Sherman’s brother, Mike Sherman, of Greensboro, N.C., played the course with his sibling Thursday morning. He said it compares well to any course he plays in his home state.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Mike Sherman said about inmate golf course maintenance.

Snakes, particularly water moccasins, have been spotted — and killed — on the course.

Mike Owens, Country Oaks head golf pro, said serpents are not a problem until golfers hit their balls into woods and water and go after them.

“Most of the snakes stay in the woods,” Owens explained.

More moccasins than rattlers have been spotted. Water and oak snakes also visit now and then.

“We got three last week,” Little said.

An inmate has slain his share of serpents with a tool used in greens maintenance.

“It’ll cut a snake quick. I’ve killed about five snakes out here,” the prisoner said, showing the mean-looking tool.

Inmates’ identity cannot be divulged.

The 31-year-old, snake-slaying convict is serving a two-year sentence for commercial burglary.

“It was my second felony, and it’s non-violent,” the prisoner, of Jesup, explained.

He is to be released in June 2010.

He and another inmate said they are “making the change and breaking the cycle.”

“I really enjoy it,” said a 26-year-old inmate from Atlanta. “It gives you a little bit of a sense of freedom out here.”