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This file contains materials relating to an award presentation to golfer Gene Littler.
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1976/03/26 - American Cancer Society's Courage Award, White House
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1976/03/26 - American Cancer Society's Courage Award, White House
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This file contains materials relating to an award presentation to golfer Gene Littler.
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Frances K. Pullen Files
Frances Pullen's Working Files
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President (1974-1977 : Ford). Office of the First Lady. 1974-1977
Cancer
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1975-12-01
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1975
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The original documents are located in Box 1, folder "1976/03/26 - American Cancer
Society's Courage Award, White House" of the Frances K. Pullen Papers at the Gerald R.
Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Scanned from Box 1 of the Frances K. Pullen Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
SUGGESTED REMARKS FOR GENE LITTLER PRESENTATION
Friday, March 26, 1976
I know how much the President would like to be
here today, because he admires Gene Littler as a man
and as a golfer. We've spent many Sunday afternoons
watching Gene's femous golf swing, and we've been
thrilled in the past year to watch his triumphant comeback
after a serious cancer operation.
Gene, you are known as the gentleman golfer--
a description of admiration from your fellow professionals.
You are truly a champion on and off the golf course,
and I'm very pleased to present this award for courage--
which you so truly deserve.
GERALD ANVERTY GROA
Gene Littler Presentation
I know how much the President would like to be here today,
because he adminand admires Gene Littler as a man and as a
golfer. We've spent many Sunday afternoon I S watching Gene's
famous golf swing, and we've been thrilled in the past year
a
to watch his triumph comeback after his cancer operation.
the
Gene, know you are known as gentleman
golfer
a description of admiration from your fellow
professionals. You are truly a champion on and off the golf
this
course, and I'm very pleased to present L award for courage
so
which you truly deserve.
(Presentation)
For Immediate Release
Friday, March 26, 1976
THE WHITE HOUSE
OFFICE OF THE PRESS SECRETARY TO MRS. FORD
Mrs. Ford will present the American Cancer Society's Courage Award
to Gene Littler, golfer, at 3:00 PM in the Diplomatic Reception Room
at the White House.
/
Mrs. Ford is National Honorary Crusade Chairman of the American
Cancer Society. She will be joined by Mr. Thomas Ulmer, Chairman
of the Board; Mrs. E. Morgan Montgomery, Vice President of the American
Cancer Society and Mrs. Gene Littler for the presentation.
# # #
Press pick up in West Wing Lobby at 2:45 PM
Kaye
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
MRS. FORD
EVENT:
Present Courage Award to Gene Littler
GROUP:
American Cancer Society
DATE:
Friday, March 26, 1976
TIME:
3:00 p.m.
PLACE:
Diplomatic Reception Room
GUESTS:
Gene Littler, 1976 Recipient, Courage Award
Mrs. Gene Littler
Curt Littler, 22 year old son of Gene Littler
Suzanne Littler, 19 year old daughter of Gene Littler
Thomas Ulmer, Chairman of the Board, American Cancer Society
Mrs. Thomas Ulmer
Mrs. Eleanor Montgomery, Vice President, ACS
Lane Adams, Executive Vice President, ACS
Mrs. Lane Adams
Mr. Irving Rimer, Public Relations Director, ACS
BACKGROUND: The Courage Award is given annually by the American
Cancer Society to someone of distinction who has
had cancer and who has courageously faced the disease
and who is an example to others. This year's recipient,
the famous golfer Gene Littler, faced what was once
one of the most deadly forms of cancer. He had
a melanoma which is a critical form of skin cancer.
Because of early diagnosis, prompt treatment and the
medical benefits for the world of research, he won his
battle against cancer. He then went back to his
profession of golf and emerged the victor in major
tournaments.
The President had originally been scheduled to do this
in the Oval Office but will now be traveling to California.
NOTE:
-Open press coverage
-The group will have toured the White House prior to the
presentation
-Refreshments will be served following the presentation
F320 & GERATO
-2-
SEQUENCE:
3:00 p.m.
You will be escorted to the Diplomatic Reception
Room by Susan Porter when your guests have assembled.
3:02 p.m.
