What Is a Sandbagger in Golf and How To Spot One

Golf is the classic gentleman’s game. Nice dress, manners, friendly demeanor, and giving strokes to level the playing field make golf a special sport — especially compared to other athletics where cheating and doping are rampant. No, you won’t find any Happy Gilmores around here.

But a few dirty players can’t help themselves. Across the amateur rank, sandbagger golf is a widely used tactic to gain an upper hand in tournaments, skins games, stroke play, or casual bets.

Learn more about sandbagging in golf, how to identify sandbaggers, and what you can do to stop these charlatans from making a mockery of the game.

What Is Sandbagger Golf?

A sandbagger in golf — or one who practices sandbagger golf — is a golfer who intentionally inflates their golf handicap to appear far worse than they actually are. It’s a discreet form of cheating — as opposed to falsifying a scorecard, pushing or scooping with a putter, or kicking a ball onto the fairway — but cheating nonetheless. On top of this deceit, a sandbagger claims they’ve been shooting poorly as of late or are only good on certain courses.

To achieve this nefarious title, sandbaggers deliberately play poorly by missing shots, using the wrong golf club, or even playing with range golf balls. Following their terrible rounds, sandbaggers use the USGA’s Golf Handicap & Information Network (GHIN) to record their scores.

Posting scores far below their abilities allows these cheaters to reduce their handicap indexes via the USGA-governed World Handicap System. To exacerbate the issue, the USGA has consistently encouraged handicappers to report their scores on each round rather than in competition or tournament play — allowing sandbagger golf to remain a viable option for the unscrupulous golfer.

How To Spot a Sandbagger in Golf

Despite their attempts to play off the situation with charm or invent fallacies to explain their sudden golfing prowess, sandbaggers are easier to spot than you might think. If you suspect someone is a sandbagger in golf or want to familiarize yourself with their behavior, learn a few ways to spot one below.

Missed Putts

Sandbagger golfers may blame the grass on the green, a poor read, or lack of practice on the putting green. But if you see them consistently miss putts inside five feet, that’s a good sign they’re sandbagging.

You Never See Them Practice

Any respectable golfer spends a decent amount of time practicing on the green or driving range. Yet you never seem to find Mr. Sandbagger practicing at all. They may say that they haven’t had time to practice or that their job is a demanding mistress — when in reality, they’re always practicing — just when no one’s looking.

Enjoyment of Libations

In a friendly setting or a warm summer day, indulging in a few libations on the course is — well, par for the course. But if you’re playing with a sandbagger, they may use a few brewskis to mask their talent.

If you notice the alleged imbibing in one too many and missing several shots at the end of the round, it’s a telltale sign they’re engaging in some sandbagger golf.

Failure To Close

Because a sandbagger is far better than their stats or conversation would assume, they must find clever ways to inflate their score. One way is to let their score get out of control at the end of the round.

If the sandbagger golfer leads late in the round with little chance of losing the lead, they may mail in the last few holes. For example, if they have a five-stroke lead with only two holes to play, you may see them hitting a bogey or double-bogey to intentionally ruin their score.

4 Effective Ways To Deal With a Sandbagger

Unfortunately, not every person who picks up a wedge in a tournament, league, or skins play is a gentleman. Sandbaggers have the inconspicuousness to let them walk among the honest, often with little chance of being caught. That is, unless you’re almost 100% certain they’re sandbagging.

If you think you have a sandbagger in your midst, try a few of these effective suggestions to deal with their improprieties.

1. The Diplomatic Approach

If you want to avoid a nasty scene, the diplomatic approach is often the best option. Instead of exhibiting passive-aggressive behavior, combine flattery with pragmatism. Tell them they're a clutch player in a soft, Jim Nantz-like voice. Follow that with a suggestion that they may want to lower their handicap to reflect their golfing aptitude.

