Nina Caldwell
In the 1990s, a mysterious phone number, 1-800-GOLF-TIP, sparked intrigue and fascination among teens in Canada and potentially across North America. Callers would hear a recording of a man with a Middle Eastern accent counting to ten, followed by a deafening scream if they stayed on the line. The number was advertised on billboards, suggesting a connection to golf, but its true purpose remained elusive. Theories ranged from number station codes to social experiments. Today, the number connects to an erotic hotline, leaving the mystery of its original intent buried in the past.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country code | North America |
| Number | 1-800-GOLF-TIP |
| Year | 1990s |
| Owner | Unknown, possibly PGA of America |
| Purpose | Golf tips, social experiment, number station, erotic hotline |
| Outcome | Mystery, speculation, paranoia |
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What You'll Learn
The 1990s origins of 1-800-GOLF-TIP
The origins of 1-800-GOLF-TIP can be traced back to the early to mid-1990s in Canada, specifically the province of Ontario. The story begins with a mysterious billboard advertisement in the town of St. Catharines, Ontario, which sparked curiosity among locals, especially teenagers and young adults. This billboard, along with word-of-mouth, fuelled the spread of knowledge about the number throughout Ontario, including Toronto and Ottawa.
Upon dialling 1-800-GOLF-TIP, callers would hear a pre-recorded audio message of a man with an Indian or Middle Eastern accent counting from one to ten in a continuous loop. Some accounts mention an abrupt "siren" or loud "buzzing" noise interrupting the recording after about 12 minutes. The exact purpose of this peculiar recording remains a mystery, with no known formal documentation or original audio surviving today. However, the number and its associated recording became a trending phenomenon during its time, even making it to the top of a Carlton University school newspaper list of the most talked-about "things" in 1993.
Adding to the intrigue, there are speculations about the purpose of 1-800-GOLF-TIP. Some theorise that it might have been a telemarketing tactic to collect active phone numbers by attracting high call traffic. This theory is supported by the fact that the number was acquired by MayFair Communications in 1998, a company believed to be focused on selling toll-free telephone numbers for telemarketing. Subsequently, the number was taken over by PrimeTel Communications in the early 2000s, known for their acquisition of toll-free numbers for various hotlines.
The website 1800golftip.com was established for individuals who dialled the number in the 1990s to share their memories and experiences, keeping the intrigue alive even after the number's original purpose had faded. The 1-800-GOLF-TIP phenomenon remains a testament to the power of curiosity and the unique cultural artefacts that can emerge and capture the imagination of a generation.
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The man counting to 10
In the 1990s, there was a mysterious phone number in Canada: 1-800-GOLF-TIP. If you called it, you would hear a recording of a man with a thick Middle Eastern accent counting from one to ten repeatedly. Callers recall that the man paused after the number six, though some insist it was after seven or eight. There are also reports of a deafening scream that would occur if the caller stayed on the line long enough, followed by a loud, synthetic siren-type sound. The mystery surrounding this number was propagated by first-hand accounts of web sleuths and teens in the 1990s who would dare each other to call.
The number was advertised on billboards, which made it seem like a legitimate golf-related service. This caused many people to call out of curiosity. The man counting to ten on the recording is believed to be the uncle of a user named Sam Lufti/Lutfi, who commented on a YouTube video about the mystery. According to Sam, his Lebanese uncle worked or volunteered for the PGA around 1995. At that time, members of the PGA decided to create a hotline where callers could receive golf tips from PGA members attending the Tommy Armour Teaching and Coaching Summit in New Orleans. However, the hotline was only active for about a week due to the high cost of toll-free calls. The recording of the man counting to ten was made by Sam's uncle when testing the line during its initial setup.
After the hotline was deactivated, the number was purchased by a company operating an erotic hotline, which may have contributed to the air of mystery surrounding it. While the original purpose of the number has been explained, it remains a notable example of a mysterious phone number from the 1990s that captured the imaginations of many.
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The loud siren
The 1-800-GOLF-TIP phone line has since been the subject of internet speculation, with some suggesting it was a social experiment, a number station, or even a test of golf knowledge. However, the true origin of the phone line was uncovered by a Reddit user, who explained that the number was set up by the PGA in 1994 or 1995 as a hotline for golfers to receive tips from PGA members. The line was only supposed to be active for a weekend or about a week, but it incurred massive toll-free call charges, which no one wanted to pay. The recording heard by callers in the 1990s was the test recording made by the user's uncle, who worked for the PGA. After the dispute over the bill, the phone company removed the prompts and deactivated the number, defaulting to the initial test recording.