After shaking hands with them, you will move to the
fireplace for the presentation of the Courage Award
to Gene Littler.
3:05 p.m.
You will present the framed certificate to Gene
Littler. You may wish to read the certificate.
3:10 p.m.
At the conclusion of the presentation and photographs,
at your invitation refreshments will be served.
Mingle with guests.
3:25 p.m.
Return to family quarters.
susan porter
March 26, 1976
GREAT FORD
SUGGESTED REMARKS FOR GENE LITTLER PRESENTATION
Friday, March 26, 1976
the
Presiden
like
I know how much the President would like to be
becau
he
advised
admires
Gene
Littler
as
man
and
as
here today. because he admires Gene Littler as a man
got
We've spent many Sunday afternoon watching Gene's
and as a golfer. We've spent many Sunday afternoons
famous golf ing, and we've been -- thrilled in the past year
watching Gene's famous golf swing, and we've been
tumph ameback after 145 cancer operation.
thrilled in the past year to watch his triumphant comeback
you are known as 7 gentleman
after a serious cancer operation.
a description of
from
your
fellow
passe
Gene, you are known as the gentleman golfer--
sionals. Your are truly a on and off the golf
a description of admiration from your fellow professionals.
for
and
E
You are truly a champion on and off the golf course,
and I'm very pleased to present this award for courage-
which you so truly deserve.
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Mrs. Fond - -
when l teakusd you
wene presenting Genz Little
the Pourage Award on Friday -
l Remembrasd this background
info l had in him - He
was invited to the Drish
dinnen but requiled because
of a previous sommethers.
Gulf Digest is" Hz " golf
magazine published by
the New york Manic Times 1
ALEXANDRIA of VA 22308
Gene
Smooth-sw
GOLF NI MO
EATEST
CROSSY: E
PAIRED
UR CLUBS
N TO HAVE
KLAUS
JACK
Editor
NICK SEITZ
contents
Managing Editor
Golf Digest
JAY SIMON
Volume 26
Number 12
Senior Editor
December 1975
JOHN P. MAY
Associate Editors
CAL BROWN
LARRY DENNIS
DWAYNE NETLAND
Assistant Editors
KATHY JONAH
JAMES McAFEE
Art Director
JOHN NEWCOMB
Assistant Art Director
PETE LIBBY
INSTRUCTION
Editorial Assistants
FRAN DELPHIA
42 Jack Nicklaus' Lesson Tee
VENETIA DEMSON
How to hit a draw but avoid a hook
LOIS HAINS
Professional Teaching Panel
50 He came 8,000 miles to tell his secret
JIM FLICK
The bizarre story of a South African and his power theory, by Larry Dennis
JOHN JACOBS
EDDIE MERRINS
HENRY RANSOM
68 The art of putting: the stroke
PAUL RUNYAN
Concluding article of a series by our Professional Teaching Panel
BOB TOSKI
Professional Advisory Staff
86 Add extension to your swing
CARY MIDDLECOFF
From the new book by Jack Grout, the man who teaches Nicklaus
BYRON NELSON
SAM SNEAD
Instant Lessons
Playing Editor
60 Give your leg drive some punch, by Jack Clark
FRANK BEARD
102 Fan your hand to find your correct distance from the ball, by Tom Addis
Technical Editors
FEATURES
JOHN BAYMILLER
J. VICTOR EAST
36 Why Gene Littler had his best year
Contributing Editors
Coming back from cancer surgery at 45, he's made bold changes, by Nick Seitz
DICK AULTMAN
KEN BOWDEN
PETER DOBEREINER
44 The Crosby: greatest show in golf
HUBERT MIZELL
Celebrities flock to Bing's clambake, from Dwayne Netland's book
LARRY SHEEHAN
Contributing Artists
54 America's crummiest courses
STAN DRAKE
It's hard to believe the places Dan Gleason claims he's played
DAVID HARBAUGH
JIM McQUEEN
61
How to have your clubs repaired
ANTHONY RAVIELLI
ELMER WEXLER
Here's one way to help fight the cost crunch
66 Button, button-just one button
Editor-in-Chief
Long collars, open necklines giving shirts a continental look
WILLIAM H. DAVIS
Publisher
88 Most Beautiful Golfer of 1975
HOWARD R. GILL JR.
