The Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour features some of the best golfers in the world. What is less well known is that a number of these golfers have been among the most heavy drinkers in sports throughout their careers.
While alcohol may appear to be counterintuitive to the focus and precision required in golf, some players have developed reputations as heavy drinkers who aren’t afraid to have a few cold ones during tournaments and, especially, after rounds.
Let’s take a look at ten of the biggest drinkers to ever play on the PGA Tour. These are players who have been known to consume alcoholic beverages on a regular basis, sometimes in excess, while still maintaining successful golf careers.
John Daly, the Consummate Drinking Golfer
When talking about hardest drinking golfers, one name immediately comes to mind: John Daly. The two-time major champion is almost as well-known for his drinking habits as his incredible driving distance.
Daly frequently consumes cigarettes and alcoholic beverages during competitive rounds, unlike almost all other golfers. Daly’s penchant for drinking did not prevent him from reaching No. 2 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Daly’s love of drinking began when he was introduced to alcohol as a teenager. Even at the height of his golf career, he was known to consume up to a fifth of whiskey or vodka each day.
Daly’s telltale Diet Coke bottle frequently contained alcohol, as he claims he needs whiskey or vodka to calm his nerves on the course. Sponsorships and endorsements dried up over time due to Daly’s drinking, causing financial difficulties.
While Daly insists that he has never had trouble stopping drinking when necessary, heavy drinking has resulted in unfortunate incidents throughout his career as well as personal problems, including four marriages.
Nonetheless, the charismatic Daly remains a popular, if polarizing, figure among golf fans who admire his free-spirited lifestyle.
Lee Trevino Enjoys beer and Tequila
Hall of Fame golfer Lee Trevino is regarded as one of the most colorful characters in PGA Tour history. He also consumed alcoholic beverages during and after his playing career.
Trevino grew up in Texas, where he learned to play golf by sneaking onto courses as a child and earning money. He then spent more than 20 years on tour, winning six major championships and becoming golf’s “Merry Mex.”
Trevino had plenty of opportunities to drink because golf and alcohol were so popular at the time. He became well-known for his love of beer, frequently drinking one for each hole with his playing partners.
Trevino also enjoyed tequila, which he kept in his locker and carried in his bag. Despite enjoying drinking, Trevino stated that he never overindulged until tournaments were over. His ability to control his drinking helped him become one of the greatest golfers of all time.
David Feherty’s Descent into Alcoholism
David Feherty, a former professional golfer turned TV analyst, developed a reputation for heavy drinking both during and after his playing career.
The quick-witted Feherty grew up in Northern Ireland and competed on the European Tour, but struggled with alcohol. He became sober in his early 30s after nearly dying from alcohol poisoning, relapsed, and finally stopped drinking for good in 2005, at the age of 46.
Feherty claims that drinking helped him overcome social anxiety early in his career. But later, alcohol had a negative impact on his golf game, broadcasting work, and personal life.
Feherty was an alcoholic for years, drinking up to 35 drinks per day, and he hit rock bottom before becoming sober. He now openly discusses his struggles with alcoholism and mental health to assist others who may be struggling.
Top Alcohol Consumers On Tour
While the above are some of the most well-known hardest drinking golfers history, other golfers have developed a reputation for regularly imbibing alcohol:
Miguel Angel Jimenez: This Spanish golfer, nicknamed “the Most Interesting Man in Golf,” is based on the popular Dos Equis beer character.
Jimenez clearly lives up to this moniker, as evidenced by his cigar smoking, Rioja wine consumption, and overall longevity on the European tour that spans four decades.
This Spanish golfer is dubbed “the Most Interesting Man in Golf,” after the popular Dos Equis beer character. Jimenez clearly lives up to this moniker, as evidenced by his cigar smoking, Rioja wine consumption, and overall longevity on the European tour that spans four decades.
