I’m proud to say I’ve always been a member of Arnie’s army. Ever since I can remember, I loved Arnold Palmer; I’m willing to bet you feel the same way. As my buddie RJ said, “He gets  it.”

Today when tour pros like Phil Mickelson sign hats and programs, they often mention they’re following Arnold’s lead. Incidentally, it delighted him to hear that his autograph was worth almost nothing on the market because there were so many of them. His philosophy and everyday attitude was unique to say the least. Here is a small sample.

“Get it to the hole.” He believed there was nothing worst than leaving a putt short. As my Dad said, ”Never up, never in, son.”

This is true for several reasons. It’s all about the driver. Through good times and bad, Arnold’s game was married to the driver.

Always dressed the part, he told Golf Digest in 2008, “The neatly appointed golfer is like a businessman or someone headed to church. He gives the impression he thinks the course and the people there are special.”

A good grip comes first. Arnold was given the grip at age 3 by his father along with the directive, “Don’t ever change it, boy.”

Hey Dad, I could have use this advice. Just saying.

Arnold Palmer didn’t leave behind a tutorial on how to live the perfect golf life, which is just as well, because his life and golf game could never be copied by rote anyway. To play the game as well as he did and look so good doing it, to be adored so thoroughly by the public and his peers and to have a lion-like command of every environment would make a how-to useless. To live Arnold’s lifestyle, have his wealth and influence, and build such a grand family – all the while avoiding the landmines most people face – was too fantastic to be duplicated.

Till next tee time!