It’s a common occurrence at professional golf tournaments for spectators to yell out “mashed potatoes!” when players hit their tee shots. This strange tradition has become ingrained in golf culture over the years, but leaves many people scratching their heads wondering where it came from and what it means.
History and Origins
The exact origins of yelling “mashed potatoes” at golf tournaments is unclear, but it seems to date back to at least the 1970s. Some theories suggest it could have started with fans of golfer Lee Trevino, who was known for hitting soft, high arching shots. The trajectory of his shots was likened to scooping mashed potatoes into the air.
Another possible origin comes from the late Payne Stewart, who fans would refer to as “mashed potatoes” because of his old-fashioned knickers style pants. Stewart was at the height of his popularity in the 1990s when the mashed potato calls started becoming widespread.
The phrase is also thought to be a joking reference to basic cafeteria food or a bland dish like mashed potatoes. Essentially calling a great golf shot by an ordinary food name is a form of irony and humor. It also helps viewers distinguish their favorite player’s drives.
When and Why Fans Yell It
Mashed potato calls mostly occur during professional tournaments when players are teeing off at holes. Fans will yell the phrase just as the golfer makes contact with the ball on their drive. It happens randomly throughout tournaments, usually multiple times per day.
People seem to yell it when players hit an exceptionally long, straight, and accurate drive. So it’s a way for spectators to cheer on golfers when they execute a great tee shot. The better the drive, the more likely fans are to start yelling mashed potatoes.
Some players seem to inspire more mashed potato calls than others. Golfers with aggressive and powerful swings like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, and Brooks Koepka often have fans shouting it during their tee shots. Their booming drives are perfect for triggering the mashed potato yell.
Other Variations
While mashed potatoes remains the most popular phrase, there are other food-related calls that fans will use as well:
– French fries
– Baked potato
– Meatloaf
– Steak and potatoes
– Mac and cheese
These all play on the potato reference while throwing in other hearty or comfort foods as a variation. Baked potato and steak and potatoes are some other common calls heard at golf events.
There are also regional differences in what food phrase is used. For instance, at events in the Southern U.S., fans may opt for “pimento cheese” or “chicken biscuit” rather than mashed potatoes.
Response from Golfers
The mashed potato yells are usually intended as encouragement and praise for good shots. Most pro golfers don’t seem to mind the calls and take them as a compliment. Some have even referenced enjoying the fan interaction.
However, there have been a few players over the years that took issue with it, finding it annoying and distracting. For example, Tiger Woods asked spectators to tone it down at the 2018 U.S. Open after he found it disruptive during his backswing.
But for the most part, pros accept the mashed potato shouts as part of the unique atmosphere and traditions of golf tournaments. While loud, they are generally good-natured and get fans engaged.
Status as a Golf Tradition
Yelling mashed potatoes now has a well-established place in golf fandom. For over 30 years, it’s been a staple at PGA Tour events and other pro tournaments like The Masters. The call even happens frequently at lower level pro events and collegiate tournaments.
It’s also become commonplace at golf’s major championships like the U.S. Open and PGA Championship. These high-profile tournaments have helped cement the status of mashed potatoes as an iconic golf chant.
While some young fans may not know the origins, it gets passed down from generation to generation. The mashed potato call almost serves as a right of passage for seasoned golf spectators. It has gone from an oddball tradition to a time-honored part of the game’s culture.
Other Crowd Calls in Golf
Beyond mashed potatoes, there are other popular crowd calls that have become signature cheers in golf:
“Get in the hole!” – Yelled after tee shots, approach shots, and putts. Encourages the ball to go in the hole.
“You da man!” – Cheer celebrating a player after hitting a great shot. Similar to “mashed potatoes” in spirit.
“Light the candle!” – Reference to starting something, used to encourage tee shots.
“Regriiiip!” – Reminder for players to regrip their club before a shot.
“Bababooey!” – Nonsensical shout popularized by radio personality Gary Dell’Abate and his fans.
“In the cup!” – Urging putts to go in the hole, similar to “get in the hole.”
While some fans see these shouts as annoying, they reflect the lively atmosphere of golf spectators getting swept up in the action. The calls make efforts to acknowledge and hype up exciting golf moments.
Is It Good Fan Etiquette?
The issue of whether mashed potato calls reflect proper golf etiquette and spectator behavior has been debated. Here are some perspectives on both sides:
Reasons Why It’s Good Etiquette:
– It’s become a tradition and is lighthearted in nature
– Adds excitement and engagement for spectators
– Often encouragement showing support for good shots
– Not intended as heckling or disruption
Reasons Why It’s Poor Etiquette:
– Can be distracting and annoying for some golfers
– Fan shouts carry on windy days which affects players
– Unnecessary noise when golf requires concentration
– Against norms of behaved restraint at golf events
Overall, the consensus seems to be that as long as fans aren’t screaming it right as players swing and are respectful of their timing, mashed potato calls are part of the fun tradition of golf galleries. However, crowds should avoid yelling it excessively or during sensitive moments.
Should the Tradition Continue?
| Reasons to Keep | Reasons to Stop |
|---|---|
| – Entertaining for fans | – Bothers some golfers |
| – Adds energy to events | – Can come across as obnoxious |
| – Players don’t seem to mind | – Unprofessional decorum |
| – Longstanding tradition | – Encourages rowdy fans |
Based on the table above weighing the pros and cons, the mashed potato shout is generally seen as a harmless tradition to maintain. While some critics argue it should be phased out, most golf fans and event organizers accept it as part of the sport’s culture.