Tommy Gainey: “Two Gloves” enjoys drinking Maker’s Mark bourbon and Coca-Cola after rounds and has openly admitted to battling alcoholism earlier in his career.
“Two Gloves” enjoys drinking Maker’s Mark bourbon and Coca-Cola after rounds, and he has openly admitted to struggling with alcoholism earlier in his career.
Tiger Woods: Despite his carefully cultivated image for many years, Tiger drank heavily during his infamous sex scandals and subsequent divorce in 2010, before quitting alcohol.
Despite his tightly controlled image for many years, Tiger drank heavily during his infamous sex scandals and subsequent divorce in 2010, before quitting alcohol. Ernie Els: The Big Easy owns several wineries and a beer label, indicating a strong interest in alcohol production in addition to personal consumption.
The Big Easy owns several wineries and a beer label, indicating a strong interest in alcohol production in addition to personal consumption. Phil Mickelson: Lefty is known to regularly consume vodka, wine, and other alcoholic beverages.
He has previously admitted to struggling with not drinking or gambling excessively. And he has famously participated in money matches that included heavy drinking.
The Culture of Drinking in Golf
Alcohol consumption appears to be inextricably linked with golf culture, particularly at the professional level. Beer and liquor companies heavily invest in tournaments and players through sponsorship.
Alcoholic beverages are widely available and frequently free-flowing at most golf tournaments for players, corporate VIPs, media members, and others.
Golfers playing together frequently engage in friendly wagers involving drinking, or players drink while playing in groups. Post-round 19th hole gatherings in clubhouses or pubs have long included a lot of drinking as a way to celebrate victories or console losers.
Even golf fans tailgating at events like the Phoenix Open are known as some of the most inebriated sports fans.
Why Golfers Drink
There are several reasons why drinking and golf appear to mix so well:
- Golf is not a physically demanding sport that, like other sports, prohibits the consumption of alcohol while playing. Shots are spaced apart, and players frequently ride in carts.
- Competing individually rather than in teams gives you more leeway when it comes to drinking while playing.
- High pressure and big money in professional golf cause anxiety, which players may use alcohol to alleviate. Tournaments with large crowds, such as the Phoenix Open, also increase stress levels.
- Boredom and monotony during rounds can lead to drinking, especially if players perform poorly early on.
- Group drinking, similar to what occurs in clubhouses, fosters camaraderie and social connections.
Sponsorships and other commercial relationships with alcohol brands promote drinking.
Consequences of Alcohol Issues
While drinking is acceptable, excessive alcohol consumption can have negative consequences for golfers:
Progressive deterioration of mental and physical health. Increased risk of injury.
Hangovers impair next-day tournament performance. Lack of adequate rest and hydration.
Loss of focus, coordination, and fine motor skills required for solid ball striking. Accuracy and distance decreased.
Personal issues have a negative impact on relationships, finances, and image for athletes who are expected to be role models.
Careers are shortened, and potential is unrealized. In extreme cases, refusal to seek alcoholism treatment may result in a tour ban.
Controlling Alcohol Consumption On Tour
Today, the PGA and LPGA Tours offer alcohol abuse prevention programs to assist golfers in need. Drinking alcohol during competitive rounds is prohibited by USGA rules, and violators face penalties. The increased use of alcohol sensors has also reduced golfers’ covert drinking on the course.
Nonetheless, the tradition and temptation of alcohol continue in professional golf. In contrast to those who struggle with addiction, the majority of players understand how to balance drinking and performance.
Having a few beers or cocktails after play will continue due to the culture, sponsorships, and tendencies to relieve stress from a taxing game.
Final Thoughts
While alcohol abuse is still an issue that needs to be addressed. The popularity of drinking on the PGA Tour has endured for decades. Fan favorite John Daly’s extravagant lifestyle even contributes to golf’s traditions. Ultimately, far more golf professionals drink responsibly than party excessively.
However, the link between hardest drinking golfers beverages and the gentlemanly sport of golf will probably never be completely broken.
