New York golf fans are known for their loud, unfiltered energy, often bordering on chaos and earning the nickname “rowdy.” With the Ryder Cup approaching, icon Ian Poulter has weighed in — and, predictably, he’s not holding back.
Ian Poulter said on Sportbible’s Agree to Disagree YouTube channel that American golf fans aren’t better than European ones. Without hesitation, he slid his glass to “Strongly Disagree,”.
He continued saying, “I don’t even know where to start. There’s no… I mean, f**ing mashed potato and all that bulls**t that you hear is madness. ‘In the hole! Get in the hole!’ It’s a 600-yard par five, you f**king idiot.” He then went on to share more unfiltered thoughts.
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“I actually just wanna borrow the taser, like, from the security guard. Just to let one go per hole would be amazing. Imagine that. You’ve got one taser per hole. That’d be awesome. How good, right between the eyes. Have it,” he joked, but was hinting at the frustration American fans cause him.
Tyrrell Hatton, who was part of the game too, sitting across from him, could only laugh and said, “You’ve actually thought this through.”
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But Poulter wasn’t done. Not even close. When the host asked him if the heckling had gone too far, Ian Poulter shrugged — “It’s not heckling. It’s just complete and utter embarrassing stupidity.” For him, it’s not just about the noise, but the lack of basic golf etiquette and IQ that seems to grind Poulter’s gears most.
“We don’t get that at The Open Championship. You don’t get it anywhere. Like, it’s only in America that the stupidness comes out. I mean, it’s just so annoying,” he continued.
That’s not to say Ian Poulter is entirely anti-American crowd. In fact, he gives credit where it’s due— “I’m not completely dissing the American fans, ’cause the atmosphere in America is amazing.” But the line between lively and lunatic? For Poulter, that thin line has been crossed too many times compared to his home crowd, whom he termed “respectful”.
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Poulter’s comments on the American fans just came a few days after Shane Lowry voiced a more measured take on what Team Europe should expect at Bethpage. Lowry acknowledged that things could get a little fiery in New York but still remained unfazed— “For one week, yes, it might be a little bit hostile, but I think we’re all big and bold enough to be able to look after ourselves.” And to be fair, the energy flows both ways. Take the example of Scottie Scheffler, who caught some heat at The 2025 Open this summer when a fan yelled, “Rory’s coming to get you” mid-swing.
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As the countdown to Bethpage continues, one thing’s clear—this Ryder Cup won’t be short on fireworks. But there have been several warnings issued to players to be wary of the rowdy fans and to fans, to ‘cheer with class’ or get kicked out.
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The American crowd is warned to follow the rules or get kicked out
With around 50,000 fans expected to flood Bethpage Black for this week’s Ryder Cup showdown, American spectators are being hit with a clear warning — follow the rules or get kicked out. The excitement of hosting in New York, a city famous for its passionate (and brutally honest) sports fans, has also triggered serious concerns about crowd behavior.
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Organizers have implemented a strict code of conduct, asking fans to “respect the game,” “cheer with class,” and avoid “disruptive behavior, including heckling, taunting, or intentional distraction of players.” Basically, shout too loud at the wrong time, and you could be watching the rest of the Cup from your home.
Even players and their families are bracing for impact. Former Ryder Cup player Andrew Coltart advised wives and families of the players not to walk the course, fearing abuse from the home crowd. Meanwhile, Xander Schauffele’s father, Stefan, has said he’s boycotting the event altogether after last year’s drama in Rome, telling The Times, “I’m afraid of what’s going to happen in New York.”
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