• LIFE

Arnold Palmer: Rare and Classic Photos of Golf’s Superstar Everyman

3 minute read
Updated: | Originally published: ;

In a huge, multi-page profile of Arnold Palmer that ran in a June 1962 issue of LIFE, writer Paul O’Neil ably outlined the then-32-year-old’s formidable talents while highlighting Palmer’s relentless pursuit of golfing perfection:

Golf is essentially an exercise in masochism conducted out of doors; it affords opportunity for a certain swank, it induces a sense of kinship in its victims and it forces them to breathe fresh air, but it is, at bottom, an elaborate and addictive rite calculated to drive them crazy for hours on end and send them straight to the whisky bottle after that. . . . Golf’s occasional moments of joy, like those afforded by heroin or slot machines, only lure the dupe deeper into frustration, and the better the player the more horrible the contrast becomes. Millions who follow the game have been absolutely confounded, as a result, by certain recent developments in the life of a young man named Arnold Palmer. Palmer seems to have golf licked.

It is not so much Palmer’s accomplishments, however [He won six of the first 14 tournaments he entered in 1962, an utterly phenomenal record. — Ed.], as his method of achieving them which has captured the imagination of multitudes. Golf tournaments, by ancient axiom, are not won — they are lost. A tight tournament can be lost by one drive into the rough or one approach shot in a sand trap. . . . But Palmer, a positive thinker of the most untrammeled variety, actually seems to be able to win — to run the game, no matter who is playing, rather than let it run him.

That phrase, pointing out that Palmer had “captured the imagination of multitudes,” is especially resonant today, all these years later, when Arnold Palmer is arguably the most beloved golfer on the planet. Tiger Woods might inspire more passion — it seems people either love him or hate him — and Jack Nicklaus is, on paper, the greatest golfer who ever lived. But Arnold Palmer is a superstar athlete, a living legend, an Everyman of the links who has somehow managed to maintain the matinee-idol aura that drove countless fans — men and women — to such distraction that they comprised that memorably named, unofficial fan club: Arnie’s Army.

(He also has one of the world’s most wonderful drinks named after him — which only adds to his saga.)

Here, as the 2015 Masters Tournament kicks off in Augusta, Ga., LIFE celebrates the life and career of the one and only Arnold Palmer, now 84 years old and still kicking, through photos made six decades ago, when he was a young man who “seemed to have golf licked.”

Arnold Palmer, 1962
JOHN DOMINIS
Arnold Palmer in a familiar pose -- with a cigarette -- in 1962. The golf legend quit smoking for good in 1970 -- an achievement he ranks with his best.
Arnold Palmer in a familiar pose -- with a cigarette -- in 1962. The golf legend quit smoking for good in 1970 -- an achievement he ranks with his best.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Arnold Palmer, 1962.
Arnold Palmer, 1962.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The surest touch in golf is transmitted through palmer's outsized biceps, wrists and hands. His great strength enables him to drive farther than most pros and helps get him out of uncomfortable situations in the rough. This strength gives him stamina to keep the pressure on round after round.
Caption from LIFE. The surest touch in golf is transmitted through palmer's outsized biceps, wrists and hands. His great strength enables him to drive farther than most pros and helps get him out of uncomfortable situations in the rough. This strength gives him stamina to keep the pressure on round after round.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Arnold Palmer, "the relentless man of sport…"
Caption from LIFE. Arnold Palmer, "the relentless man of sport…"John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
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Caption from LIFE. In home workshop Palmer grinds, inspects, repairs tools of his trade. Palmer's search for perfection keeps him tinkering with equipment.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
In father-and-son match Arnold waits while Milfred Palmer, his first teacher tees off at Oakmont, Pa. Country Club" in 1962.
Caption from LIFE. In father-and-son match Arnold waits while Milfred Palmer, his first teacher tees off at Oakmont, Pa. Country Club" in 1962.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Arnold Palmer and family, 1962.
Arnold Palmer and family, 1962.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Arnold Palmer and his admiring fans, 1962.
Arnold Palmer and his admiring fans, 1962.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Arnold Palmer, 1962.
Arnold Palmer, 1962.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Arnold Palmer, 1962.
Arnold Palmer, 1962.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Arnold Palmer, 1962.
Arnold Palmer, 1962.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Arnold Palmer 1962
Caption from LIFE. Despite his mastery of shots, Palmer sometimes feels compelled to help out with body English, as in playoff round of the '62 Masters, which he won.GEORGE SILK
Arnold Palmer walking at the Masters in 1962.
Arnold Palmer walking at the Masters in 1962.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Crowd watching Arnold Palmer at the 1962 Masters Tournament.
Crowd watching Arnold Palmer at the 1962 Masters Tournament.George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Arnold Palmer, 1962.
Arnold Palmer, 1962.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Crowd following Arnold Palmer, 1962.
Crowd following Arnold Palmer, 1962.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Arnold Palmer, 1962.
Arnold Palmer, 1962.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Working a sideline which adds to biggest income in golf, Palmer signs autographs at stand filled with his products at a Wheeling, West Va., course.
Caption from LIFE. Working a sideline which adds to biggest income in golf, Palmer signs autographs at stand filled with his products at a Wheeling, West Va., course.John Dominis—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

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