Golf is supposed to be the gentleman’s game, full of calm concentration and polite claps. But sometimes, even the best players lose their cool, and when that fuse blows, it can leave a lasting mark.
From club snaps to on-mic meltdowns, these golfers had all the talent in the world, but their tempers got in the way. Whether it was a one-time outburst or a pattern of blowups, they left fans talking more about their tantrums than their trophies.
14. Pat Perez
Pat Perez could bomb the ball, but his mouth often outdrove his play. His emotional outbursts and brutally honest interviews made him a lightning rod on and off the course.
13. John Peterson
Once seen as a future star, Peterson’s fiery reactions to poor play overshadowed his talent. His visible frustration and social media rants didn’t exactly scream mental toughness.
12. Robert Allenby
Allenby was known for his sharp tongue, and it wasn’t always aimed at himself. Between blaming caddies and controversy after controversy, his temper often took center stage.
11. Rory Sabbatini
Sabbatini was never shy about speaking his mind—or slamming a club. His hot-headed antics made headlines more often than his leaderboard finishes.
10. Sergio Garcia
Sergio was a fan favorite—until he started spitting into cups and destroying bunkers. His passion sometimes boiled over into petulance, dimming the shine of his impressive résumé.
9. Ian Poulter
Poulter’s fiery personality helped in team events, but it didn’t always translate well individually. His short fuse with media, fans, and even his own game hurt his likability.
8. Bryson DeChambeau
Bryson brought science to the game, but not always sportsmanship. His frequent arguments with rules officials and tendency to blame everything but himself rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.
7. Kevin Na
Kevin Na’s slow play already annoyed fans, but his visible frustration when things went wrong didn’t help his case. The constant muttering and club drops turned sympathy into eye rolls.
6. Bubba Watson
Despite being a Masters champ, Bubba often came off more sour than sweet. His scolding of caddies and visible anger during rounds made fans question his sportsmanship.
5. Tommy Armour III
Known for some truly epic club tosses, Armour let his emotions fly as freely as his irons. His name is remembered as much for meltdowns as it is for scorecards.
4. Woody Austin
Austin once fell into a lake mid-round—and that wasn’t the most memorable moment of his temper-fueled career. From snapping putters to dramatic reactions, he was always one swing away from a scene.
Read More: 20 Athletes Who Played with Passion and a Temper
3. Henrik Stenson
Stenson could be ice-cold with his irons—and boiling hot with his emotions. Fans never knew if they’d see a birdie or a broken club when he stepped onto the tee box.
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2. Tiger Woods
Yes, Tiger. His dominance is unmatched, but so were his televised tirades. From expletive-laced rants to mid-round blowups, his temper occasionally cracked his carefully crafted image.
Read More: 19 Golfers Who Had More Confidence Than Consistency
1. John Daly
Nobody combined talent and temper like Daly. The guy could win majors or walk off mid-round, depending on how he felt—and his legendary blowups became part of golf lore.
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