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June 20, 1963: Arnold Palmer Ligonier, Pennsylvania, winner of the U.S. Open golf championship in 1960, watches flight of his tee shot on first hole at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., at start of the 1963 USGA Open. Playing in threesome with Palmer are Jay Hebert, right, of Lafayette, La., and Doug Ford of Brookville, N.Y. (AP Photo)
Imago
June 20, 1963: Arnold Palmer Ligonier, Pennsylvania, winner of the U.S. Open golf championship in 1960, watches flight of his tee shot on first hole at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., at start of the 1963 USGA Open. Playing in threesome with Palmer are Jay Hebert, right, of Lafayette, La., and Doug Ford of Brookville, N.Y. (AP Photo)
The late Arnold Palmer embodied the sense of a role model among youngsters with his exceptional golf standards. His in-game approach, alongside his respect for opponents, made him a golden example of how to conduct oneself in the sport. But there have been moments when Palmer lost out his stead too, as he once did during a junior golf tournament. The legend once made the admission in an interview, where he recalled the experience and his father’s bold claim after his mistake.
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When Arnold Palmer let a club fly
The golf legend once spoke about the time when his frustration got the better of him. “Well, I was in a junior tournament. I was 16 and I was playing pretty good…,” he said. While he was in contention in the last few holes of the event, a moment’s lapse on the 17th infuriated Palmer.
“I missed it a short putt on the 17th hole and I turned and let the putter fly and over a row of trees,” he revealed. Gracing the event for his son was Palmer’s father, Deacon Palmer, who had taught him most of his golf lessons.
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AUGUSTA, GA – APRIL 09: Arnold Palmer hits out a bunker during the Par 3 Contest at the 2008 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2008 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images for Golfweek)
Despite eventually winning the tournament, the legendary golfer was scared to death of his antics. “As it turned out, I hold a putt on the last hole to win the match and I got in the car to go home with my family and it was dead silent. There was not a sound, and I expected something…,” he said.
Palmer’s father threatens him on club throw
The silence was deafening but it eventually broke out as Palmer’s father raised his voice. “The next thing I heard was the chewing out and if you ever do that again, you’ll never play golf as long as you live in my house.”
“That was my father talking. He was very serious,” Palmer revealed. The 7-time major championship winner had learned his lesson, but did he ever throw a golf club in rage ever again?
“Well, maybe a little pitch but not real bad. My dad taught me a lesson,” Palmer said.
The golf legend enjoyed a hugely successful career and is regarded as the first global star of the game. Palmer attributed the majority of his success to his father, Deacon, who was the caretaker at the Latrobe Country Club from 1921 until his demise in 1976.
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Written by
Edited by
Manaal Siddiqui