The number has since been bought out by a scammy toll-free number company, and now operates as an erotic hotline.
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The billboard advertising
In the 1990s, there was a mysterious phone number in Canada: 1-800-GOLF-TIP. It was advertised on billboards across the country, targeting teenagers and intriguing them with its promise of golf tips. The billboards were likely paid for by members of the PGA, who wanted to offer a hotline for golfers to receive advice from PGA members. However, the billboard campaign was short-lived, as the organisation received a massive bill for all the toll-free calls made, and the number was deactivated.
The billboards featured an eye-catching design that piqued the curiosity of teenagers across Canada. The advertising campaign was so successful that it even sparked a trend among teens, who would dare each other to call the number. The mystery and intrigue surrounding the number spread like wildfire, with people talking about it at school and calling from payphones. The billboards were so effective that even those who initially dismissed them as a gimmick eventually gave in and called the number.
The billboards were strategically placed in locations where teenagers would frequent, such as near schools and recreational areas. The advertising campaign also targeted areas where golf was popular, to appeal to a wider audience. The billboards featured bright colours and eye-catching graphics, with the number "1-800-GOLF-TIP" prominently displayed. The copy on the billboards was carefully crafted to create a sense of intrigue and curiosity, suggesting that calling the number would lead to valuable golf tips.
While the exact details of the billboard advertising campaign are unclear, it is believed that the campaign was relatively short-lived. The high cost of registering an 800 number and promoting it via billboard would have been significant, and the campaign likely only lasted as long as the funding allowed. Additionally, the PGA may have only intended to offer the hotline for a limited time, as suggested by the short duration of the call-in event.
The billboards were so effective that they even reached people outside of Canada. With the power of the internet, the mystery of 1-800-GOLF-TIP spread beyond its physical billboard locations, intriguing people across North America and even worldwide. The combination of the intriguing phone number, the mysterious recording, and the widespread billboard campaign created a lasting impact that resonated with people for decades.
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The mystery solved
In the 1990s, there was a mysterious phone number in Canada: 1-800-GOLF-TIP. If you called it, you would hear a recording of a man with a thick Middle Eastern accent counting to ten repeatedly, with significant pauses after certain numbers. Many recall a pause after the number six, though some insist it came after seven or eight. Supposedly, if callers stayed on the line long enough, a deafening scream would be heard. The mystery surrounding this number was propagated by first-hand accounts of web sleuths, who tell eerily similar stories about this phone number that teens in the 1990s would dare each other to call.
The number is almost certainly Canadian, as public knowledge of its existence originated from Canadian billboards. However, given that it received some level of national media publicity, it is likely that the billboards also appeared throughout North America. The billboards advertised the number as a legitimate golf thing, which encouraged people to call. The mystery surrounding the number was a hot topic in the 1990s, with rumours about it spreading like contagion amongst teens.
The mystery has been solved, with the number being linked to the Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA). In 1994, USA Today referred to the number as the "USA TODAY/PGA OF AMERICA HOT LINE". It appears that the ability to call the number and hear golf advice from nearly 100 PGA members was only available for the weekend of December 3 and 4, 1994, from 9 am to 9 pm. Before and after these dates, the number likely remained in the possession of either the PGA or USA Today.
The mystery of the deafening scream has also been solved, with a Reddit user explaining that there used to be a feature on landlines where if you left the phone off the hook by accident after the other side hung up, a really loud synthetic siren-type sound would play. This was probably just the phone company's way of telling you that the phone was left off the hook by accident.
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Frequently asked questions
1-800-GOLF-TIP was a phone number that, when called, played a recording of a man counting from one to ten. If the caller stayed on the line long enough, a loud siren-type sound would play.
The number was active in the 1990s, with some sources placing its origins in 1993, 1994, or 1995.
The exact purpose of the number remains a mystery. One theory suggests that it was a social experiment, while another claims that it was a hotline for golf tips from PGA members.
The number currently belongs to a different owner and is an erotic hotline. It is advised that readers do not call the number.
