Must Reads
Temper Tantrums

The top 10 tantrums, outbursts and meltdowns in golf

By

There are two types of golfers in this world: Those that admit to the occasional outburst on the course, and unrepentant liars. From Jack Nicklaus (it took the Golden Bear four shots and two club throws to get out of St. Andrews' Hell Bunker in 1995) to Jack Nicholson (who once smashed a 2-iron against a fellow motorist's car), everyone, to some degree, has been guilty of losing their cool (most recently Sergio Garcia, who took his frustration out on some bunkers and greens while in Saudi Arabia). Some, however, surpass the designation of temper tantrum. Through folklore or photographic evidence, these explosions have become infamous, and in some ways, synonymous, with the sport.

Here are the 10 most notorious golf blow-ups (warning: some adult language follows):

1

Gilmore vs. Barker

Gilmore vs. Barker
Unpopular opinion: the Price is Right host had it coming. You don't treat a partner like that!
2

Woody Austin -- Flatstick Flogging

Woody Austin -- Flatstick Flogging
Austin, known for his colorful ensembles and adventures into the season, makes the list thanks to a punishment via putter. Following a woeful attempt on the green at the 1997 Verizon Heritage at Hilton Head, Austin smacked himself in the dome with his club, breaking the putter in the process.
3

Hennie Otto's six-putt

Hennie Otto's six-putt
The South African has won three times on the European Tour, but will likely be remembered for his six-putt from 15 feet at the 2005 Nashua Masters.
4

John Daly at Pinehurst

Admittedly, an entire Long John gallery could be built on this subject. But Daly's actions at the 1999 U.S. Open -- when, out of frustration, he hit a moving ball -- is the first emotional faux pas that comes to mind.
5

Jack Nicholson

The guy may play it smooth on the silver screen, but Jack was far from composed after getting cut off in traffic in 1994, smashing his club into the offender's windshield.

"I was on my way to the course, and in the midst of this madness I somehow knew what I was doing," he told Golf Digest in 2007, "because I reached into my trunk and specifically selected a club I never used on the course: my 2-iron."

6

Tommy Bolt's career

Bolt's passionate antics earned him nicknames like "Terrible Tommy" and "Thunder." He helicoptered clubs on such a frequent basis that it was news when he didn't have an outburst. Eventually, the tour invoked a "Tommy Bolt rule" regarding club throwing. The law's first felon? Bolt, who told Golf Digest in 2002, "It thrills crowds to see a guy suffer. That's why I threw clubs so often. They love to see golf get the better of someone, and I was only too happy to oblige them."
7

Sergio Garcia's Shoe Throw

Sergio is an emotional sort, from slamming clubs into bunkers to tossing his sticks into ponds. But it's hard to top his feat -- or should we say, "feet" -- of removing his shoe and tossing it into the crowd during the 1999 World Match Play. Once returned, Garcia proceed to dropkick the sole.
8

Bubba Watson Yells at Caddie

Bubba has (relatively) cooled off as he's grown older, but many still remember Watson ripping into his caddie after putting one in the drink at the Travelers Championship. The moment was so condemned that a Twitter movement -- #PrayForTedScott, in reference to Watson's caddie -- was born.
9

Tiger Woods' Four-Letter Words

In Tiger's defense, cussing on the PGA Tour is not an anomaly, and, due to his status as the game's best player for nearly 15 years, every one of Woods' movements has been cataloged. Still, his profanity became such a problem that eventually the tour asked Woods -- after noting the FCC's complaints towards his language -- to tone it down.

It did not work.

10

Bobby in the Bunker

If "Bobby Knight's Golf Outtakes" isn't the greatest thing the Internet has produced, it's at least in the top two.
Joel Beall is a Staff Writer for Golf Digest. He previously worked for FOXSports, the Cincinnati Enquirer and WhatIfSports.com. Beall owns a Golden Tee Machine and a broken putting stroke.
Trending Now
  • Accessibility Help

    • Subscription

    Resources

    Products & Services

    Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our Visitor Agreement (updated 1/1/2020) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Notice (updated 1/1/20).  Golf Digest  may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers.  The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of DISCOVERY GOLF, INC.

    ©2020 DISCOVERY GOLF, INC. All rights reserved