“Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades” is a saying that has been cited in print since at least 1965.
“As (Cleveland Cavaliers head basketball coach Bill—ed.) Fitch is only too eager to tell you, close only counts ‘in horseshoes, hand grenades and at the drive-in movies’” was printed in the Los Angeles (CA) Times on February 29, 1976.
Wikipedia: Bill Fitch
William Charles Fitch (born May 19, 1932) is an American former National Basketball Association (NBA) coach who had been successful in developing a number of teams into playoff contenders. Before entering the professional ranks, he coached college basketball at the University of Minnesota, Bowling Green State University, the University of North Dakota, and his alma mater, Coe College. Fitch’s teams twice qualified for the NCAA tournament. He won the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award for the 2012–13 NBA season.
Newspapers.com
29 February 1976, Los Angeles (CA) Times, “Cavaliers Are No Joke: Fitch Is Being Driven Sane” by Ted Green, pt. 3, pg. 5, col. 1:
As Fitch is only too eager to tell you, close only counts “in horseshoes, hand grenades and at the drive-in movies.”
Newspapers.com
3 March 1976, The Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ), “Cavaliers’ Fitch no longer a clown” by Dave Hicks, pg. E-2, col. 2:
The Cavaliers came close a season ago.
“But close,” says Fitch, “only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades and at the drive-in movies.”
Google Books
Tourney Time—It’s Awesome Baby
By Dick Vitale and Mike Douchant
Indianapolis, IN: Masters Press
1993
Pg. 144:
Even Ray Charles can see close counts in more than just horseshoes, hand grenades and what remains of drive-in movies.
Twitter
The Recycler
@ToadDaRecycler
Remember, close only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades and drive-in movies.
3:35 PM · Apr 10, 2010·Twitter Web Client
Twitter
Marty Kiner
@msbarnboss
Replying to @StormIsUponUs and @prayingmedic
Close only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades and the back seat at drive in movies.
4:11 PM · Mar 20, 2019·Twitter for iPhone
Twitter
Jim Silver
@Zachspops
Replying to @bostonradio
Close only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades and drive in movies.
4:39 AM · May 15, 2019·Twitter for iPhone