GoW star destroys The Last of Us prop on first day

In the sprawling world of video game props, few items carry the weight of internet fame quite like a piece of golf equipment. It’s a strange fact that a simple golf club has managed to burrow its way into the annals of gaming history, serving as both a symbol of brutal narrative moments and a delightful behind-the-scenes anecdote.

The story begins with The Last of Us Part 2. The image of a golf club becomes instantly iconic, serving as a lazy shorthand for one of the game’s most devastating and unforgettable acts. While the actual prop used in motion capture sessions for the game was a different, more abstract item—a large, purple, stick-shaped object—the golf club remains firmly lodged in the public consciousness as a cultural touchstone.

This seemingly innocuous object found its way from fictional violence to real-world celebrity when it was involved in the casting for God of War Laufey. Deborah Ann Woll, who portrayed Joel in the previous title, took on the role of Laufey, and her first day on set provided a moment of unexpected, chaotic fun.

During a panel appearance, Woll shared a hilarious memory about the prop she received. While preparing for the role of Laufey, she was handed a golf club, which the production team intended for her to use as an axe. As she reacted to the absurdity of the situation, she decided to test its limits. In a moment of theatrical action, she swung the prop so hard that it cracked loudly, echoing through the motion capture studio.

The scene captured the moment she smashed the object into the ground with a loud thunk, eliciting cheers from the crew. The director noted that the moment was pure, unscripted energy: “She swung it so hard, it cracked, and it echoed throughout the motion capture studio. And we were like ‘hot damn, let’s go.’”

This little incident perfectly illustrates how the details of production can sometimes lead to the most memorable moments. From the darker narrative of The Last of Us Part 2 to the lighthearted casting of God of War Laufey, the shared history of props proves that even the most accidental details can become fascinating legends.