Golf facts from Humana sponsored pros.

8 little-known golf facts

Here are some things you may not have know about the game of golf.

  • Among Gene Sarazen's achievements and contributions to golf was his invention of the sand wedge.
  • In the 1920s, Walter Hagen became the first professional to make a living playing golf rather than teaching it as a club pro.
  • Phil Mickelson may be the most successful left-handed golfer ever, but he's right-handed in everything else that he does.
  • Today, purses on the PGA Tour routinely exceed $5 million. Quite a difference from Nicklaus' first paycheck on tour – $33.33 at the 1962 L.A. Open.
  • Before the 1930s, clubs were identified by names. Instead of a 3-wood, 5-iron, or 9-iron, you would have used a spoon, a mashie, or a niblick.
  • Dr. Cary Middlecoff, an honoree at this year's Memorial Tournament, gave up dentistry to play golf and won 37 tournaments, including the Masters and two U.S. Opens.
  • Of the last 10 U.S. presidents, nine have been golfers; only Jimmy Carter was not.
  • Jack Nicklaus grew up idolizing Bobby Jones, who won the 1926 U.S. Open at Scioto Country Club – a course in Jack's hometown of Columbus, Ohio.