photo credit: danperry.com

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.

photo credit: 23dingenvoormusea  

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

photo credit: suvodeb

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).

photo credit: gary.hisanaga  

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.

photo credit: mrhayata

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.

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.

photo credit: pocketwiley

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.

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.

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.

photo credit: dan taylor

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!