It does not appear to be going away anytime soon and will likely continue being yelled for years to come barring any major objections. Overall, it’s a unique tradition celebrating impressive tee shots and does not seem to detract from tournaments.
Notable Moments When It Was Yelled
The mashed potato shout has punctuated some of golf’s biggest matches and most famous shots over the years:
– Heard frequently during Tiger Woods’ historic Masters win in 1997 to complete the Tiger Slam. Fans cheered his booming drives with mashed potato calls.
– When Rory McIlroy won the 2011 U.S. Open title by a record 8 strokes, fans acclaimed his long drives at Congressional Country Club with the yell.
– Brooks Koepka heard mashed potato shouts on his way to winning the 2019 PGA Championship at Bethpage Black.
– At the 2021 Ryder Cup, the American home crowd used mashed potatoes to cheer great shots for the U.S. team.
– Numerous major champions like Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, and Vijay Singh have had the yell follow their drives over their careers.
So while mashed potatoes may have started as an eccentric tradition, it has now become woven into many of golf’s seminal moments. Hearing it yelled at tournaments has come to signal the dramatic shots fans will remember for years to come.
Mashed Potato Shouts at Other Sports
The popularity of the mashed potato call has even extended beyond golf into other sports:
Tennis – Fans will yell mashed potatoes after particularly dominant serves or return winners. Sometimes used jokingly when the serve pace is slow.
Baseball – Heard after home run blasts or very long hits such as those landing in the stadium’s upper deck.
Football – Yelled on strong kickoff or punt returns that go deep into the opponent’s territory. Also after long touchdown passes.
Cricket – Fans shout it following massive sixes belted for maximum distance. A nod to golf’s influence even in cricket.
Track & Field – Spectators may use it to praise discuss throws or javelin launches going extra far.
So the mashed potato shout has extended as a symbolic cheer for feats of power and distance in other athletics realms. Golf may have originated it, but the yell now recognizes amazing shots across different sports worldwide.
Yelling for New Players
Up and coming golfers on tour are also getting the mashed potato treatment from crowds these days. Young stars like:
– Collin Morikawa
– Matthew Wolff
– Viktor Hovland
– Cameron Champ
– Joaquín Niemann
Have all heard the yell follow their prodigious drives at recent tournaments. The mashed potato shout almost serves as an initiation and sign of respect that fans are recognizing their power off the tee.
This new generation of talent hitting the golf scene ensures the mashed potato tradition will continue strong well into the future. There seems to be no shortage of long bombers who inspire the shout from crowds in awe of their distance.
Memes and Pop Culture References
The quirky mashed potato phenomenon has lent itself to funny memes and pop culture jokes on social media:
This meme pokes fun at how fans obsessively yell mashed potatoes for entire tournaments.
Many jokes play off of the various food items spectators shout at golf events.
References also appear in television shows like Family Guy:
Peter Griffin yells mashed potatoes while golfing himself, satirizing the odd custom.
Overall the quirky tradition has inspired funny takes and jabs across the internet and pop culture. The phenomenon clearly fascinates people even well beyond golf itself.
Masters Tournament Occurrences
The Masters Tournament held annually at Augusta National Golf Club is one of the most prominent events where mashed potato calls can be heard:
| Year | Notable Mashed Potato Moments |
|---|---|
| 1997 | Tiger Woods receives the yell during his record-setting win. |
| 2004 | Phil Mickelson hears it during his breakthrough Masters victory. |
| 2010 | Mashed potato shouts follow Phil’s final round 67. |
| 2019 | Tiger Woods comebck win features plenty of mashed potato calls |
| 2022 | Scottie Scheffler picks up the yell en route to his green jacket. |
Augusta National’s iconic layout has hosted some of the most memorable mashed potato moments each spring. With receptiveness to traditions, The Masters helps ensure the yell’s longevity.
Yelling Other Phrases
While mashed potatoes remains the classic golf shout, some dissenters opt for other funny phrases instead:
– Cauliflower
– Broccoli
– Spinach
– Coleslaw
– Biscuits and gravy
– Applesauce
– Tuna casserole
Using vegetable dishes or non-traditional foods pokes fun at the absurdity of the mashed potato ritual. Other fans just prefer to shout random words like:
– Mangos!
– Watermelon!
– Papaya!
– Rutabaga!
No particular reason or meaning, just exclaiming gibberish for amusement.
These alternatives prove yelling anything inane or unrelated to golf can be a source of entertainment. People are endlessly creative in coming up with the next random thing to shout.
Yelling Etiquette Recommendations
While mashed potato calls are ingrained in golf, fans looking to participate should follow certain etiquette guidelines:
– Only yell between golfer’s swing and ball contact. Refrain during backswings.
– Avoid shouting on shorter holes or shots requiring more precision.
– Don’t intentionally scream just to antagonize certain disliked golfers.
– Limit excessive mashed potato repetition or screamed at ear-splitting volume.
– Choose funny food variations if standard potatoes become tired.
– Read the venue and moment – some tournaments discourage loud calls.
Using good judgment helps keep the yell lighthearted and not distracting. Follow the lead of veteran fans who choose their moments wisely. A fun shout now and then adds to the atmosphere, but nonstop yelling becomes irritating.
Conclusion
Yelling mashed potatoes and other food phrases has developed into one of golf’s most peculiar traditions. The shouts let fans revel in epic drives and add interactive fun to tournaments. While the custom originated loosely, it has now achieved widespread status across golf.
Debates around proper etiquette remain, but most golfers and organizers accept occasional mashed potato calls as harmless crowd engagement. Moderation and respect for players should let the shouts continue as an entertaining tradition for years to come. With new young stars emerging, the shouts won’t be leaving golf anytime soon.