2. Call ‘Em Out

Most people avoid confrontation at all costs. It’s uncomfortable, can drive a rift between people, and turn you into the bad guy. But if you’re sure that you’re golfing with a sandbagger, the most direct way to broach the topic is by a straight-up call-out.

You may lose a friend through this method, but it’s a surefire approach to cut the BS. Don’t mince words; speak directly and let them have it with a thorough tongue-lashing. Don’t be surprised if you’re not invited to the next barbecue or country club lunch.

3. Be Better

Playing against better competition is a proven way to become a better player in your own right. Just because someone’s engaging in sandbagger golf doesn’t necessarily mean you need to call them out or say anything. Instead, use it as a catalyst to improve your game.

Enter yourself in a few best ball or golf scrambles, test out a few new clubs, practice, use a golf-swing app — whatever you must do to get the upper hand and finally defeat your newly crowned arch-nemesis.

4. Look the Other Way

To some degree, sandbagger golf is a cry for attention. They don’t believe they can win through fair play, so they cook up a scheme to emerge victorious. Perhaps it’s compulsive behavior.

But like any cry for attention, the best answer is to look the other way. How you do it, however, can have a drastic impact. You can pity them, gripe behind their back, give them the cold shoulder, or just take the sandbagging in stride. The idea is that you’re not giving any extra attention to the sandbagger while giving subtle hints that you’re onto their scheme.

Where Does the Term Sandbagger Come From?

Few etymological conversations are stimulating enough for casual chit-chat, but the origin of sandbagger and its inclusion on the golf course is more interesting than most.

According to studies, sandbagger came from the use of a sandbag as a weapon among hoodlums and gang members in the late 19th century. Think “Gangs of New York,” but with sandbags instead of hatchets and knives.

Using sandbags in fighting became antiquated, but the sandbagger term continued in the poker room. According to linguists, sandbagger became a popular title for poker players who refused to raise on a good hand to keep their opponents in the game for longer.

The bridge between poker and golf has never been solved, but the long-lasting tradition of gambling and the links is likely how the term crossed over to golf lingo.

Two of the Most Famous Golf Sandbaggers

Though the PGA Tour has no notorious sandbaggers, several amateur golf hustlers have admitted to sandbagging or been accused over the years. Golf Digest’s 1995 write-up of a Texas golf hustler and subsequent podcast highlighted the most egregious sandbagger golf tactics, but the man remains anonymous.

However, a few golfers have been noted for sandbagging over the years — including some names you might recognize.

Aaron Rodgers

In February 2023, Aaron Rodgers and PGA pro Ben Silverman won the PGA’s Pro-Am Tournament at Pebble Beach — one of the most famous courses in the world. For an athlete such as Rodgers to be a great golfer isn’t too far-fetched; many world-class athletes become respectable golfers during and after their playing days.

Even with a handicap of 3, Rodgers was gifted 10 strokes during the tournament, causing Bills QB Josh Allen to ridicule the former Packers QB and Allen’s teammate Keith Mitchell to call the sandbagging, “total crap.”

Paul Bissonette

With the nickname “Biz Nasty,” former Pittsburgh Penguins left winger Paul Bisonette shouldn’t come as a surprise as a legendary golf sandbagger. Though he’s never been outed for sandbagger golf in tournaments or pro-am events, many players — including former teammate Sidney Crosby — have accused Bissonette of rampant sandbagging.

He’s publicly defended himself numerous times, calling his stellar play against opponents “the best front nine of my life.” However, the jury’s still out on whether this former bruiser is indeed a sandbagger at golf.

Avoid Sandbagger Golf by Hitting the Links

You don’t need to sandbag to become a revered and respected opponent on the golf course. Heck, you don’t even need a caddie to tell you how to play. You just have to practice, play consistently, and do a few other things — read golf books, get fitted for golf clubs, etc. With the right mindset, you don’t have to be — as Owen Wilson said in “Wedding Crashers” — a sandbaggin’ son of a bitch.