John Daly has long been known for his love of golf, camaraderie, and a drink or two as his approach to the sport was less about rigorous practice and more about enjoying the game with friends – including Fuzzy Zoeller.
It was a philosophy that included alcohol and among Daly’s closest “drinking buddies” was Zoeller, the pair often joined by Tim Herron, and Michael Allen.
Zoeller, already an accomplished golfer with a U.S. Open under his belt, first noticed Daly during a FedEx St. Jude Classic practice round and invited him along. That marked the start of a friendship that would last decades.
“Fuzzy, and I had a few,” Daly recalled in a Hard Rock Bet interview on December 23. “When Tim Herron came out, we always had a few.
“Michael Allen was a good buddy of mine…back in the ’90s, it was play golf, have a good time, hopefully play well, win, and then have a few cocktails after you get done.”
Daly‘s bond with Zoeller endured for thirty years, ending only with Zoeller‘s death in November 2025. The pair connected over genuine acceptance of one another whilst Herron, nicknamed “Bam Bam,” and Allen joined the circle later.
Herron shared Daly‘s unconventional style, while Allen was a travel companion for international tournaments. The three paired again for a Champions Tour event in 2018.
“We had a few drinkers that we’d go out with,” Daly said. “When we played back in the ’90s, it was to play golf, have a good time, hopefully play well, win, and then have a few cocktails after you get done.
“Now these guys get three hours before the tee time. They work out. They practice for an hour and a half before the first tee. They play a round, then they work out again for two or three hours.”
How are modern sports evolving away from party lifestyles?
In Daly‘s era, alcohol was deeply woven into golf culture. Players often gathered in clubhouses for drinks after rounds. Daly, who had his first drink before age 10 and first Jack Daniel’s at 19, embraced this lifestyle. He famously drank on the course, yet still managed impressive scores, including shooting 4 under after downing five beers at the Los Angeles Open.
Today, golf has evolved. Players like Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Charley Hull maintain rigorous workout routines, focusing on strength, endurance, and recovery.
Darts has also transformed, shedding its pub-centric image for disciplined training, proper nutrition, and stamina to sharpen mental precision.
Formula 1 similarly shifted from a glamorous, party-driven past to a discipline-focused present. Modern drivers undergo strength, cardio, and neck training to withstand extreme G-forces, complemented by nutrition plans and data-driven recovery protocols.
This trend toward fitness, discipline, and mental preparation reflects a wider evolution in sports culture.
Across golf, darts, and F1, achieving elite performance now requires self-control, strategic training, and consistent focus, proving dedication has overtaken decadence.
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