In the early 1960s, Shell Oil produced a series called The Wonderful World of Golf. Every week the match was in a different country, featuring an American touring pro playing a pro from the host country. <\/p>\n
One of the matches in the year’s lineup would be on an America course. In 1963, the American match was between Jack Nicklaus and Sam Snead at Pebble Beach. <\/p>\n
Years later, all the WWoG matches were released on DVD–except this one. Because of a contractural barrier, this episode was prevented from being released. <\/p>\n
But now you can see it.<\/a><\/p>\n Pebble Beach was a different course back them. It was somewhat ragged, especially the edges of the bunkers, not the pristine $500 per round course it is now. You’ll notice that right away when you watch the video.<\/p>\n Notice also that they left the pin in when they putted. The rules allowed that back then.<\/p>\n Notice also the forecaddies marking the way when the players hit their blind second shots on #6. That would not be allowed now.<\/p>\n Notice the dimples on Nicklaus’s ball at 36:55.<\/p>\n And then there’s the dog at 31:11.<\/p>\n Keep your eyes open and you’ll see a lot of other quirky things from the time.<\/p>\n But watch the ball flight when they hit long irons, which they hit a lot of. High, straight, just as easy as pie. I would like to see the pros hit those shots with those clubs today.<\/p>\n Oh, yes, one more thing. Those were the early days of color television. Very few programs were in color and this was one of them. A neighbor who lived down the hill from us let me do odd jobs around his property and in payment I got to come to his house on Sunday afternoon and watch WWoG in color. <\/p>\n The money, if he had paid me, would have have been so long gone and I would have no idea now what I did with it. But the memories of watching these shows is still with me.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In the early 1960s, Shell Oil produced a series called The Wonderful World of Golf. Every week the match was in a different country, featuring an American touring pro playing a pro from the host country. One of the matches in the year’s lineup would be on an America course. In 1963, the American match … Continue reading Nicklaus Vs. Snead at Pebble Beach<\/span>