Bring Back The PGA Championship Long Drive Contest!

While we wait for the onslaught of remembrances celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Shaun Micheel's unforgettable win over Chad Campbell in the 2003 PGA at Oak Hill--goosebumps just typing that--Jason Sobel posts a super piece on Jack Nicklaus's memories of winning 1963 PGA at Oak Hill.

He reminds us that Nicklaus won the pre-event long drive contest that the PGA of America held until some time into the 1980s. And wouldn't that be a fun way to liven up Tuesday of PGA week again? Of course today's Hogan's and Snead's would never do it, but it might still be fun to see some lesser known players and maybe a few club pros have some fun.

There was also this:

He won with a mammoth drive of 341 yards and received a money clip that was engraved, “DRIVING DISTANCE WINNER.”

He remembers this because the money clip has stayed in his pocket every day for the past 50 years.

Think about that for a minute: For all of the accolades and treasures heaped upon Nicklaus during his career, the one which has remained closest to him, joining him on journeys around the world, along for the ride on experiences fit for a king, is a money clip for winning a long-drive contest.

“That drive was 341 yards, 17 inches. I do remember that, too,” he says proudly. “That was an 11‑degree wood driver, 32 ¾‑inch Dynamic Edge shaft. Everybody used the same golf ball, so nobody had a preference on what golf ball was hit.”

Comments

[Hawkeye]

As for the 2003 PGA, it proved that a major championship's legacy is actually less about the golf that was played than about WHO played it. The last six holes was an absolute thriller, filled with clutch shots and putts interspersed with the odd pressure-induced gaffe. Had exactly the same duel, with exactly the same shots, been performed by Tiger and Singh/Mickelson/Els instead of Shaun Micheel and Chad Campbell, it would have been considered one of the most exciting finishes ever and a bona fide classic. As we see, that's not the case, but it sure isn't because of the golf that was played. I think that's a shame.

[fyg]

Geoff, Nicklaus won the '63 PGA at the Dallas Athletic Club.

[smails]

Great Idea. now, who are you going to get to play in it, since tour players don't want to sign autographs, let alone hang around for a long drive contest.

[johnnnycz]

"That drive was 341 yards, 17 inches. I do remember that, too,” he says proudly. “That was an 11‑degree wood driver, 32 ¾‑inch Dynamic Edge shaft. Everybody used the same golf ball, so nobody had a preference on what golf ball was hit.”

Hmm. Might just add that to my "are you good enough to turn pro...and win" junior criteria. Now...off to find an old 6-screw Eye-O-Matic!


Long drive contests among one's peer group is one of the best things golf has ever had to offer in terms of camaraderie and plain-ole-fashioned friendship. Shame it's gone the way of the dodo and been replaced with white belts and pants these days.

[The Pro from Dover]

@ Johnnycz Long drive contests were always held at state, regional, opens and large events. It was a fun time for players to relax and get together for some good-humor fun before the event started. Today's players would have their agent try and negotiate for appearance fees to participate. The PGA Championship still conducts a Past Champions Clinic, and Nicklaus follows suit at his event with a clinic that he MC's on the driving range on Wednesday before the tournament starts.

[D. maculata]

Somebody help me with this. The Eye-O-Matic persimmon driver was a bore-through hosel design. The shaft length doesn't wash, not even for 3-wood?

[No longer Used to be Former Stack & Tilt Convert]

Agree with Hawkeye, it is sad that some can only enjoy great golf if it is being played by "name" players.

Long Drive competition is kinda like the slam dunk contest--TW would have done it while he was young, Phil would try it now. Once the PGA of America realizes they can make extra money from it, it will be back.

[Mashie]

32 a typo. I recall Jack used a driver shoter in length than standard, which was 43 back then. I am surprised at the loft. I thought he used 9 degree. There is a great old photo of Jack and Arnie holding their drivers up to the camera. Jack's was a MacGergor and Arnie's a Hogan with the "speed slot". Soon as I saw that photo I begged my dad for a Hogan Driver. Funny because Arnie was a Wilson man.

[3foot1]

Jack is never going to let Sobel forget the 32" driver line. He should invite Sobel for a round at Muirfield -- and make Sobel play with a specially built 32 (and 3/4" ) -- persimmon driver.

[Chuck]

For Jack to have played against his peers in circumstances where they all played the same ball would be a big boost to Jack. Because for much of his prime, he was contracted to MacGregor and their frankly inferior Tourney golf ball. Jack won about half of his majors despite being handicapped with one of the worst balls on tour.

I think it is pretty easy to see Jack's little dig about "everybody used the same ball." No one would know better than Jack. He was really long in his day.

[DTF]

I was looping for a friend in the Hogan Tour event at River North way back in the day and they held a long drive contest. Jumbo Elliot was absolutely crushing the field with a whole host of tape measure shots when my player said...

..."that's nothing, last year we had this guy by the name of John Daly who"...

...a few months later Squeek lead him to a major championship title!

[Short Knocker]

341 yards back in 1963, huh? I can't believe the ball hasn't been rolled back in these last 50 years!!!!!!!!!!1!1!!!!1