Comedian Buddy Hackett is not only a very funny fellow, he is also an inventive practical joker. Often he gets his brightest ideas on a golf course. Buddy dreamed up one of his best brainstorms at the Sahara-Nevada Country Club in Las Vegas.
There is a water hole that has bedeviled Hackett every time he’s played the course. The rotund comic once remarked, “On my better days I lose about fifteen balls in that lake.” Hackett, who likes to make a few side bets, added, “All the wiseguys think I’m a patsy. They want to double their bets when we get to that hole.”
One day Hackett was playing the course with one of the owners of the Sahara Hotel, where he was appearing. When they reached the water hole, the hotel owner selected his driver. Hackett, with a sneer on his lips, took out a pitching wedge, a club no golfer in his right mind would use.
“You’re crazy,” gasped the hotel tycoon. “I’ll bet you a week’s salary that you can’t reach the green without using a driver.”
Hackett then sprang his trap. “I guess,” he said, “if I can get there without a driver, I’ll get double salary. If I can’t, I get nothing. Okay it’s a bet.”
Then Hackett put a golf ball in his mouth, jumped into the lake, and swam across. No, the hotel owner did not pay off on the bet.
From The Giant Book of More Strange But True Sports Stories by Howard Liss. Illustrations by Joe Mathieu.
Speaking of Buddy Hackett, have you ever seen “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”? It has a huge cast, so many cameos, but Buddy Hackett is one of the principals.
Yup, I love that movie. Actually saw it again a few months ago. Have you ever seen his stand up act? Holy shit. He makes Lewis Black look like Mr. Rogers.
The embedded link has nothing to do with the story but I couldn’t resist because it’s hilarious.
Where’s the lie?
If you’re referring to the golf ball: in Hackett’s mouth
If you’re referring to the clip at the end of this post: not in Hackett’s mouth