Watched Luke Littler Try Golf and Now I Need Eye Bleach

By Lewis Barnett 25 July, 2025 4 mins read 179 Views

Honestly? I've seen some disasters in my time covering sports, but watching Luke Littler attempt crazy golf during the World Matchplay break was like watching a car crash in slow motion.

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The Kid Can't Putt (And That's Putting It Nicely)

So there's Littler, fresh off his mental comeback against Jermaine Wattimena - you know, the one where he was down 7-2 and somehow clawed back to win 13-11. Guy's got nerves of steel when there's a dartboard involved. Put him on a mini golf course though? Different story entirely.

Sky Sports dragged him out for what I assume was supposed to be light entertainment before his quarter-final against Andrew Gilding tonight. Poor bastard looked like he'd never held a putter in his life.

When Happy Gilmore Meets Reality TV

The footage is genuinely painful to watch. There's this one hole - just a simple shot through a tiny wooden cabin - and Littler's standing there like he's trying to solve quantum physics. At one point (and I'm not making this up) he actually knocked his ball clean off the green onto the paving stones.

The internet, being the internet, immediately started roasting him.

"Littler holding a putter like he's Happy f*****g Gilmore," one fan posted, and honestly? Spot on. The resemblance to Adam Sandler's hockey-player-turned-golfer character was uncanny. Same confused grip, same wild swings, same complete lack of... well, any technique whatsoever.

At Least He Didn't Quit

Credit where it's due though - just like that Wattimena match, the kid didn't give up. Eventually got the ball through that stupid cabin and managed a smile for the cameras. Still looked like he was holding the putter backwards, but hey.

One Twitter user summed it up perfectly: "Never seen a putter before." Another just wrote "Mr Bean was better." Harsh but fair.

Look, we all have our talents. Littler can hit a 180 like it's nothing, became world champion at 17, and just pulled off one of the best comebacks I've seen this year. But golf? Maybe stick to the oche, mate.

Back to What Actually Matters

Anyway, he's got Gilding tonight in the quarters. After watching that golf performance, I'm actually more confident in his darts game than ever.

Sometimes you need to see someone completely out of their element to appreciate just how good they are at their actual job.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I improve my dart throwing technique?

Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.

Is it worth spending more money on expensive darts?

The question of dart investment really depends on your commitment level and budget. You don't need to spend a fortune, but there's definitely a quality threshold worth crossing.

Can you recommend some fun dart games for parties?

Absolutely! Darts doesn't have to be all about 501 and cricket. For parties, you want games that keep everyone involved, accommodate different skill levels, and create some friendly competition.

Wait, so how exactly do you score in darts? I always get confused.

Dart scoring is straightforward once you get the hang of it! The standard game (501 or 301) starts with that number, and you subtract whatever you hit with each throw. The goal is to reach exactly zero, with your final dart landing in a double.

What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?

The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.

I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?

This is probably the most common frustration in darts—those dreaded 5s and 1s when you're aiming for the 20 segment! The good news is that this specific problem usually stems from a few identifiable issues.

Statistics

A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).

External Links

How To

Mastering Your Grip & Stance

There's no single "correct" way to hold a dart, but there are definitely wrong ways. Most players use 3 fingers (thumb, index, middle) with the dart resting primarily on the middle finger. Some pros use 4 or even 5 fingers, but I'd suggest starting with 3.