Why did the golfer bring two pairs of pants?

This classic one-liner scores with some top-tier wordplay, hinging on the double meaning of a single phrase. The setup leads us to expect a practical, golf-related reason for the extra clothing. The punchline delivers, but not in the way we think, by swapping the golfing term for its most literal, and far less glamorous, interpretation: a simple rip in the fabric. It's this clever misdirection (Review) that turns a straightforward question into a legendary dad joke.

For those not up on their golf traditions, scoring a real hole-in-one is an incredibly rare and celebrated feat; the odds for an amateur are roughly 12,500 to 1. It's such a big deal that the lucky golfer is traditionally expected to buy a round of drinks for everyone at the clubhouse. The humor is therefore amplified by the absurd contrast (Review). Our golfer isn't preparing for a moment of legendary, expensive glory, but for a mundane wardrobe malfunction. He's ready for a tear, not a triumph.