Snake!!!

This past winter in Florida on the golf course we play daily, I hit a ball into the rough. As I started into it to hit the ball, a long rat snake slithered away into the deeper grass just a couple feet away. I begged for a free drop, but since there was money on the line, I got no sympathy and had to play the ball where it lies. I took a longer club and rattled it in the taller grass to be sure the snake had moved away before I addressed the ball with the snake somewhere behind. My ball was sitting on some sticks, etc. and as I hit the shot, I disturbed a longer stick and a piece came up behind and hit the back of my leg. My next step was to the middle of the fairway! My playing partners are still laughing!