‘Worst Score On The 14th Buys The Burgers’… This Golf Course Has A McDonald's Next To The 15th Tee

For many golfers, a visit to the halfway hut is one of the highlights of their round. Well, what about doubling up and sneaking in a McDonald's after 14 holes?

A green on a golf course where the flag has been replaced by the McDonald's golden arches. A golfer stands just off the green, with a thought bubble up to an image of various McDonald's restaurant menu items
Kennett Country Club in Missouri has an interesting neighbour located not far from it's 15th tee box... anyone for a burger and fries?
(Image credit: Getty Images)

From the moment that I step onto the ninth tee, I am immediately considering what food and drink indulgences I am going to allow myself at the halfway hut. This habit is sometimes as a reward for my stellar performance on the front nine, or sometimes as a consolation prize after a particularly turbulent run, but either way it's always a highlight.

The only problem is that sometimes it comes a little early in the round, and by the midway point of the back nine I am already thinking about what I will choose as my next snack or beverage in the clubhouse... but what if you had another option?

After coming across a very interesting video on Instagram, posted by Zire Golf, it would appear that playing a round at Kennett Country Club in Missouri provides that welcome alternative. While it's not technically an offering by the club, golfers do have access to an incredible selection of fast-food goodies... at the McDonald's restaurant next to the 15th tee.

Worst Score On The 14th Buys The Burgers

I can picture the scene. A four-ball stands on the 14th tee and agrees jovially to a wager of the sustenance-variety. Whoever makes the worst score, either nett or gross depending on your preference, buys the burgers at the 15th tee.

An app order is made before the final player tees off, and battle commences. By the time the loser is identified, the order is ready to be gleefully distributed and one more moment of gratification is enjoyed before tackling the final four holes.

I suppose my only concern with what appears to be a high-upside stroke of luck in terms of location would be the impact of this process on the pace of play. Many of us will have experienced the frustration and fury of backlogs on the golf course, and cursed one of the many factors that contribute to slow play, and surely this would only exacerbate the issue further.

After all, by the time you have nipped, hurried over the short walk to the restaurant counter, picked up the food and eaten it, you might have another four-ball gaining on you. They might not be fast food lovers, and as a result one of two scenarios unfolds.

Either you attempt the awkward series of tasks to move your trolley, with your food bag balanced on top and try to think about hitting your next shot without allowing tripping up or dropping your treasures, or you allow the next group to play through and pray the next party are keen for a cheeseburger.

A selection of food from a McDonald's restaurant

What would your snack of choice be if you had a McDonald's next to the 15th tee box at your club?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The proximity of the McDonald's restaurant to the course at Kennett Country Club also got me thinking about which fast food outlet I would choose to place near a tee box at my golf club.

A Krispy Kreme would certainly be up there, mainly for the efficiency and speed in which I can eat a doughnut, but perhaps the sugar-overload would make my scoring too erratic on the closing stretch.

I finally landed on a Greggs, which for our friends in the US is a great-value bakery with incredible hot pastry items. The main reason being that biting into a steak slice too early is like filling your mouth with molten lava, so it becomes a necessity to pop it into your golf bag until you have played your tee shot and walked up the fairway. Tasty treat - tick. Doesn't impact too much on pace of play - tick. Guaranteed to power me through to four closing birdies - to be confirmed.

Barry Plummer
Staff Writer

Barry Plummer is our Staff Writer, joining in January 2024 after seven years as a PE Teacher. He now writes about instruction, working closely with Golf Monthly's Top 50 Coaches to provide hints and tips about all aspects of the game. As someone who came into golf at a later age, Barry is very passionate about supporting the growth of the game and creating opportunities for everyone to access it. A member at Sand Moor Golf Club in Leeds, he looks forward to getting out on the course at least once a week and making up for lost time in the pursuit of a respectable handicap.

Barry is currently playing:

Driver: Ping G425

Hybrid: TaylorMade Stealth 4 Hybrid

Irons: Mizuno JPX 921 4-PW

Wedges: TaylorMade RAC 60, Callaway Jaws MD5 54

Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour