And if you *do* find yourself in close proximity to a gator (less than 50 feet or so), then do turn around and run, and *don't stop* until you have run past a good barrier, or for at least 100 yards. A gator can outrun a human in a straight line, but they won't run very far, so if you've got a head-start, make use of it.
Females are more likely to attack on land, not because of hunger, but while defending a nest (reeds next to golf-course water hazards are just the sort of vegetation they like to use to build. Nests are built on land, but normally very near water.)
FWIW, in the wild the smell of an alligator is very noticeable at close range; they smell like their favorite food: rotting meat. I'm not sure how valid that is on golf courses or resort grounds, however; places like that are kept cleaner than undeveloped land.
I will admit that in my own opinion, privately-owned places of public accommodation (such as theme parks, hotels, golf courses, etc.) should be able to eliminate alligators that are found on the grounds in any way that they see fit, as should homeowners if they prefer to do so themselves rather than calling Fish and Wildlife to do it. However, I think that the remains should have to be turned over to the authorities so that you don't get people hunting for profit on private land. The gator population has more than rebounded; they are multiplying like flies now, and the numbers are such that culling makes good sense. (I grew up on a property where gators were a nuisance; my mother was terrified that we children would end up getting grabbed, and as in those days it was legal, my father shot them whenever we saw them.)
IMO, precautions must be taken to keep guests safe, try to protect lives including fining guests who feed aligators from the Poly bungaloes!
