14 Things You Didn't Know About John Daly

Get to know the charismatic American with these 14 things you didn't know.

14 Things You Didn't Know About John Daly
(Image credit: Getty Images)

14 Things You Didn't Know About John Daly

Two-time Major winner John Daly is one of the most eccentric and popular players to ever play the game so why not take a look at these 14 things you didn't know about him here.

14 Things You Didn't Know About John Daly

1. Born in California in 1966, Daly actually grew up in Arkansas and he started playing the game at 4 years old.

2. His first set of clubs were an adult set he cut down. They were so long and heavy that on his backswing the club kept going past parallel - in short these clubs created Daly's famous swing.

3. Daly famously won the 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick as the ninth alternate.

4. He has recorded his own country and western music, including an album called My Life.

5. His nicknames are Wild Thing, The Lion and Long John.

6. He won five times on the PGA Tour between 1991 and 2004.

7. In 1995 after winning the British Open in a playoff over Constantino Rocca, he put chocolate ice-cream in the Claret Jug instead of alcohol or Diet Coke.

Wearing trousers made by Loudmouth Golf (Getty Images)

8. Daly and his son John Daly II signed with Hooters in 2022. The two-time Major winner and his son will promote the risqué US restaurant chain via social media and branded apparel

9. Daly supposedly hates flying. This explains why he bought his huge RV and drove to tournaments instead.

10. He is 'credited' by the PGA Tour with having the highest ever score on a single hole - he had an 18 on a par-5 during the 1998 Bay Hill Invitational.

11. The American claims in his autobiography to have lost $50-$60 million in gambling.

12. He has three children called Shynna, Sierra and John Junior.

13. Daly is the only two-time Major winning American not to play in the Ryder Cup.

14. Daly led the PGA Tour in driving distance 11 times.

Sam Tremlett
E-commerce Editor

A golfer for most of his life, Sam is Golf Monthly's E-commerce Editor.

Working with golf gear and equipment over the last six years, Sam has quickly built outstanding knowledge and expertise on golf products ranging from drivers, to balls, to shoes. 

He combines this knowledge with a passion for helping golfers get the best gear for them, and as such Sam manages a team of writers that look to deliver the most accurate and informative reviews and buying advice. This takes the form of buying guides, reviews, supporting gear content as well as creating deal content.

This is so the reader can find exactly what they are looking for, at a good price.


Sam now spends most of his time testing and looking after golf gear content for the website, whilst he is also responsible for all content related to golf apparel. 

Additionally Sam oversees Golf Monthly voucher/coupon content which seeks to find you the best offers and promotions from well-known brands like Callaway, TaylorMade and many more.


Unfortunately, Sam is not a member of any club at the moment but regularly gets out on the golf course to keep up the facade of having a single-figure handicap. 


Sam's What's In The Bag: 

Driver: Cobra LTDxLS (9 degrees) 

Fairway Wood: Ping G430 Max (15 degrees), Nike Covert Tour 2.0 (19 degrees) 

Irons (4-PW): Titleist AP2 

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 54˚, 58˚ 

Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 

Ball: Srixon Z-Star Diamond

Shoes: G/FORE Gallivanter/Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour 3/Cuater The Ringer
(For off the course he goes for Nike Jordan 1 Low G shoes as well)