Written by Staff Writer
Let’s face it: when golf lovers listen to The Masters and see how players struggle over the opening hole, they don’t really take the game seriously. Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player in particular exemplify the power of artistry and pragmatism on the first tee, while Arnold Palmer and Gary Player’s career was a case study in success on a putting green. When the majors come around, golf enthusiasts expect the professional approach; not practice with a lightweight club, but with one that takes your weight off the putting blade. Yet, the easiest choices on the tee box aren’t always the most beautiful (try calling Colin Montgomerie when you lay down to follow your drive and see how your face reacts!). Of course, having a well-placed club — one that will accommodate your golf swing — is also essential. Since Palmer invented a short iron, the modern short game has relied on specific plays, such as the wedge and the four-iron.
If you turn down an offer of an iron and stick with a broomstick, however, you’re likely to strike out with young players, who are more likely to prefer a cut glass ball with a gravity-dependent kick.
1 / 17 In 1948, 3-time major champion Gary Player gave the game of golf a boost when he used a broomstick club. This is the first black hole produced by the Bag Re-Action trap at the London Club. Photo credit: Ted Mellin
We discuss how some of golf’s most iconic heroes influenced the game by the end of the 13th decade of the 20th century.
