Golf courses are awesome but strange too, and one peculiar phenomenon has caught the attention of golfers and spectators alike: golf balls getting stuck in cacti. Yes, you read that right – golf balls can, and do, get lodged in the prickly arms of cacti that surround golf courses. It’s a problem that’s particularly prevalent in the American Southwest, where iconic saguaro cactuses line the fairways.

If a golf ball gets stuck in a cactus, it’s considered a lost ball. To replace it, golfers must take a drop at the nearest point of relief and incur a one-stroke penalty. It’s a quirky hazard that adds to the unique charm of golfing in the desert.

In the latest Instagram post by PGA Tour, golfer Boo Weekly revealed something, well, interesting; while practicing at the La Paloma Country Club for the Cologuard Classic, he stumbled upon a tree that’s been bombarded with golf balls. “I’mma tell you right now, they got a lot of mean woodpeckers,” Boo joked, before realizing, “Oh, nevermind, it’s golf balls!” He couldn’t believe his eyes, exclaiming, “Good night, look at this thing! Oh, that’s a calamity of balls.”

Boo couldn’t resist taking a closer look, pointing out a particularly fresh ball stuck in the tree. “Look at that one. That was today, too, You can tell it’s a fresh one. I ain’t gonna get my finger too close, but that’s a fresh one right in there.” He even speculated that it might be a Kirkland ball and considered trying to retrieve it to finish out his round. After all, as Boo admitted, “I’ve lost so many out here today!”

Fans in the comment section are surely having a blast on the whole thing and you’re going to want to read this one.

Netizens find Boo Weekly’s narration hilarious

“Boo, that’s a cactus, not a tree!!! 😂”, said one fan while the other said, “Calamity of balls” was a term I wasn’t ready for.” Well, this ball-in-cacti situation is actually a pretty common occurrence, especially at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, where a couple of iconic saguaros stand guard near the first hole, pockmarked with golf balls that have taken an unfortunate detour. Taylor Gooch notes that it’s hard not to chuckle at the sight, while Adam Hadwin tries not to think about the mechanics that would lead to such a wayward shot – after all, these cacti are over 30 feet tall, weigh thousands of pounds, and have been around for at least 30 years, making them a formidable (and somewhat intimidating) hazard. It’s a phenomenon that’s been observed before, including back in 2022, when golfers took aim at the course and, in some cases, the cacti.

One fan commented, “Boo is “The Man” he’s an absolute hoot !!😂,” while the other said, “Unfortunately many were on purpose 😩” Well, it’s true – some people out there think it’s ‘fun’ to intentionally hit golf balls into saguaro cacti. A viral Instagram video shows a man doing just that at the We-Ko-Pa Golf Club in Arizona, and then fist-bumping his friends in celebration. What’s not fun is the fact that saguaros are protected plants under Arizona state law, and damaging them can result in a felony charge – not to mention that these incredible plants can live for up to 175 years and are an important part of the Sonoran Desert ecosystem.

Josh Minsky, a golf professional at the club, notes that some people seem to take pleasure in targeting the cacti, which is not only harmful but also disrespectful to the natural environment. This incident, which occurred back in 2020, reminds the importance of respecting and preserving the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert.

Another fan commented something that must be going through everyone’s mind when they were watching the video, “I’m talkin bout, look at the balls in this thang” needs to go viral,” and well it surely does. What do you think of Weekly’s reaction to the whole cactus situation? Drop your thoughts in the comment section below.