Resort (Hawaii)
The oceanfront South Course at Mauna Lani Resort on Hawaii’s Big Island offers golfers extraordinary opportunities to witness endangered Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu). These ancient marine reptiles, which can live up to 70 years and weigh over 300 pounds, frequently bask on the black lava rocks adjacent to the signature 15th hole. The resort has embraced conservation responsibilities by establishing protected areas and participating in monitoring programs with marine biologists. Hawaiian culture reveres the honu as symbols of good luck and longevity, adding cultural significance to these wildlife encounters. The resort’s conservation initiatives include educational programs for guests about responsible wildlife viewing, maintaining appropriate distances, and understanding the turtles’ protected status under the Endangered Species Act. During nesting season between May and September, the resort implements additional protective measures for potential nesting sites along the beachfront holes, demonstrating how tourism, sport, and conservation can harmoniously coexist.
Elk at Banff Springs Golf Course (Canada)
Set within the breathtaking Canadian Rockies, the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course offers players close encounters with North American elk during the summer season. These magnificent ungulates, with bulls weighing up to 700 pounds and sporting impressive antler racks, frequently graze on the manicured fairways and occasionally cause play stoppages as entire herds cross from one section of the course to another. During the fall rutting season, male elks become particularly territorial, engaging in bugling calls that echo dramatically through the mountain valleys. Course marshals receive specialized training in wildlife management, guiding golfers to maintain safe distances from these powerful animals. The Stanley Thompson-designed course, opened in 1928, was constructed with natural wildlife corridors in mind, demonstrating early awareness of environmental considerations. The relationship between the golf course and the elk herds exemplifies how sporting venues can integrate into natural ecosystems when thoughtfully designed and managed.
Exotic Birds at Casa de Campo (Dominican Republic)
The legendary Teeth of the Dog course at Casa de Campo Resort showcases the Caribbean’s extraordinary avian diversity. The Pete Dye-designed oceanfront masterpiece provides habitat for over 300 bird species, making it a paradise for both golfers and birdwatchers. Magnificent frigatebirds with their 7-foot wingspans soar above the ocean holes, while colorful Hispaniolan woodpeckers drill into palm trees lining the fairways. The resort’s conservation initiatives include designated bird sanctuaries within undeveloped areas of the property and participation in international migratory bird monitoring programs. Particularly special are encounters with the Palmchat—the Dominican Republic’s national bird—which builds massive communal nests visible from several holes. The resort offers specialized “birding golf packages” that combine playing time with guided bird-watching excursions, acknowledging that many visitors value these natural experiences as much as the golf itself. The diverse bird population contributes to natural pest control on the course, reducing the need for chemical interventions and creating a more sustainable management approach.
Foxes at St Andrews Links (Scotland)
The Home of Golf, St Andrews Links in Scotland, hosts a healthy population of red foxes that have adapted remarkably well to life among the historic fairways. These clever canids, with their distinctive russet fur and bushy tails, have become beloved figures at the birthplace of golf. They’ve learned to navigate the rhythms of course operations, emerging from gorse bushes and rough areas during quieter periods and occasionally showing remarkable boldness by approaching players. Course maintenance staff report that the foxes serve a valuable ecological function by controlling rabbit populations that would otherwise damage the turf. During early morning rounds, golfers might spot fox kits playing near den sites, particularly in spring months. The Old Course’s open design and natural features have provided suitable habitat for foxes for centuries, creating a living link to the wild heritage of these ancient links. Local lore includes numerous stories of foxes “stealing” golf balls, though whether this represents playful behavior or simple curiosity remains a matter of debate among regular players.
Crocodiles at Cariari Country Club (Costa Rica)
Costa Rica’s premier golf destination, Cariari Country Club, offers adrenaline-pumping encounters with American crocodiles that inhabit the course’s water features. Unlike their more aggressive Australian and African cousins, American crocodiles tend to be somewhat more reserved around humans, though they command appropriate respect with individuals reaching lengths of 15 feet. The course employs wildlife specialists who monitor crocodile activities and occasionally relocate individuals that grow too large or show concerning behavior. What makes these encounters particularly special is the crocodiles’ prehistoric appearance—relatively unchanged for 200 million years—creating the sense of a journey back in time. The club implements strict safety protocols, including permanent signage near water hazards and daily briefings for visitors about appropriate behavior. Remarkably, the crocodile population has actually increased since the golf course was established in 1974, as the protected water features provide refuge from hunting and habitat destruction that threatens the species elsewhere in Costa Rica.
The Future of Wildlife Conservation at Golf Resorts
The relationship between golf courses and wildlife continues to evolve in promising directions. Forward-thinking resorts increasingly recognize that memorable wildlife encounters enhance the guest experience while fulfilling important conservation roles. Environmental certification programs like Audubon International’s Cooperative Sanctuary Program provide frameworks for sustainable course management that benefits native species. Emerging technologies like wildlife tracking systems and environmental DNA sampling help courses better understand and protect their animal residents. Many prestigious tournaments now highlight conservation initiatives during broadcasts, raising awareness among millions of viewers. As climate change and habitat loss threaten biodiversity globally, thoughtfully managed golf courses will play increasingly important roles as wildlife refuges and conservation showcases. The most successful golf destinations of the future will likely be those that embrace their dual identity as sporting venues and nature sanctuaries, recognizing that their wildlife residents represent not liabilities but assets that enrich the golfing experience immeasurably.
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