Golf is a lonely game—just you, the course, and the voices in your head. But some players have a sixth member in their foursome: a never-ending list of excuses. Whether it’s the wind, the grass, the caddie, or the universe conspiring against them, these guys were masters of shifting responsibility anywhere but their own swing.
While golf is known for being a gentleman’s sport, that doesn’t mean everyone takes their lumps with a smile. These are the golfers who never quite looked in the mirror after a triple bogey, always finding a scapegoat instead. From legends with a flair for dramatics to journeymen with chips on their shoulders, here are the 20 golfers who just couldn’t admit fault.
20. Robert Allenby
Allenby had a reputation for making headlines off the course as much as on it. Whether it was being kidnapped in Hawaii or blaming his caddie for poor play, responsibility was never his strong suit.
19. Rory Sabbatini
Sabbatini played with a fire that often turned into finger-pointing. If something went wrong, it usually wasn’t long before he found someone else to pin it on.
18. Bryson DeChambeau
For a man of science, Bryson always had an equation for why something wasn’t his fault. From blaming the ball flight to calling out course setups, accountability was rarely in the formula.
17. Sergio Garcia
Sergio’s emotional outbursts were legendary, but so was his habit of blaming bunkers, weather, and even equipment. Rarely did he point the finger inward.
16. Ian Poulter
Poulter never lacked confidence, but sometimes it veered into delusion. If his round went sideways, it wasn’t him—it was bad luck, bad breaks, or bad vibes.
15. Ben Crane
Crane’s slow play was often the source of frustration for others. But anytime he faltered, it felt like the clock or conditions were at fault, not his game.
14. Vijay Singh
Singh was known for being intense and focused, but not necessarily self-reflective. If he had an off day, there was usually a reason, and it usually wasn’t him.
13. John Daly
Daly is lovable in his own wild way, but self-blame was rarely part of his vocabulary. Clubs got thrown, courses got roasted, and excuses came flying.
12. Patrick Reed
Reed has a long history of controversy and a short supply of accountability. Rules officials, spectators, and even teammates have all been in the crosshairs before he ever blamed himself.
11. Bubba Watson
For someone with such an imaginative game, Bubba had a hard time imagining he might be the problem. His caddies probably have a long list of grievances to back that up.
10. Colin Montgomerie
Monty was famously fiery and always seemed just one bogey away from blaming the wind—or the entire gallery. If he had a bad round, the golf gods were clearly against him.
9. Tommy Armour III
Armour had the swagger, but when things got rough, excuses weren’t far behind. It was always something external that threw him off.
8. J.B. Holmes
Holmes took heat for his pace of play, but rarely saw himself as part of the problem. When his scorecard looked ugly, there was usually a story to explain it away.
7. Thomas Bjørn
Bjørn was a passionate competitor, but when things unraveled, he was quick to suggest it was circumstance—not execution—that let him down.
6. Henrik Stenson
Stenson could light up a course or blow up a round—and the latter often came with a side of blame. Equipment malfunctions and unlucky breaks were frequent targets.
5. David Duval
Duval’s fall from grace was one of golf’s most dramatic, but you’d rarely hear him own up to it. The media, injuries, and bad timing all got mentions before his own game did.
4. Jean Van de Velde
The collapse at Carnoustie is the stuff of legend, but Van de Velde often framed it as bad fortune, not bad decisions. That water hazard didn’t jump up and bite the ball, Jean.
3. Seve Ballesteros
Seve was brilliant and bold, but also wildly unpredictable—and not too fond of taking blame. If a shot went wrong, there was usually a deeper conspiracy at play.
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2. Greg Norman
Norman had all the tools and too many letdowns, and he rarely took the hit. Whether it was media pressure, unlucky bounces, or just “one of those days,” The Shark always had a narrative.
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1. Phil Mickelson
Phil is a magician with a wedge and a master of misdirection when it comes to accountability. From throwing his driver under the bus to subtly shifting blame with a grin, no one deflects quite like Lefty.
