A Canadian golf course became the setting for one of the most lopsided fights ever caught on video.
Some loudmouthed golfer thought he could pick on the wrong guy.
But the drunk golfer learned a harsh lesson after he confronted a professional brawler on the course in one wild video.
A drunk golfer learned the hard way about slow play etiquette
Golf courses across the country have become battlegrounds for frustrated players who’ve had enough of inconsiderate behavior from fellow golfers.
But this particular incident at Alberta Springs Golf Resort in Red Deer, Alberta proved that some fights you just can’t win.
The viral video shows an intoxicated golfer holding up play while struggling to even tee up his ball.
"You can’t even stand up to tee your ball up, man," someone can be heard saying in the footage.¹
The drunk golfer became belligerent when the group behind him asked him to pick up the pace.
Instead of apologizing or moving along, the man in the blue patterned shirt started yelling at them to "cry about it."
Things escalated quickly when he called one of the golfers a "p***y" and began clapping his hands to pump himself up for a fight.
That’s when he made the worst decision of his life.
He charged at the biggest guy in the group behind him.
Former NHL enforcer Nick Tarnasky delivered a hockey-style beatdown
What the drunk golfer didn’t know was that he’d just picked a fight with Nick Tarnasky, a former NHL enforcer who’d made a career out of beating up people much tougher than him.
Tarnasky, who stands 6’2" and weighs 230 pounds, played 245 NHL games between 2005 and 2010 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Nashville Predators, and Florida Panthers.
He racked up 297 penalty minutes during his NHL career and an astounding 881 penalty minutes in 486 AHL games.²
The 40-year-old former enforcer grabbed the attacking golfer’s shirt just like he used to grab jerseys during his hockey fighting days.
He lifted the man off his feet and threw him into a nearby pond.
"He just f***ing came at me!" Tarnasky shouted after tossing the man into the water.³
But the soaking wet golfer wasn’t done.
He crawled out of the pond and came at Tarnasky again.
This time, the former NHL tough guy delivered a series of devastating punches to the man’s head while yelling "BANG!" with each blow.
The video shows Tarnasky landing at least five clean shots before throwing the man to the ground like a rag doll.
"Enough, get out. Enough. Get him the f*** out of here," Tarnasky said as he tried to end the confrontation.⁴
**strong language**
https://x.com/INPO_Comps/status/1942647440492167571“>https://x.com/INPO_Comps/status/1942647440492167571
The aftermath brought consequences for the hockey coach
The July 4th incident has created headaches for Tarnasky, who currently serves as head coach of Red Deer Minor Hockey’s U17 AAA program.
Red Deer Minor Hockey announced they’re conducting an internal investigation into the viral video.
"We are aware of a video circulating on social media involving a coach with Red Deer Minor Hockey," general manager Jason Stephens said in a statement.⁵
"At this time, given that we understand the matter is being reviewed by local policing authorities and we are conducting our own internal investigation into the alleged incident, we will have no further comments."
The timing couldn’t be worse for Tarnasky, who was recently named U17 AAA AEHL Coach of the Year for 2024-25.
He took over the Red Deer North Stars in October 2024 when they were struggling with a 0-5-1 record and led them to a 24-7-0-3 finish.
Red Deer RCMP spokesman Const. Cory Riggs said police received a call about the incident but no charges are being considered.
"It appears to be a consensual fight and no further action is being taken," Riggs explained.⁶
The fight quickly went viral on social media, with hockey fans praising Tarnasky’s dominant performance.
"Can you imagine running your mouth at the golf course only to get fed by former NHLer Nick Tarnasky?" one fan wrote on X.⁷
"The Bangs were straight out of the WWE and the guy was warned. Mess with the bull you get the horns!"
A lesson in picking your battles
This incident serves as a perfect example of why drunk golfers should think twice before starting fights with strangers.
According to Hockey Fights, Tarnasky recorded 38 NHL fighting majors during his career and 98 fighting majors in the AHL.⁸
The man who challenged him had no idea he was going up against someone who’d spent his entire professional career beating up opponents who were much bigger and stronger than him.
Barstool Sports perfectly summed up the situation: "It’s never a good idea to instigate a fight with a dude who is twice the size of you. ESPECIALLY if the dude who is twice your size is a former NHL enforcer."⁹
The video shows exactly what happens when an average weekend golfer tries to take on someone who was literally paid to fight for a living.
Tarnasky’s hockey instincts kicked in immediately as he grabbed the man’s shirt and delivered punches with the precision of someone who’d done it hundreds of times before.
The drunk golfer learned a painful lesson that day: sometimes it’s better to just hit your shot and move on.
Golf courses are supposed to be peaceful places where people can relax and enjoy a round with friends.
But when alcohol gets involved and tempers flare, things can go south quickly.
This particular incident will go down as one of the most one-sided fights ever caught on video at a golf course.
The moral of the story is simple: if you’re going to pick a fight with someone, maybe do your homework first.
You might think you’re just dealing with some random guy who’s telling you to hurry up.
But you never know when that "random guy" might be a former NHL enforcer who’s spent years perfecting the art of beating people up.
¹ Whiskey Riff, "Intoxicated Golfer Unknowingly Picks Fight With Former NHL Player Out On The Golf Course, & Gets Chucked Into A Pond," July 8, 2025.
² Daily Faceoff, "Former NHL enforcer Nick Tarnasky pummels golfer in brawl on Alberta course," July 9, 2025.
³ Heavy.com, "WATCH | Former Lightning Enforcer Involved in Fight on Golf Course," July 8, 2025.
⁴ Ibid.
⁵ Red Deer Advocate, "Red Deer minor hockey coach’s golf course brawl goes viral," July 9, 2025.
⁶ Ibid.
⁷ The Morning Skate, Twitter post, July 8, 2025.
⁸ Daily Faceoff, "Former NHL enforcer Nick Tarnasky pummels golfer in brawl on Alberta course," July 9, 2025.
⁹ Barstool Sports, "UPDATE: The Monster Who Beat The Absolute Brakes Off That Fella On The Golf Course Was None Other Than Former NHL Enforcer Nick Tarnasky," July 9, 2025.