Beth Boozer, 4-handicapper from Lawrence, Kan., wins our 22nd annual contest
GOLF DIGEST Is published monthly
January through December (Feb. is
92 You don't have to be a millionaire
Annual issue) by Golf Digest, Inc.
Editorial and executive offices at
Three new courses you can play in the Naples area of Florida
297 Westport Ave., Norwalk, Conn.
06856. Second class postage paid at
Norwalk, Conn., and at additional
DEPARTMENTS
offices. 1975 by Golf Digest, Inc.
Reproduction without permission
4 Behind the Scenes
98 The Library
is prohibited. Title Golf Digest
7 Letters from the Gallery
100 Juniors
registered U.S. patent office, Canada
14 Records and Rarities
105 Frank Beard
and other countries. Printed In U.S.A.
17 Henry Longhurst
106 Book Service
CHANGE OF ADDRESS: In order to
20 Joseph C. Dey
107 Results and Reports of Pro
ensure uninterrupted delivery of
25 The Digest
and Amateur Activity
Golf Digest, notice of change of
76 People in Golf
address should be made at least
112 Rub of the Grin
five weeks in advance. For fastest
service please enclose your present
mailing label. Direct all subscription
CREDITS
mail to George Dunbar, Golf Digest,
Boulder, Colo. 80302.
Photographs: cover, Anthony Roberts; 37, Lester Nehamkin;
38-39, John P. May; 40, Will Hertzberg (chipping),
AI Panzera (putting); 44-46, William C. Brooks;
MANUSCRIPTS AND ART: The
47, AI Satterwhite; 48, Anthony Roberts;
NYT
publisher assumes no responsibility
50, Emerson Humphrey: 52, Anthony. Roberts;
for return of unsolicited manuscripts,
54, 61, 63, 66, Bruce Roggeri; 88-89, Rich Clarkson;
art, photographs or negatives. When
100, Bob McCormack.
making submittals, authors should
Illustrations: 42-43, 68-71, Jim McQueen;
enclose return postage.
A publication of
87, Anthony Ravielli. Instant Lessons, Elmer Wexler.
The New York Times Company
WHY
GENE LITTLER
HAD HIS
BEST YEAR
By NICK SEITZ Editor
millions of people in golf who
He was only about 35 feet from the
admire the quiet quality of the man.
cup, but it was cut immediately
I found Phil Rodgers after the
behind a deep bunker.
first round of the Tournament
Littler flipped a wedge shot
Phil Rodgers, a stubby, sometimes
Players Championship in Fort
almost straight up in the air,
irascible veteran, is the resident
Worth. In a demonstration of guru
stopped it just 10 feet beyond the
guru of the men's professional golf
wisdom, he had fled the broiling,
hole and made the putt to save his
tour. He is acutely knowledgeable
110-degree heat of the practice
par. Rodgers' words came back to
about the game and is blessed with
range to take up a position near
me: "He's much more consistent a
a photographic memory that sur-
the cold-drinks box in the air-
getting it up and down."
passes videotape because it has a
conditioned locker room.
On the 416-yard 10th hole, uphill
third dimension. Other players
Rodgers pointed to several
through overhanging trees, Littler
come to Rodgers for help when
salient reasons for Littler's magnifi-
missed the green short and to the
they're playing badly, knowing he
cent 1975 record, including
left and had a chip shot of at least
can remember exactly how they
changes in equipment, changes in
100 feet. He rolled it dead a foot
were swinging when they were
attitude and even, to some extent,
from the hole and tapped in for
playing well-a year ago, five years
changes in Littler's classic
a par.
ago, 10 years ago. In many cases
swing. The changes reflect an
On the 11th hole, a wearing,
Rodgers understands his fellow
incredible willingness to adapt and
609-yard par-5, he was under the
pros' games better than they under-
expand in a 45-year-old athlete, let
high lip of a greenside bunker in
stand their own.
