Tiger’s Return, Putting Meltdowns, and the Weirdest Golf Gifts
Ollie Silverton and Euan Porter are wrapping up the year with a festive, banter-filled episode of Chipping In. From the technical woes of professional putting to the legendary antics of John Daly, this episode is a hole-in-one for those who enjoy the lighter side of golf.
Tiger Woods and the "Charlie Factor"
With Tiger Woods making another highly anticipated return at the PNC Championship alongside his son Charlie, the guys debate whether the "Tiger hype" still has its old shine. Euan, while still excited, notes the reality of Tiger’s limited schedule.
"The shine of it all has just worn off a little bit... he’s playing four times a year, other players are playing 20-25 times a year. It’s impossible to be competitive with that lack of golf under your belt," Euan observes. He does, however, think the Champions Tour is in Tiger's future: "I think the fact that he can take a cart legally there will be beneficial."
Putting Nightmares: From Ernie Els to "AimPoint" Grinches
The conversation takes a sharp turn into the "dark arts" of putting. Ollie admits he’s become a bit of a Grinch regarding AimPoint—the practice of players standing on the green and using their fingers to gauge the slope.
"It looks like a bunch of lemons standing halfway towards the hole with their fingers in the air," Ollie jokes. Euan agrees, adding that it overcomplicates the game: "Most elite golfers putted their best when they were kids because they didn’t overanalyze... get rid of AimPoint!"
They also recount some of the most famous putting meltdowns in history, including Ernie Els’s infamous six-putt from three feet at the Masters. "The amazing thing is the next week at Hilton Head, he led the putting stats," Euan shares. "It gives us all hope!"
The Legend of John Daly
No golf talk is complete without John Daly stories. Euan recalls a moment at the 2011 Australian Open where Daly, after hitting several balls into the water "Tin Cup style," simply walked off the course while his fiancée slapped a photographer.
But it’s not all bad-boy antics. Euan highlights Daly's massive heart, specifically how he paid for the college tuition of two girls whose father was killed by lightning at the 1991 PGA Championship. "That just really shows what a kind man he is deep down," Euan says.
Christmas Gifts and the "U-Club"
As the episode winds down, the hosts share their picks for the best (and weirdest) golf gifts. Euan is gunning for a suction cap for his putter grip so he doesn't have to bend down—a true "Champions Tour" move.
Ollie, however, takes the prize for the most bizarre find: the "U-Club" (or Euro Club), a portable urinating device disguised as a golf club. "It’s an empty shaft... it comes with a towel to cover your modesty," Ollie explains to a bewildered Euan. "The rating for this show just went from 15+ to 18+!"
Quick Tips for the Green:
- Grip Pressure: Think of it like holding a tube of toothpaste or a "blue tit" (bird)—don't squash it!
- Hitting with Authority: To stop deceleration on short putts, imagine trying to hit a tee placed in the back of the cup.
- The "Shamble" Format: A great holiday game where everyone tees off, you take the best drive, and everyone plays their own ball from there.
Watch the full festive episode on Fanatics TV.
