Club Pro Guy Introduces Non-Conforming "Punchout" Club

Palmer on a golf course was Jack Dempsey with his man on the ropes, Henry Aaron with a three-and-two fastball, Laver at set point, Joe Montana with a minute to play, A.J. Foyt with a lap to go and a car to catch. He never hit a safe shot. He tried to make 2 on every hole. Sometimes, he made 12. That was Palmer. They loved him for it. No one ever quite commanded the rapport with a gallery Palmer did. Players hated to play with him--or in front of him or in back of him. The audience was Palmer’s and they were legion. Part of it was, he swung like they did. Palmer went after the ball like a guy beating a carpet. It wasn’t pretty but it was effective. He won 62 tournaments but always managed to look like a refugee from the truck drivers’ flight at the local municipal. JIM MURRAY on Arnold Palmer