alone one who was told by his
three. He splashed his sand shot
Rodgers and Gene Littler live in
doctors he'd never again tee it up
15 feet from the hole and made the
the San Diego area and are long-
in competition. "But the biggest
putt for a par.
time friends, and Rodgers was the
difference I see is in his short
On the 12th hole, a dogleg-left
first person I wanted to talk to
game," Rodgers said. "Follow him
419-yarder, he was in the deep
about Littler's unexpectedly great
around and you'll see what I mean.
bunker in front of the green in two
season. Less than three years after
He's much more consistent at
and, you guessed it, lobbed out and
undergoing two grave operations
getting it up and down."
one-putted for another par.
for cancer-operations that laid
Since the temperature the follow-
At this point I was conveniently
waste much of the muscle structure
ing afternoon had subsided to a
close to the clubhouse and left the
of the upper left side that tradi-
mere 105 degrees, I willingly if
course, the better to keep from
tionally has been considered
irrationally took leave of the press
suffering heat prostration. I took
crucial to the golf swing-Littler in
lounge (temperature 70 degrees,
with me a new appreciation of Gene
1975 won the Crosby, Memphis
cost of refreshments zero) to pick
Littler's scrambling ability. Best
and Westchester tournaments in the
up Littler as he made the turn. I
known for the smoothness of his
U.S. He finished in the top 10 in
arrived at the ninth green to witness
full swing, which presumably would
eight tournaments this year and
his short game facing a knotty test.
get him in trouble only once every
earned almost $200,000. Consider-
The ninth at Colonial is a 405-
generation or so, he had just staged
ing how much the competition has
yard par-4 with a moat protecting
a magic show that saw him wriggle
improved since he joined the tour
the green. Littler's second shot had
out of dire predicaments on four
20 years ago, it has to be his best
cleared the water but was deep in
straight holes.
year yet, to the delight of the
the rough to the left of the green.
"I now have a fuller repertoire of
36
DECEMBER 1975/GOLF DIGEST
##
gimmicks to get the ball around the
Littler's values have changed
He attributes the improvement
course," Littler says of his scram-
recently in this connection. Says
to a new putter and a modification
bling. He speaks softly and well,
teaching professional Paul Runyan,
in his setup position. The putter,
flavoring the words with a laconic
who has worked with him on his
developed especially for him by
wit. "Maybe the public doesn't
game, "For a long time Gene
Littler's "nutty inventor friend"
realize that all the top players have
thought he had to perform perfectly
Dal Taylor of Carmel Valley, Calif.
to be able to save par frequently.
to be a champion. But nd one, not
features 11 bold, black lines running
Jack Nicklaus is powerful, but he's
even the greatest champion, hits
across the mallet head perpendic-
also one of the best up-and-downers
every shot perfectly. Gene has
ular to the face, giving it its name
on the tour in years and years and
become more of a scrambler since
Zebra.
years. Consistently. That's why he
he's had to."
"Taylor is the guy who got me
almost never shoots a bad round.
The scrambler, of course, puts
interested in buying and working on
He's a great player, but there's
oppressive pressure on his putting
old Rolls-Royces," Littler says. "He
more to the game than striking the
stroke. It does little good to
told me it was easier to align this
ball purely. You can hit the ball just
manufacture a fine recovery shot if
putter. I stayed at his home when I
so well. You might go two strokes
you don't get down in one putt,
went up to play the Crosby in Janu-
up on the field because you hit the
and Littler's putting this year has
ary, and he had a prototype of the
ball better during a round, but if
been far and away the best of his
putter. I took it to the course for a
you recover and putt better than the
million-dollar career. It is almost
practice round on Wednesday. I
other guys you could gain a half
ordinary for him to knock in during
putted all right with it, so I used it in
dozen or more shots. That's why it
the course of a day's work putts
the tournament. I putted super and
pays to practice the short game
of 15, 25, 28, 18 and 35 feet, to pick
won.
more than the long game."
a recent example.
