The Master’s Other Awards

photo credit: danperry.com   Everyone knows about the infamous Green Jacket awarded to the winner of the Masters golf tournament held at Augusta National every spring but most people aren’t aware of the other awards given during the event.  Here is a list of the remainder of the awards:

Golf Medal:  Winner -  Silver Medal and Silver Salver: Runner Up -  Silver Cup:  Low Amateur -  Silver Medal:  Amateur runner-up -  Crystal Vase: Each day’s low score -  Large Crystal Bowl:  Hole-in-one -  Pair of Crystal Goblets:  Eagle -  Large Crystal Bowl:  Double Eagle.

From 1955 through 1992, the winner received a silver box (originally a cigarette case) engraved with all the year’s competitors.

The amateur awards are given only to players who make the 36 hole cut.

Old & New Club Comparison

photo credit: 23dingenvoormusea   What follows are old/new club comparisons:  PLAY CLUB – driver. . . BRASSIE - 2 wood. . . SPOON - 3 wood. . . BAFFY - 4 wood. . . CLEEK - 1 iron. . . MID-IRON – 2 iron. . . MID-MASHIE – 3 iron. . . MASHIE IRON – 4 iron. . . MASHIE – 5 iron. . . SPADE MASHIE – 6 iron. . . MASHIE NIBLICK – 7 iron. . . PITCHING NIBLIC – 8 iron. . . NIBLICK – 9 iron. . . JIGGER – wedge. . . BAFFING SPOON – lob wedge. . . PUTTER – flat stick/putter.

The differences in clubs between then and now, were major with the biggest breakthrough in going from steel shafts to graphite.

Ancient Equipment

photo credit: suvodeb   In the beginning, golf clubs were shaped like hockey sticks.  The shafts were long and the heads were skinny and bowed.  The general shape was concave, which made it easier to lift the ball from ruts and high grass.

Hugh Williams was a Scottish clubmaker and a master craftsmen who made clubs from 1812 until his death in 1856.  He used thorn, apple and pear wood in his clubheads, and ash in the shafts.  Finally he discovered hickory, a far superior shaft material.

The club set consisted of the “play club” (today’s driver).  Back then, the golfer didn’t drive toward the target he “played upon it.”  They used “spoons” (long-mid-short) which were shaped like spoons.  A “baffing spoon,” was today’s lob-wedge. (to “baff” was to contact the ground just before hitting the ball).

The Forgotten 1 Iron

photo credit: gary.hisanaga   The majority of today’s golfers have never seen a 1 Iron or heard of their existence.

A 1 Iron is now just as rare as a 2 Wood, which has also become extinct.  The 1 Iron was used regularly until the emergence of high lofted woods such as the 7 wood and players discovered they were much easier to use.  With their ease of use, high ball trajectory and equal distance to the 1 Iron, they became the clubs of choice.

There were two players in history that were known for their great ability with the 1 Iron, Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino.  Nicklaus was probably the best long iron player the game has ever known and Trevino was the games best “shot-maker.”  Both could hit a 1 Iron 250 yds. with great accuracy.

What ever Happened to Night Golf?

photo credit: mrhayata   I remember, grabbing my golf bag, as a kid in Phoenix, AZ. and heading off to play some night golf in the middle of a hot Arizona summer.  The course was a legitimate par 3 layout which included a couple of nice par 4 holes.  The interesting thing about it was that the course lights were bright enough to illuminate the golf ball’s flight, it was more visible than in the bright light of day.

Another advantage, especially in the stifling Phoenix heat, was that it was so much cooler at night than the 108 degree daytime temperatures.

I often wonder why, like the drive-in movie, night golf just up and disappeared?  Who knows, maybe our grand-kids may be lucky enough to someday play “under the stars” and enjoy the cool of a summer night.

Evolution Of The Golf Ball

 

photo credit: zone41   Prior to the 17th Century, golf balls were made of wood, then along came the Featherie.  The Featherie was a sewn leather pouch filled with enough goose feathers to fill a top hat.  The feathers were boiled and stuffed in the leather pouch.  As it cooled the feathers expanded and the leather shrunk, creating a compact sphere. 

The Featherie was used for two centuries but because of it’s expense ($10-$20 in today’s dollars) was eventually replaced by the Gutta-Percha ball.  The Gutta-Percha was made from dried tree sap.  It had a very rubber-like quality.  By accident, it was discovered that defects on it’s surface (dimples) would improve it’s flight characteristics.

The 20th Century gave us the multi-layer balls with blends of surlyn and urethane that we use today.

Jack Nicklaus, Golf Legend

photo credit: pocketwiley   Jack Nicklaus, a pudgy kid in his early 20s,  took on and defeated the “king” (Arnold Palmer).  The American golf community wasn’t ready to see their golf Icon lose his throne and resentment towards Nicklaus grew.  It took a generation for the public to get from resentment to great love for the “Golden Bear.”

Nicklaus, in spite of his sometimes awkward and standoffish manner, went on to become an American sports legend.  He proved himself under fire and won the heart of every American winning 73 PGA Tour events, including 18 Major Championships.

Jack Nicklaus has also gained great fame as a golf course designer.  He’s built courses on every major continent and he is now in the company of such greats as Reese Jones and Pete Dye.

Jack Nicklaus the Golden Bear

Jack Nicklaus may be the greatest golfer of all time. He entered the PGA Pro Tour when Arnold Palmer was at his peak. He was the young chubby kid from Ohio going up against a golf legend who’s army of followers (Arny’s Army) intimidated all who played against the king. Golf fans in every corner of the country begrudged the idea of anyone challenging their hero.

In spite of the controversial attitude towards him, Nicklaus went on to de-throne the king and take his well deserved seat on golf’s big three, Palmer, Nicklaus and Player. This amazing triumverate created a stirr in the world of golf like never before and catipulted the game to a new national pastime.

Gary Player, the Man in Black

Gary Player, wore black throughout his long and illustreous career. He came to prominence during the late 1950s and became one of Golf’s “big three,” Palmer, Nicklaus and Player. The three of them put golf on the map for good.

I remember seeing Player for the first time at the Firestone C.C. in Akron, Ohio at the American Golf Classic. I was astonished at what a small man (in stature) Player actually was.

Gary Player’s career lasted for over 30 years with a win list to long to mention.
One of the reasons for his longevity is his rigid eating and exercise regimine. Gary is a good old fashioed health nut and it really shows because he is in perfect condition. Now in his mid 70s, Gary is still going strong.

Old Gear vs. New Gear

photo credit: dan taylor I’ve always thought that it would be extremely interesting to watch PGA Tour Players play a tournament with yesterday’s equipment. The gear I’m referring to was in use during the 50s, 60s and 70s, used by some of the games greatest players. Balata golf balls were used exclusively and Tour Pro’s changed them every 3 holes because they would go “out of round.”

I believe the game of golf has changed in a negative manner, it has gone from a shotmaker’s game to a game of distance. There are not as many players that “work”
the ball, except of course, Tiger Woods. In today’s game, fans are interested in seeing scores of 20 under par on the leaderboard. Kind of boring if you ask me!