The two lives of Bobby Locke-one of the greatest putters in golf history.

Part one of two.

Most golf historians will tell you it was Bobby Locke who coined the immortal phrase "drive for show, but putt for dough", and equally most will tell you that Locke himself was the exemplary example of those wise words.

It was for 20 years that Locke was never beaten over 72 holes in his native land of South Africa. Inevitably the question had to be tested, could he compete against the likes of Hogan, Snead and Nelson on their home soil? He won six times in the United States in his debut year of '47, and another four times in the preceding two years.

The elegant power of Sam Snead, watercolor, charcoal, and pencil on fabriano paper.

Locke also managed to finish in the top four in 34 of the 59 tournaments he played. Unfortunately he was banned from the Tour the following year, ostensibly because of a dispute over playing commitments. Locke had indeed given several advance commitments to appear at tournaments and exhibitions, then had not turned up nor given adequate explanations for his absences. However, most believed the charges had been trumped up.

Claude Harmon, 1948 Masters winner and father of Tiger Woods' former coach Butch put it most succinctly: "Locke was simply too good. They had to ban him."

Locke was reinstated in 1951, but his trade mark look - baggy plus-fours, white silk shirts, smart brogue shoes plus necktie all moved on to Europe, Mexico, and Australia.

He wasn't particularly attached to the United States and preferred to savor the varieties that the globe had to offer, he was a world player.

After leaving the PGA Tour, Locke continued his career in Europe and Africa, where he felt more comfortable. He won 23 times in Europe.

When he came to his spiritual home of the British links, he won four Open Championships in nine years, the first at Sandwich - the name he later picked for the apartment complex he owned in Johannesburg - then at Troon in 1950 in what was then a record low score in the four-round format.

The win at Troon established Locke as one of the great all time players, and Troon (Open venue this year) as one of the toughest courses on earth. It's trade mark hole became the "Postage Stamp" eighth, which has seen some of the most dramatic events in the history of the Tournament. That same year, 1950, was when hapless Herman Tissies, the German amateur, was punished by the Postage Stamp, taking 15 shots to complete the infamous par-three.

At just 123 yards and played from an elevated tee it is clearly not the length that makes this hole so ferocious. Its name indicates where its difficulty lies. The green is extremely narrow, and heavily protected by five deep faced Scottish bunkers placed at various compass points around its perimeter. Standing on the high tee, 25 meters above the putting surface surveying the task can make even the greats play it with a cautious....

Locke was the first man to go back-to-back in The Open since Walter Hagen won his third and fourth titles in the late 1920s. When, in 1953, Hogan was asked about Locke's ability with the putter he replied "All of us examine greens, but only he knows what he's looking for."

"He was the greatest putter I have ever seen," said seven-time major winner Snead. "He'd hit a 20-footer, and before the ball got halfway, he'd be tipping his hat to the crowd. He wore out his hats tipping them."

Gary Player reads a putt. Acrylic on canvas-140x140cm

"If I had to take someone to putt a six footer for my life I'd take Bobby Locke, said fellow countryman Gary Player. "I've seen them all and there has never been a putter like him."

Player also told how he had played over a 100 rounds of golf with Locke on various courses and greens, and had never seen him three putt.

In work-film on Bobby Locke "mechanics."

Nicknamed Old Mutton Face, Droopy Chops or Vinegar Puss, those who really new him had the fun of experiencing Locke`s lighter side, which was a smiling and charismatic one.

British Open winner of 1951 Max Faulkner, a big fan and friend of Locke told many stories of Locke's sense of humor and attitude to the game. "One legendary aspect of Bobby's game were his rare visits to the practice range." said Max. During the British Matchplay tournament one year at Hoylake, he was off his putting. “Max, come and have a look at me,” he asked. “I can’t find out what it is.”

We walked to the 16th green close to the clubhouse and he had three balls with him. His first putt was hit very badly and it was immediately clear to me what the trouble was.

“Look,” I said, bending down. “The toe of your putter is off the ground; I can nearly get my finger under it.”

Max Faulkner-1951 Open champion-acrylic on card-70x100cm-CLICK ON IMAGE TO EXPAND

“Yee-es,” Bobby said in his quiet voice. His next putt touched the hole on the left hand side and his third touched it on the right.

“Thank you very much,” he said. “That’s it.”

I walked forward to pick up the balls and when I turned round to throw them back to him, he was already walking back to the clubhouse.

“Hey, aren’t you going to hit any more?” I asked.

“No, that’s enough for me,” he replied. “I’ve got it now.”

For a beautiful 5 layer colour screenprint of the above sketch please press the link below.

https://www.billknowlesgolfart.com/product-page/bobby-locke-and-the-stages-of-the-putt

Part 2 includes analysis and film.

The Locke swing stood out with its idiosyncrasies and unconventional habits, and yet his mannerisms were charmingly simple, even poetic.