17 Golfers Who Mastered the Art of Being Annoying

Golf is supposed to be the gentleman’s game—quiet, respectful, and dignified. But now and then, a player comes along who manages to throw a wrench in that whole “tradition” thing by being just a little too loud, too smug, too slow, or just plain irritating.

Whether they rubbed fans the wrong way, ticked off their playing partners, or were just a constant presence on every highlight reel for all the wrong reasons, these guys found a way to get under the sport’s skin. From over-the-top antics to endless rules drama, these golfers mastered the art of being annoying—and wore it like a green jacket.

17. Sergio Garcia

Apr 11, 2025; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Sergio Garcia putts on no. 18 during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images
Katie Goodale-Imagn Images

He’s talented, no doubt, but Sergio’s temper tantrums made him hard to root for. The club throwing, bunker digging, and on-course whining didn’t help his image.

16. Patrick Reed

May 16, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Patrick Reed hits his ball out of the bunker on the fifteenth hole during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

There’s always drama when Reed’s around, and it’s usually not the fun kind. Between rules controversies and general smugness, he’s become golf’s ultimate villain.

15. Bryson DeChambeau

May 18, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Bryson DeChambeau takes a shot on the 18th hole during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The scientist of golf turned heads with his bulked-up body and endless calculations. But his slow play and constant explanations of air density made him exhausting to watch.

14. Ian Poulter

Sep 22, 2024; Carrolton, Texas, USA; Ian Poulter plays his shot from the tenth tee during the LIV Golf Dallas Team Championship Finals at Maridoe Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images
Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images

He lives for the Ryder Cup and lets everyone know it—loudly. Poulter’s cockiness and over-the-top reactions rub plenty of fans the wrong way.

13. Brooks Koepka

May 16, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Brooks Koepka during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

For a guy who claims not to care, he sure talks a lot. The endless jabs at other players and his too-cool-for-school attitude can get old fast.

12. Kevin Na

Apr 4, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Kevin Na plays his shot from the third tee during the first round of the LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Watching him walk in on a putt is fun the first time. But when his pre-shot routine takes forever, even his fans start to lose patience.

11. Bubba Watson

Jun 8, 2025; Gainesville, Virginia, USA; Bubba Watson of team RangeGoats GC putts on the fourth hole during the final round of the LIV Golf Virginia golf tournament at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

He’s got all the talent in the world, but he doesn’t exactly win the popularity contest. Complaints, blow-ups, and awkward interviews became part of his brand.

10. Colin Montgomerie

Team Europe member Colin Montgomerie chips onto the par three, fifth hole on the first day of competition of the inaugural World Champions Cup three-day, three-team competition Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2023 at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida
Mike Lang / USA TODAY NETWORK

Monty was a great player with a famously short fuse. His grumpy demeanor and constant complaining didn’t exactly endear him to American crowds.

9. Vijay Singh

Vijay Singh tees off on 1 to start the final round of The Galleri Classic at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Sunday, March 30, 2025
Taya Gray/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Vijay’s intensity was legendary, but so was his coldness. He was never one for charm, and his frequent friction with the media didn’t help.

8. Rory Sabbatini

May 23, 2024; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Rory Sabbatini putts on the 11th green during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Known for bizarre behavior and a few verbal spats, Sabbatini was unpredictable in all the worst ways. Teammates and opponents alike often found him hard to deal with.

7. Phil Mickelson

Jun 10, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Phil Mickelson hits from the tenth tee box during a practice round for the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Yes, he’s beloved by many, but not everyone buys the whole “man of the people” act. Between the gambling stories and LIV drama, the Lefty love isn’t exactly universal.

6. Jordan Spieth

Jun 15, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Jordan Spieth plays his shot from the first tee during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Spieth’s constant self-talk and back-and-forth with his caddie can make a round feel like a therapy session. It’s excellent for mic’d-up moments, but less significant when you want to watch golf.

5. J.B. Holmes

Mar 30, 2023; San Antonio, Texas, USA; J.B. Holmes plays his shot from the first tee during the first round of the Valero Texas Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

His painfully slow pace of play became a running joke among tour players. If you’ve ever watched a final round with Holmes, you probably aged a few years in the process.

4. Rory McIlroy

May 18, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Rory McIlroy watches his shot on the 15th hole during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

He’s always in the news, whether it’s for taking a stand, taking a jab, or taking a fall on Sunday. At some point, the nonstop coverage and strong opinions get a little tiresome.

3. John Daly

John Daly hits a tee shot on the second hole during the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club
Nathan Ray Seebeck / Imagn Images

The pants, the cigarettes, the Diet Cokes—it’s a lot. Daly’s circus act sometimes overshadows his actual golf game.

Read More: Why These Are the 5 Most Annoying Fanbase in the NFL

2. Tiger Woods

Dec 21, 2024; Orlando, Florida, [USA]; Tiger Woods tees off on the fifth hole during the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Look, he’s the GOAT—but the icy stare, media control, and dominance rubbed a lot of rivals the wrong way. Fans adored him, but behind the ropes, it wasn’t all fist pumps and high-fives.

Read More: Ranking the 20 Most Self-Obsessed Golfers of All Time

1. Patrick Cantlay

Patrick Cantlay tees off on No. 15 during a practice round for the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio on May 27, 2025
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

His golf game is elite. But his glacial pace of play and complete lack of expression make every round feel like a slow-moving documentary on grass growing.

Read More: 15 Golfers That Let One Major Loss Define Their Era

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