I am not 100% certain that golfers do much trash talking. I understand we do poke fun during a friendly, however I am not so sure that it is acceptable to taunt your opponent during a tournament. I can say without hesitation that it has never happened during any group I played in during competition. Having said that, there does seem to be instances where trash talking / taunting is all part of the show.
The match that immediately comes to mind was the 2016 Ryder Cup Match between Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed. It was a crazy 18 holes and the fans were completely entertained.
I will say that the McIlroy / Reed match was an anomaly. I have not watched anything that intense in any other event. Well, excluding the 16th hole at the Waste Management Phoenix Open where the fans do the taunting. 😉
Basically, most golfers are subdued and only focus on their game. From time to time there might be a quiet disagreement, but rarely anything overt during play. Of course trash talking would not sit well with the etiquette committee, but I wonder if there is room for trash talking in golf. What do you think?
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
Pingback: Do You Trash Talk Playing Golf? – Caddylaker
Jim, the pros give each other the needle during friendlies but usually reserve trash talking for off the course – like on Twitter. I view it as unsportsmanlike in any activity and do not partake.
Thanks,
Brian
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Brian,
I poke fun at my friends during a friendly, but I am very reserved when playing in competition. Golf definitely has a different view on trash talking…..which I like.
Cheers Jim
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Depends on who I’m playing with and what their mood is. If I’m trash talking, I’m having fun. Not trying to beat you down. And more often than not I’m returning it, not starting it. But I don’t play tournament golf.
As to whether it should be allowed in tournament play I say yes. Tiger has taught his son to trash talk. And I’m sure he’s given him some thoughts on when not to as well and how far to take it when he does do it as well as how not to allow it to get into his head. You don’t need to be trash talking someone who has less game than you. But, then again, you don’t want them to be feeling left out either. lol
There are thousands of instances documented over the years of US and Euro pro’s engaging in it. McIlroy and Reed did some more at the 2018 Masters for instance. Tigers is famous for it. Michelson credits Kuchar with being best at it and Michelson is no slouch according to others. I think where this is concerned it’s a case of either joining the crowd or stealing yourself against it at the pro level at least. And I wouldn’t doubt that every level up from our club championships has more than the next.
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Kevin,
I enjoy reading your perspective. I am not so sure that trash talking actually occurs during play. I am thinking that most of it happens after the fact. Social media has made it simpler to trash talk without any interaction. Not sure I like that form of trash talking, but that is the way of the future it seems.
Cheers Jim
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Oh, I’m sure it happens during play all right. I’ve heard it myself at Valspar when I’ve managed to get close enough. The thing is they manage to be subtle with their digs at each other. They’re pro’s in every aspect of the game.
I remember hearing a story from one pro about an interaction he had with Phil on the the first tee on a Sunday. It seems they both had the same new ball and both were marked number 5. He commented questioning how Phil got that number thinking the manufacturer had given it just to him. Special. Phil replied, no dummy, they did it for me because of my 5 majors. That set him back a bit but Phil was just needling him as it turned out. Wish I could remember who that was. He made that story funnier than I have. It was trash talk though. Plain and simple. Just a quick dig before they began their day.
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Kevin,
The quiet, behind the camera shenanigans is something most of us miss out on for sure. Thanks for sharing your memory.
Cheers Jim
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