The Legends Of Golf - Sam Snead

No one wins over 160 tournaments without having talent and “Slammin Sammy” had talent. Sam Snead in 1936 proved his nickname accurate with a 334-yard shot that hit the green at Hershey. The first two shots he hit out of bounds, he finished 5th.

Like so many golfing legends, Sam started out at an early age caddying at the local golf resort. Sam always wanted to play football as a kid not golf. A back injury changed his career move and with the help of his brother Homer, he started mastering the game of golf.

Sam Snead had natural talent for the game and it showed every time he hit the ball dubbing it the “perfect swing”. Even when Homer introduced Sam to the game, he found the mechanics easy to grasp.

Hitting the golf course in his fashionable Straw Hat, Sam's folksy demeanor made him stand out on the course. Sam had played tournaments without shoes at times, playing in his bare feet. I sure that drew attention from the crowd.

Snead wins The British Open in 1946, despite his objections to playing in Britain. Sam did not shy away from his dissatisfaction of the British golfing facilities, just one year after returning from his tour of duty 1942-1945.

Having 15 clubs in his bag at Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda, 1959, Sam's disqualified for having one extra club. Snead mentioned that he must have forgotten the club from practice.

Snead had won over 160 tournaments for a long a deserving career, but never winning the U.S. Open. He came in 2nd four times from 1935-1949, the one that was never to be.

Not only did Sam Snead excel at golf he tried his hand at acting. Appearing in at least one episode of The Phil Silvers Show and according to some, he did a Bromo Seltzer commercial.

Four days before Sam’s 90th birthday the golfing world lost Sam Snead, his “perfect swing” and the impressive amount of tournaments he won keeps Sam’s memory alive, for he was a True Golf Legend.

Sam Snead Golf Facts

Sam hit the Wrigley Field scoreboard with a golf ball teed off the home plate

82 PGA Tour victories-160+tournaments wins for a career total

Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame-1974

3-time PGA Tour money leader

Tim Finchmen, commissioner of the PGA Tour had this to say about Sam Snead, “No one will ever duplicate Sam Snead. No one will ever surpass Sam Snead because he was so unique”.