Punk Rocker Can Handle an Ax . . . or a Club

When guitarist Fletcher Dragge of the punk band Pennywise is not on stage cranking up the volume during his group’s ferocious live set, he’s hitting the links with his buddies and a cooler full of brews. Along with fellow SoCal musicians from Sublime and the Vandals, the 33-year-old Dragge has discovered the gentleman’s pastime of golf--part of a growing trend among the hardest of hard-core punkers. Dragge is featured in the current issue of Schwing! magazine.

Question: Why are punk rockers attracted to golf?

Answer: I’m not sure. I used to think golf was for old people. Then one Sunday I went out with a 12-pack of beer and a couple of friends and had a really great time. It’s just a fun sport to play. Once you do it, you’re hooked.

Q: Do you play golf while on tour?

A: Sure. You’re in the middle of nowhere with nothing going on. There’s always going to be a golf course.

Q: Do the other members of the band play?

A: Yeah. Randy [Bradbury], our bass player, is really good. He’s better than me. Jimmy [Lindberg], our singer, is getting into it. He’s pretty much a natural. And Byron [McMackin], our drummer, has been out a few times but hasn’t caught the bug yet.

Q: Do you have a favorite golf course in L.A.?

A: I like the Malibu Country Club. It’s a public course, and it’s really cool. It’s got a lot of trees, a lot of hills. It’s not just a typical flat course. You almost feel like you’re in Hawaii because there’s nothing around you--no houses or anything.

Q: How often do you play?

A: Once a week if possible. I’m actually looking outside thinking it’s pretty nice today. There’s a good nine-hole course by our house. Might have to roll over there and hit some balls.

Q: What’s your handicap?

A: I don’t know. We never play handicap. We just play against each other, and I always lose.