"I was able to line up those
lines better than I'd been able to
The mechanics of Gene Littler's smooth swing
line up the face of the putter. I
Gene Littler's swing is an eye-catching example of the value of smooth
putted for more than 30 years lining
tempo. Close examination reveals mechanical flaws that might bring a
up the face of the putter, and I
less gifted player to ruin. He is swingIng a long iron here, aiming at the gap
haven't looked at the face of this
in the trees (as indicated on photos). Littler takes the club quickly inside
one a single time. I just take those
(1), which results in a flat swing plane going back. He makes a fine shoulder
lines and line them up and drive
turn and gets the club in excellent position at the top (4), but his first move
them right straight through to where
down (5) looks to be a slight spinning of the shoulders which moves the
I want the ball to go. Before, I was
club outside or above his backswing plane. Littler is "coming over the
lining up left and missing a lot of
top" and it may be from this action that he gets a new feeling of right-
putts left. The lines straightened
sidedness, although his swing always has exhibited this characteristic. At
me out."
this point, most players would allow the right side to overpower the left, with
Partly owing to the new putter,
disastrous results. But Littler makes the change from backswing to down-
Littler has set up to putt differently
swing so smoothly-and keeps the left arm and side in such a firm, leading
this year. "I'd been a stand-up
position-that he not only gets away with it but indeed arrives at impact In
putter, but I can see the lines on
a superb striking posture. Through the ball, the clubhead is traveling
this putter better if I set up more
directly down the target line and his left arm is fully extended, still leading
back and under," he says. "I'm
the right. That's a combination that produces power and accuracy.
lowering my right side, more as I
1
2
3
38
DECEMBER 1975/GOLF DIGEST
with
that Jack Nicklaus sets up this way."
the left-side muscles," he says.
LITTLER'S TOUR RECORD
Says Arnold Palmer, with no
"But I am minus some big muscles
Tour
Money
Year
Wins
more than a touch of jealousy,
in my left side now, and I have
Money
Position
1954
1
$ 8,327
28
"Gene seems to have everything
come to realize that either I never
1955
4
28,974
5
rolling right at the hole." Palmer
played that way or else golf is a
1956
3
23,833
6
also has used the Zebra putter,
much more right-sided game than
1957
1
13,427
18
which now is in mass production.
I ever thought it was.
1958
0
12,897
27
1959
5
In addition to a new putter, Littler
"Ben Hogan was so correct when
38,296
2
1960
2
26,837
8
is carrying a full set of graphite-
he said that your left side sets up
1961
1
29,245
9
shafted clubs this year for the first
the swing so your right side can
1962
2
66,200
2
time. He began playing graphite
hit the heck out of the ball. That's
1963
0
32,566
12
1964
woods when he came back from the
0
really what happens in the best
33,173
15
1965
1
58,898
9
cancer surgery late in 1972, then
swings. You pull down with the left
1966
0
68,345
7
added the irons at this year's U.S.
side to get in position to whale it
1967
0
38,086
32
Open.
with the right side at the bottom of
1968
0
61,631
26
"I know I drive the ball farther
the swing.
1969
2
112,737
6
1970
0
79,001
22
with graphite, but it's hard to say
"I feel more right-sided even
1971
2
98,687
14
if it's 12 yards farther or 28 yards
though I don't think it would show
1972
0
11,119
135
farther, because I switched to a
In pictures. But my left side isn't all
1973
1
95,308
18
graphite driver when I started
that weak. It's a fantastic commen-
1974
0
102,822
20
1975*
playing again," he says.
tary on the human body the way
3
182,883
5
"I don't hit the irons any farther,
other muscles surrounding the area
28
$1,223,292+
but I'm really enjoying them. I think
where I had the surgery have
the ball flies softer and more
strengthened. I don't miss the ones
*Through October 15.
This figure includes pro-am winnings and
uniformly. The trajectory is higher.
I lost that much."
differs from our chart on page 108.
I think graphite irons would help
Other tour players who have
the average guy. The shaft is lighter
watched him for most of his career,
on his old cars."
and there's more weight in the
like George Archer, say they can
Phil Rodgers agrees and
clubhead, so it's easier to get the
see a stronger right-side role in
remembers, photographically, that
ball up in the air, especially with
Littler's swing. "He's pushing the
the medium-sized Littler was a
the long irons."
club more with the right side from
good shot putter in high school,
Littler hasn't tried to swing his
the top of the swing instead of
setting a school record. "He's not
woods and irons any differently
pulling down with the left side the
as strong with his left side since the
than he did before his surgery, but
way he used to," Archer says. "I
surgery, but he can still hold a
feels that, out of necessity, he is
used to look at his swing and see a
packed suitcase above his shoulder
playing more with his right side.
car pulling a trailer. Now I see the
with his left hand," Rodgers says.
