published: Oct 9, 2023

updated: Apr 15, 2024

A chicken, a barrel, and Nelson Mandela? The weirdest golf trophies you’ll ever see…

Matt Chivers

NCG runs down some of the best, worst and most bizarre golf trophies ever handed out to tournament winners. Brace yourselves…

Golfers are usually so full of happiness after winning a golf tournament that you could give them any trophy and they’d hold it aloft.

The Claret Jug, what you get for winning The Open Championship, is the most revered trophy in the game.

The Wanamaker trophy at the PGA Championship and the Green Jacket at The Masters at Augusta National are also among the best golf awards money just can’t buy.

Following Luke List’s victory at the Sanderson Farms Championship, where he was presented with a chicken-shaped item, we looked back at some of the strangest and weirdest trophies ever seen in golf. Let’s get stuck in.

Weird Golf Trophies

Swiss Ladies Open

Amy Boulden won her first LET title in Switzerland in 2020, and along with the feat was handed a trophy in the shape of a cow. Obviously. Brace yourselves, this is one of the tamer ones on our list…

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Hero World Challenge

Maybe one for the kids’ bedroom?

The large tiger with its paw atop a globe has been won a few times by the man himself. The trophy does seem a little self-indulgent, but the event raises funds for the Tiger Woods Foundation which helps improve the health, education and welfare of children in America.

Castello Masters

A mask-shaped, err, face? With arms. We think. And legs? Maybe. Whatever it is, we imagine it isn’t taking pride and place in Sergio Garcia’s trophy cabinet – especially now he has a certain jacket…

Safeway Open

Winners of what used to be called the Safeway Open, now the Fortinet Championship, are presented with a barrel. A trophy that doubles up as a seat is always handy after 72 holes of championship golf, and if there is booze inside…

Hana Bank Championship

A vase that would do a very bad job of keeping the water in? This was the trophy presented to the Hana Bank Championship winner up until 2016, but since then it’s gotten even worse…

We’re baffled. What even is it?

Nelson Mandela Championship

The tournament is no longer played, but the trophy will forever live long in our memories.

Ginn Open

It’s supposed to be a flower. Except it’s not really, is it?

Lancome Trophy

The bust of a Greek God with what appears to be a golf ball for a heart – though it’s on the wrong side, so you can make your own mind up on this one.

Sanderson Farms Championship

One of the most peculiar PGA Tour trophies represents a fable special to Joe Sanderson, CEO of Sanderson Farms Inc, which tells the story of Chaunticleer, a proud rooster who escapes from a cunning fox and teaches us to be wary of reckless decisions…

MCB Tour Championship

Apparently, this is inspired by the coco de mer – Seychelles’ nut – indigenous to the island of Praslin. We think it’s a load of arse.

Have we missed any strange golf trophies? We would absolutely love to see them. Let us know on X!

About the author

Matt Chivers

Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.

Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.

Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.

Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as the Masters, The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spoken to many of the biggest names in the sport.

Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.

What’s in Matt’s bag: Cleveland HiBore XL Driver driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, Benross BR-Pro irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.

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Golfers are usually so full of happiness after winning a golf tournament that you could give them any trophy and they’d hold it aloft.

The Claret Jug, what you get for winning The Open Championship, is the most revered trophy in the game.

The Wanamaker trophy at the PGA Championship and the Green Jacket at The Masters at Augusta National are also among the best golf awards money just can’t buy.