We’ve all hit pretty bad golf shots. Admit it. We’ve sliced, shanked, hooked, flubbed and skulled our way through many rounds of 18. We’ve hit trees, wildlife, carts, sides of barns, even other golfers!
Oh well, no one’s ever gotten hurt…not seriously anyway. So we keep playing. But I remember the first time I legitimately thought I was going to see some actual damage as the result of a bad shot.
Playing down in Hilton Head, one of our FORE!some hooked his drive directly at a fairway condo. We all watched in horror, knowing exactly where the ball was headed. It could hit anywhere on the backside of that house…but it won’t. We all knew that ball’s only intention was to hit that sliding glass door. And we helplessly stared, tracking the balls flight for what seemed like hours, waiting for the inevitable sound of shattering glass. But it never came. By some minor miracle, the ball bounced off the glass and ricocheted around the deck five or six times, sounding like an episode of This Old House, before it disappeared in some tall grass, never to be seen again. A collective sigh of relief filled the tee box, and down the fairway we went.
Now had the ball actually broken that glass, while making for a great golf story, it would still pale in comparison to this guy (thanks for the link Jay). A 25 acre blaze. From the spark created by a metal club hitting a rock. Now THAT is a disastrous golf shot.
While there has been some speculation as to the truth behind this story (I, for one, believe the fire was much more likely started by a cigar or cigarette, but why would he ever admit to that?), it’s likely going to be recognized as the most disastrous golf shot, or at least one of golf’s tallest tales, of all time.
This gets me thinking about what other golf shots wound up in catastrophic results. So I need some help. What is the most unfortunate result of a golf shot you have ever hit or witnessed? Let’s even take it a step further. In the spirit Mr. California Wildfire, what is the best cover story you’ve ever heard or taken part in due to the result of an unfortunate golf shot?
So let’s hear from everyone! Oh, and by the way, if necessary…feel free to post anonymously.
I had a very similar situation not to long ago.
The house I was living in was on the second hole of this course. We never really had a problem with stray golf balls while we were there. Occasionally I would find a loose ball, and sometimes a golfer would walk into the yard. I tended to pay no mind, given that we’ve all been there.
Well wouldn’t I be the first one to hit the house with a stray tee shot. Thankfully I missed any windows, but there was still a dent in the siding after I moved. Priceless and scary at the same time.
Good blog!
You set the bar too high. No one could possibly top the Firestarter.