9 Unbelievable Golf Outbursts Caught on Camera
Golf sells itself as a gentleman’s game, but not every round ends with a tip of the cap. Professional players, even the most polished, can unravel in seconds when the ball stops cooperating. Cameras have captured plenty of moments where frustration boiled over into broken clubs, flying gear, and colorful language. Here are some moments of raw emotion that make the sport surprisingly chaotic.
Rory McIlroy Hurls His 3-Iron Into a Lake
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At the 2015 Cadillac Championship, Rory McIlroy launched his 3-iron into a water hazard after sending a shot wide left. He hurled it like a javelin, and it flew so far that it took a scuba diver to recover it. Course owner Donald Trump even called the throw “elegant,” but elegance or not, Rory finished the round with one less weapon in his bag.
Sergio Garcia Wages War on a Sand Trap
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Apparently, Sergio Garcia has a separate reputation for taking his anger out on the golf course. During the 2019 Saudi International, he hacked at a bunker like it owed him money. After botching a chip shot, he repeatedly slammed his club into the sand in frustration. He reportedly damaged five greens that week and was disqualified from the tournament.
Woody Austin Clocks Himself With a Putter
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Golfers break clubs, toss them, and even yell. But Woody Austin took it to a new level in 1997. After missing a putt, he smacked his own forehead with his putter, hard enough to bend the shaft. That self-inflicted meltdown became a defining moment in his career. You could say he really got inside his own head. Years later, Austin admitted to seeing a sports psychologist.
Ben Crenshaw Puts With a Wedge After a Snap
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In the 1987 Ryder Cup, Ben Crenshaw shattered his putter in frustration after missing a short one. Ryder Cup rules didn’t allow for replacements, so he finished the match putting with a sand wedge and one iron. Against all odds, he held his own to the 18th. Still, his mini-meltdown hurt Team USA as Europe went on to clinch the tournament.
Henrik Stenson Breaks a Club—and His Skin
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The 2011 U.S. Open delivered more than golf drama—it served blood. Henrik Stenson shattered his seven iron after a bad swing, and the splintered shaft sliced into his arm. A bandage patched him up, but not before he admitted club breaking might be “therapeutic.” We doubt self-harm counts as therapy, so Henrik might want to rethink his stress management plan.
John Daly Runs Out of Balls, Walks Off the Course
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John Daly said, “When you run out of balls, you run out of balls.” It was his explanation for what happened at the 2011 Australian Open. He had tried up to six times to clear a lake on the 11th hole. Ball after ball found water until his bag was empty. Instead of asking for more, he shook hands and walked off the course mid-round. Tournament officials banned him from the upcoming PGA event.
Hennie Otto’s Six-Putt Meltdown
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Hennie Otto turned a tap-in into a televised disaster during the 2005 Nashua Masters. During the final round, he experienced a significant lapse on the par-5 12th hole. After missing a short par putt, he became visibly frustrated and took a full swing with his putter in anger. His frustration escalated and led to a total of six putts on that hole, culminating in a score of 10.
Tommy Bolt Invents the Rage Quit Playbook
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Known as “Terrible Tommy,” Tommy Bolt was a pioneer of on-course tantrums. His outbursts became so common that officials implemented fines dubbed the “Bolt Rule.” He once said reporters exaggerated his temper, but few golfers left such a legendary trail of rage behind them. One time during the 1960 U.S. Open, he tossed his club, frustrated after hitting two consecutive shots into the water.
Sergio Garcia Throws His Shoe Mid-Match
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In a match play event against Retief Goosen, Sergio Garcia hit a poor shot and lost his footing. For some reason, he blamed his shoe. Not one to quietly sulk, he ripped it off and launched it over the crowd. A spectator returned it, but Sergio kicked the shoe again in disgust. it was a low point in both balance and decorum. Thankfully, no one was injured.
Tiger Woods’ Legendary Temper Caught on Mic
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Tiger Woods is one of golf’s greatest icons and also one of its most intense. Throughout his career, he’s been caught on camera and mic swearing, slamming clubs, and glaring down poor shots with fury. When his shot rolled off the green on the 16th hole during the 2012 Masters, Tiger Woods was caught on a hot microphone audibly cussing.
Ian Poulter’s Fan Confrontation
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Ian Poulter is no stranger to letting his emotions bubble over on the course. At a LIV Golf event in Houston, footage captured the Englishman in a heated exchange with a spectator while heading towards a buggy. Ian was clearly incensed, repeatedly cussing at the fan. He referenced the fan “piping up on the 18th tee” as his trigger.
Tom Weiskopf’s Club Slam at the 1970 Phoenix Open
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After executing a near-perfect wedge shot that landed just three feet from the pin, Tom Weiskopf, dissatisfied with the ball’s spin, forcefully slammed his club back into his bag. His caddie, taken aback, inquired about the reaction, to which he cussed some more. It’s no wonder he earned the moniker “The Towering Inferno” due to his on-course outbursts.
Patrick Reed Snaps Wedge in Frustration at 2019 U.S. Open
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It was the second round of the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Patrick Reed was on the 18th hole. After several misplays, he snapped his 61-degree lob wedge over his knee and broke it in two. He then discarded the broken club near his bag and proceeded to finish the hole, ultimately making a double bogey. According to him, he at least got his anger out.
Matt Every’s Club Toss and Profanity at the 2014 Arnold Palmer Invitational
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At the 2014 Arnold Palmer Invitational, Matt Every lost his cool in a big way after botching a bunker shot. Visibly fuming, he slung his club in a sweeping arc and followed it up with an angry outburst peppered with profanity that was loud enough for microphones to catch. The TV cameras didn’t miss a beat, and neither did critics. Matt later admitted his actions were “embarrassing.”
Lucas Bjerregaard Helicopters Club at the 2020 Oman Open
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Lucas Bjerregaard wasn’t exactly flying high at the 2020 Oman Open. After a frustrating swing that sent his ball somewhere it didn’t belong, he spun around and launched his iron like a propeller, helicoptering it down the fairway. It didn’t help his score, but it sure made the broadcast more exciting. Fans online turned the Danish golfer’s fury into a viral spectacle.