Law.com reports that as James Wiencek, 77, reached for his ball from near a large pond at a course in South Carolina, a 10-foot alligator "sprung" from the water and dragged the golfer in with him. In the ensuing struggle, Wiencek survived, but lost his right arm at the elbow.

In January, he filed a lawsuit alleging that his injuries arose as a result of the negligence of the golf course's owners.

While Folklaw thought this might be an open and shut case, especially as the alligator had previously been seen by nearby residents and the golf course owners alerted, it seems that Wiencek might be up against it.

A Florida appeals court has previously ruled that a property owner cannot be held liable for an attack by a wild animal which exists "in a state of nature".

While golf is often considered to be a genteel sport enjoyed by corporate types, Americans called Chip or Bud, and the elderly; it seems the danger of being attacked by a dangerous animal is ever present.

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In the last six months alone, there have been reports of a female golfer being bitten by a snake at a professional tournament in China, and a fox attacking a golfer in North Carolina after it turned on him when he attempted to rescue two children from the animal.

Folklaw recommends that henceforth, all readers enjoy golf from the safety of the clubhouse on 19^th hole.