14 Moments When Golfers Completely Lost Their Cool

Golf is supposed to be a gentleman’s game—quiet, composed, respectful. But now and then, the pressure gets too high, the putts won’t drop, and a golfer absolutely snaps.

From club throws to verbal meltdowns to full-on tantrums, the sport has seen plenty of outbursts that belong more on a reality show than a golf course. These are the moments when the pros lost their cool and gave fans a glimpse of just how frustrating golf can be, even at the highest level.

14. Rory Sabbatini’s Speed Golf Statement

Jun 30, 2022; Silvis, Illinois, USA; Rory Sabbatini of Bratislava Slovakia tees off of the sixth hole during the first round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Sabbatini once walked ahead of his playing partner and hit out of turn to make a point about the pace of play. Nothing like passive-aggressive protest on the PGA Tour.

13. Sergio Garcia vs. The Sand Trap

Jun 7, 2025; Gainesville, Virginia, USA; Sergio Garcia of team Fireballs GC hits a tee shot on the fifteenth hole during the second round of the LIV Golf Virginia golf tournament at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

During a frustrating bunker shot meltdown, Sergio went full rage mode and took multiple hacks at the sand. It looked less like a golf shot and more like he was digging for buried treasure.

12. Tiger Woods Tosses His Club in 2010

Oct 6, 2011; San Martin, CA, USA; Tiger Woods warms up on the putting green during the first round of the Frys.com Open at CordeValle Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images
Allan Henry-Imagn Images

Even the GOAT loses it sometimes—Tiger once chucked his club after an errant drive at the Masters. When Tigers tick, the whole gallery can feel it.

11. Matt Every’s Epic Club Slam

Jul 7, 2022; Nicholasville, Kentucky, USA; Matt Every plays his shot from the 15th fairway during the first round of the Barbasol Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Matt Every absolutely annihilated his club after a missed shot, slamming it into the turf like it owed him money. The ground probably felt that one for weeks.

10. Ian Poulter’s Broken Iron

Ian Poulter plays his shot from the tenth tee during the LIV Golf Dallas Team Championship Finals at Maridoe Golf Club.
Jim Cowsert / Imagn Images

After a poor shot at the Open Championship, Poulter bent his club like it was made of rubber. He then had to finish the round with one less iron and one more grudge.

9. Henrik Stenson’s Water Hazard Meltdown

[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] May 2, 2024; SINGAPORE; Henrik Stenson during the first round of LIV Golf Singapore golf tournament at Sentosa Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Edgar Su/Reuters via Imagn Images
Edgar Su via Imagn Images

Stenson once took a dip in a water hazard—not to fish out a ball, but to throw a club in frustration. At least he committed to the bit.

8. Keegan Bradley’s Heated Exchange

May 18, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Keegan Bradley tees off on the third hole during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Bradley got into a weirdly tense verbal spat with Miguel Ángel Jiménez during a rules disagreement. It was awkward, intense, and completely out of character for a pro event.

7. Bubba Watson Yells at His Caddie

Jun 11, 2019; Pebble Beach, CA, USA; Bubba Watson talks with his caddie Ted Scott on the eighth green during a practice round of the 2019 U.S. Open golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images
Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

Bubba got caught on camera chewing out his longtime caddie for what he thought was a bad club selection. It wasn’t a great look for a guy known for his emotional play.

6. Justin Thomas’ Mic’d-Up F-Bombs

June 30, 2023; Detroit, MI, USA; Justin Thomas tees off on the sixth hole during the second round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic on Friday, June 29, 2023, at the Detroit Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kirthmon F. Dozier-Imagn Images
Detroit Free Press-Imagn Images

Thomas forgot—or maybe didn’t care—that microphones were everywhere and dropped some serious profanity after a missed putt. The network censors were working overtime that day.

5. Patrick Reed’s Sand Controversy Blow-Up

Jun 28, 2025; Carrollton, Texas, USA; Patrick Reed watches his shot from the second tee during the second round of the LIV Golf Dallas golf tournament at Maridoe Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Reed lost it when questioned about a bunker shot that looked suspiciously like a rules violation. His defensive, fired-up response only added fuel to the fire.

4. John Daly Rips Off His Shirt

John Daly approaches the 11th green during the pro-am of the Galleri Classic at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif
Andy Abeyta / Imagn Images

Big John once tore off his shirt in frustration after a horrible hole, walking off the course looking like he just finished a bar fight. Only Daly could turn a golf meltdown into WWE cosplay.

3. Bryson DeChambeau’s Driver Dig

Jun 10, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Bryson DeChambeau plays his shot from the ninth tee during a practice round for the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

After a rough day off the tee at The Open, Bryson blamed his driver in front of the media. His equipment sponsor definitely wasn’t thrilled, and the internet had a field day.

Read More: 14 Golfers Who Were One Win Away from Greatness

2. Brooks Koepka’s Post-Round Rant

Brooks Koepka watches his shot while on the 18th fairway during the 125TH US Open at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, PA on June 15, 2025
Michael Longo / For USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

After a brutal round, Koepka unloaded on everything from course conditions to his putting stroke. It was less of an interview and more of a live therapy session.

Read More: 15 Golfers Who Could Never Let Anything Go

1. Sergio Garcia’s Full-On Course Vandalism

Apr 9, 2025; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Sergio Garcia plays on the second green during a practice round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Garcia once damaged several greens during a European Tour event after getting frustrated with his play. It was so bad he got disqualified—and had to apologize afterward publicly.

Read More: Ranking the 5 Most Overrated Golfers of All Time

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