17 Golfers Other Players Secretly Couldn’t Stand

Golf is often regarded as a gentleman’s game, characterized by polite applause and discreet commentary. But behind the scenes, the tension between players can be as thick as the rough at Winged Foot.

Whether it’s because of slow play, ego, or a general vibe that rubbed people the wrong way, some golfers earned themselves more eye rolls. From legends who dominated to personalities who never quite meshed with the locker room, these are the golfers other players quietly couldn’t stand.

17. 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

His Ryder Cup swagger rubbed some the wrong way, especially when he wasn’t exactly dominating outside of team events. Poulter’s confidence often walked the line between inspiring and insufferable.

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

Reed’s reputation for bending the rules hasn’t exactly won him any popularity contests. His teammates and opponents alike have kept their distance more than once.

15. 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

Sergio’s temper and club-throwing tantrums didn’t always make him a fan favorite in the locker room. Add in the occasional grudge, and it’s clear he wasn’t everyone’s go-to dinner companion.

14. 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

Sabbatini was known for playing fast and getting frustrated when others didn’t keep up. That impatience, along with a few odd public comments, made him a polarizing figure on tour.

13. Vijay Singh

Dec 22, 2024; Orlando, Florida, [USA]; Vijay Singh hits a shot out of a bunker on the seventh hole during the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Despite being a dominant player, Singh’s no-nonsense demeanor and icy interactions made him tough to connect with. He wasn’t one for small talk, and players noticed.

12. 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 could be prickly under pressure and wasn’t shy about showing his frustrations. His interactions with fans and fellow pros sometimes left much to be desired.

11. 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

Koepka’s casual attitude toward regular-season events and shots at other players didn’t always land well. His “I only care about majors” persona wore thin for some.

10. 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

Known for his deliberate play, Na became infamous for grinding rounds to a halt. Even fellow slow players thought it was a bit much.

9. 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

Despite his talent, Bubba’s emotional swings and on-course complaints weren’t always appreciated by others. Some called him a difficult partner and described him as having an unpredictable personality.

8. Nick Faldo

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

Faldo’s cold demeanor and methodical approach led to tension during his playing days. Even his success couldn’t shield him from being labeled as standoffish.

7. Tom Watson

Apr 10, 2025; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Tom Watson walks off the no. 1 tee after serving as an honorary starter during the first round of the Masters Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images
Katie Goodale-Imagn Images

A legend of the game, yes, but Watson’s old-school values and occasionally critical comments rubbed some of the newer generation the wrong way. He wasn’t afraid to speak his mind, for better or worse.

6. Gary Player

Gary Player
Wikipedia

The player’s boundless energy and self-promotion, while admirable to fans, could feel overbearing to fellow players. His need to always have the last word didn’t help.

5. 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

Between the science talk, the endless pre-shot routines, and the bulk-up era, Bryson wore on more than a few of his peers. His habit of overanalyzing everything didn’t exactly make rounds fly by.

4. Phil Mickelson

May 15, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Phil Mickelson lines up his putt on the ninth hole during the first round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

Phil’s charming to the media, but behind closed doors, players have whispered about his gamesmanship and calculated nature. Not everyone bought into the thumbs-up routine.

3. 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

The most dominant player of a generation wasn’t exactly warm and fuzzy on tour. Tiger’s competitive tunnel vision left little room for genuine friendships, and many people shared this sentiment.

Read More: 20 Golfers Who Were Basically Villains and Loved It

2. Greg Norman

Feb. 8, 2008; Pebble Beach, CA, USA; Greg Norman follows his ball after hitting off the 11th tee during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament at the Spyglass Hill in Pebble Beach, CA. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Norman’s brash confidence and post-career ventures didn’t always earn respect from his peers. His willingness to ruffle feathers was part of the package.

Read More: Ranking the 15 Most Passive-Aggressive Golfers Ever

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

Known for a glacial pace of play and a stone-faced demeanor, Cantlay has quietly become the guy others dread being paired with. His talent is undeniable, but the vibe is a challenge.

Read More: The 25 Most Petty Golfers of All Time

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