How does he reconcile that with the
trailer pushing the car. Gene's
What message would Littler give
gospel-like modern teaching
always been an arms swinger. He
the weekend golfer based on his
emphasis on left-side dominance?
has tremendous forearms-they're
intense experience with left-
"I always believed that golf was
thicker than Arnold Palmer's. May-
sidedness and right-sidedness?
played primarily with the left side—
be he developed them working
"Well, I guess probably the worst
5
6
7
8
DECEMBER 1975/GOLF DIGEST
39
thing you can tell the average gol.
is that you have to hit with your
right side. But you have to hit with
the right at the proper instant. Thi
is where it gets tricky. It would be
ridiculous for me to tell a guy to
take the club to the top of his
swing, delay his right-side action
until he's almost to the bottom, and
then hit it with the right side. He'd
probábly fall down. That move
takes years of practice-you aren'
going to find it on the first tee. 1
would never preach a delayed hit.
would tell the average golfer that
the right-side hit Is an involuntary
move that follows from what
precedes it. From the top of the
swing, he should move the lower
body first and leave everything else
up there. But he should try to keep
everything coordinated. That's the
meaning of good tempo."
When Littler talks about tempo,
the world drops what it's doing to
listen, à la those television com-
mercials for a Wall Street firm In
which someone says to someone
else in the middle of a crowded
scene, "My broker is H. F. Burple,
and H. F. Burple says
and the
silence suddenly becomes deafen-
ing as everybody cranes necks to
eavesdrop.
Gene Littler swings a golf club
with the same elegant style Sinatra
brings to a song, Nureyev to a
dance, Olivier to a Shakespearean
A new consistency at getting the
role. The pace is courtly and
ball up and down for pars has
pervaded with poise and control,
characterized Gene Littler's
and it doesn't vary from the first
sensational season. His sand play
shot of a tournament to the last. For
and putting have been remarkable
all the effort he seems to expend,
all year.
Littler might be pouring a glass of
milk before bedtime. If his swing
were a piece of music, it would be
a Strauss waltz.
It is too easy to assume that he
came by his rhythmic action
naturally. His inherent talent is
considerable, but he consciously
practices tempo by the hour and
has evolved definite thoughts on
how to improve it (see box).
Essentially, he strives to be
slow in two potentially dangerous
speed zones: the takeaway and
at the top.
It also is too easy to assume that,
because Littler's tempo is aestheti-
cally pleasing, he has a model
swing mechanically. In truth, his
swing is not one of the 10 or 12
40
DECEMBER 1975/GOLF DIGEST
best on the tour and never has
GENE LITTLER'S TIPS ON TEMPO
been. His tempo is so good he has
time to correct positional errors; his
Swing all your clubs with the same tempo or pace. Swing your
is a forgiving swing. "Gene the
2-iron as slowly as your 9-iron.
Machine" in reality should be called
Concentrate on smoothness and rhythm as you prepare for a shot.
"Gene the Metronome."
Take a couple of practice swings and then hit the ball with that
He takes the club away from the
same relaxed tempo.
ball abruptly to the inside of the
The first foot or so of your takeaway sets up good tempo. You have
to be smooth there.
target line, until it's about horizon-
tal. Then he lifts it almost straight
The top of the swing is the most crucial area for good tempo. If you
up to the top, in tandem with a big
are going slowly just before you get there and just as you start
hip turn. The upshot is that he
down, your tempo won't be bad.
tends to come over the ball with
When my tempo is good, I almost feel I'm swinging the club with
his right shoulder on the down-
my feet. Good footwork promotes good tempo. I've always liked the
swing. If he were to try swinging
way Sam Snead seems to start his downswing with his feet. The top
the club under Hogan's famous
part of his body doesn't appear to move until after his feet start.
imaginary pane of glass that
Don't forget that a golf swing has to be greater than the sum of its
represents a perfect plane, there
parts. Sometimes we get so concerned with mechanical positions we
would be broken glass all over the
forget we have to fit them all together smoothly.
place.
