PGA Star Booted Mid-Round For Playing In A ‘Sixsome’
LIV Golfer Harold Varner III Asked to Leave Indiana Golf Course: What Happened?
The Quick Story
Professional golfer Harold Varner III—who plays for the LIV Golf league—was asked to leave Bear Slide Golf Club near Indianapolis on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The course says his group broke several rules, and when they wouldn’t follow directions, they were told to leave (with a full refund).
Who Is Harold Varner III?
- Professional golfer currently playing on the LIV Golf tour
- Was in Indianapolis for LIV’s final event of the year at The Club at Chatham Hills
- Currently tied for 16th place heading into the final round of that tournament
What Happened at Bear Slide Golf Club?
The Timeline
- Booking made – Varner’s group reserved a tee time for four golfers (a standard foursome)
- Arrival – The group showed up 30 minutes late with six golfers total (not four)
- Course accommodation – Bear Slide staff said: "Okay, we’ll let you play, but you must split into two groups of three (two threesomes)"
- Repeated requests – At the first tee, the group asked five times to play as a single group of six
- Pro shop appeals – Varner personally asked the pro shop three separate times for an exception
- Rule enforcement – Each time, staff said no—especially because other groups were playing behind them
- Play begins – The group started as two threesomes (following the rules at first)
- Rule broken – On the fourth hole, the two groups combined into one group of six away from the clubhouse
- Removal – Staff saw this, waited until they finished the hole, then told them to return carts and leave
- Refunds issued – Everyone in the group received full refunds
Important Points to Remember
Key Takeaways:
- Tee times are for specific group sizes—usually foursomes (4) or threesomes (3)
- Six-somes (groups of 6) are almost never allowed on regulation courses because they slow down play for everyone
- Showing up late with extra people creates scheduling problems for the course and other golfers
- Rules apply to everyone—professional golfers included
- Combining groups mid-round after being told not to is a serious breach of golf etiquette
What the Golf Course Said
Bear Slide Golf Club posted on Facebook explaining their side. Here are the main points:
- They accommodated the late arrival and extra players by allowing two threesomes
- The starter politely enforced the rules multiple times
- One group member accused the starter of being rude; another defended the starter
- Varner went to the pro shop three times trying to get an exception
- The course had other groups waiting on holes 2, 3, and 4—so pace of play mattered
- Their policy: "Everyone should be treated fairly and should follow the same rules, regardless of your playing ability or connections"
Why Group Size Matters in Golf (ELI5 Explanation)
Think of a golf course like a single-lane road:
| Group Size | Like… | Effect on Others |
|---|---|---|
| Threesome (3) | A compact car | Normal speed |
| Foursome (4) | A standard sedan | Normal speed |
| Six-some (6) | A slow-moving truck | Everyone behind gets stuck |
When one group plays slowly, every group behind them backs up. That’s why courses strictly limit group sizes—especially on busy days.
Summary
- Harold Varner III booked a foursome but arrived 30 minutes late with 6 people
- Bear Slide Golf Club compromised: allowed them to play as two threesomes
- The group repeatedly asked to play as a six-some—told no 8+ times (starter + pro shop)
- They started correctly but merged into a six-some on hole 4
- Staff removed them from the course and gave full refunds
- The course emphasized: rules apply to everyone equally
FAQ
1. Why can’t six people play together?
Golf courses limit group sizes (usually max 4) to maintain pace of play. A group of 6 takes much longer, causing traffic jams for everyone behind them.
2. Did Varner get special treatment because he’s a pro?
No—the opposite. The course treated him exactly like any other golfer who breaks rules. Their statement specifically said rules apply "regardless of your playing ability or connections."
3. What does "pace of play" mean?
It’s how fast a group moves around the course. Slow groups = unhappy golfers behind them = bad reputation for the course.
4. Can you ever play with 5 or 6 people?
Rarely. Some courses allow 5-somes on very slow days, but 6-somes are almost never permitted on regulation 18-hole courses.
5. What happens if you break course rules?
Courses can ask you to leave (usually with a refund). It’s private property, and they set the conditions for play.
Article based on reporting by Cameron Jourdan (Golfweek/USA Today), updated August 23, 2026.