Police Use Golf Clubs to Subdue Nine-Foot Python at Golf Course
At Florida’s Hideaway Beach Club, police officers used golf clubs from the nine-hole course to subdue a nine-foot Burmese python. The creative and resourceful approach of law enforcement has helped address the persistent threat posed by these exotic snakes in the Sunshine State.
By Beth Snider · January 1, 2024
Florida, known for its beautiful beaches and sunny weather, now finds itself facing a challenge - an invasion of Burmese pythons. The exotic reptiles, originally introduced to the Florida Everglades through the pet industry, have become a formidable threat to the state’s ecosystem. In a recent incident at a Marco Island club, the local police engaged in an unconventional battle with a nine-foot python armed with nothing but trusty golf clubs.
The Burmese python surge in Florida is not a new phenomenon. Illegally released into the wild, these snakes have multiplied rapidly, expanding their territory and posing a threat to native wildlife. The incident at Hideaway Beach Club sheds light on the challenges in dealing with these invasive reptiles.
In a video, Marco Island police officers responded to a call about a nine-foot python coiled in the bushes at the resort. The snake, later identified as an adult male, wasn’t going down without a fight. As the python resisted arrest, the police officers turned to the golf clubs readily available at the executive nine-hole course. In a scene reminiscent of an action movie, officers and a club security guard used golf clubs to wrangle the massive snake from the bushes.
The video captured the intensity of the struggle as the team swung golf clubs to subdue the python. The nine-foot reptile put up a formidable fight, but the officers’ persistence paid off. With a well-executed strategy, they place a cloth over the snake’s head, temporarily blinding it and enabling them to transfer it to a nearby cage.
The Marco Island Police Department later reported the successful removal of the python, stating that it had been turned over to certified Florida Fish and Wildlife trappers.
The incident at the beach club isn’t the first encounter with massive Burmese pythons in Florida. The longest python, measuring a staggering 19 feet, was caught near Naples in July. To address the issue, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission allows permit holders, python removal contractors, and specific staff, to transport live pythons for euthanizing.
The Burmese python infiltration poses a threat to Florida’s ecosystems, with the snakes impacting native species and even preying on alligators. Despite their non-venomous nature, their sheer size and adaptability make them a challenging invasive species to manage.
Native to Southeast Asia, the snakes have become a meddling species in Florida due to the pet trade, leading to a significant presence in the state, notably in the Florida Everglades. This non-venomous snake, recognized as a distinct species since 2009, exhibits sexual dimorphism in size, with females being heavier and bulkier than males. The python population has caused detrimental effects on the ecosphere, including declines in other native snake species, and various efforts, including eradication movements like the 2013 Python Challenge, have been initiated to address the issue.