Tempo requires practice, like everything else in this game. I'll hit
Through the ball, Littler turns a
dozens of practice balls thinking about nothing but smoothing out
bit too rapidly to the left with his
my tempo.
lower body, the left knee stiffening
rather than staying flexed for
ram a club through the bottom of
says, "but I don't know where it
maximum power. Sam Snead
his bag after a bad shot-but he
comes from. My doctors have never
swings in a similar pattern, but
doesn't let himself get upset to the
told me anything like that, and
Snead is stronger and can hang on
point it bothers his game. He's
they've been candid with me. I feel
with the left hand better through
smart enough to realize that minor
very well right now and I'm just
the ball.
irritations will pass. He keeps an
living my life for today. I'm on sort
If you aren't careful, of course,
uncluttered mind and reasons his
of a health kick, not eating any
you can sound like the class dunce
way through."
white-flour or white-sugar products.
second-guessing a swing like
Since the cancer surgery, Littler's
Otherwise I live normally-l've
Littler's. That kind of talk is best
attitude is even more philosophical.
always taken pretty good care of
saved for late-night cocktail-lounge
"I have a little different perspective
myself. As long as I feel this good,
discussions about the ideal swing
on life now," he says. "I'm not as
I have to be optimistic. I could learn
that none of us will ever see on
afraid to make a mistake. I shoot
tomorrow that I have cancer, but
this particular planet.
at the flag a lot more than I used to.
so could any of us.
Littler is the first to admit his
I've been very guilty in my career
"I feel very fortunate to be able
swing form isn't what he'd like it to
of thinking negatively. I was all
to play golf again, and I'm paying
be-and still believes he struck the
right as long as I was playing well,
more attention to the game. I used
ball more purely as an amateur than
but when I slumped a little I didn't
to come home from the tour and
he has since-but the telling point
think I could play at all. Now I think
work with my cars and never
Is that he gets outstanding results.
much more positively. My son
practice. I would have to go back
The story is told of the day
got me interested in psychocyber-
on the tour to get myself back in
perfectionist Littler was disconso-
netics and I took a course called
shape. Then about the time I was
late on the practice range after a
PACE that helped me a great deal.
back in shape I'd be coming home
round in the Hawaiian Open, and
I've learned that a better mental
again, because I've always wanted
asked another pro to give him a
outlook is what separates the really
to be with my family. It became a
lesson. Littler complained that he
good player from the good player."
vicious circle. Now I spend time at
had been outdriven by 40 yards all
For the newly positive Littler,
home working on my game, and my
day, hadn't hit a shot on the face of
the future is today. Speculation
play is sharper over-all as a result.
the club and probably ought to be
about his health varies wildly on
"I used to say, 'Give me five more
looking for an easier way to make a
the tour. You can hear, to put it
good years and I'll be off this tour
living. The other pro sympathized
perhaps too bluntly, that he is cured
so fast.' I started saying that about
with him and, somewhat hesitantly,
of cancer, or you can hear that he
15 years ago. I don't say that any-
asked what Littler had shot.
does not have long to live. The
more. Maybe I'm on a little bit of
Moaned Littler, "67."
most popular opinion, usuaily
a mission, trying to give some of the
Says Steve Reid, a former peer
attributed to one medical source or
people who face the illness I did
P.
FORD
of Littler's now working for the tour
another, is that survival is prob-
a little lift. I'm going to play as
office, "Gene isn't a pure striker of
lematic for five years after the type
long as I can play well."
the ball like Hogan, but he makes
of surgery Littler had, but after the
Everyone in golf hopes that will
MERALO
up for It with great self-control. He
five years you don't have to worry.
be a long, long time for Gentleman
loses his temper-I've seen him
"I hear that one a lot," Littler
Gene Littler.
DECEMBER 1975/GOLF DIGEST 41