LAST YEAR LIFE MAGAZINE, in partnership with Google, released millions of historic photos from its archive that can be searched online. Most were never published.
Following are some samples (click names to view) from the world of golf.
Byron Nelson
Perfect position at the top in 1945.
Sam Snead
Teeing off on the 18th hole at the 1959 U.S. Open.
Ben Hogan
At the 1953 British Open. A lone girl watches.
Arnold Palmer
The famous follow through in 1965.
Jack Nicklaus
With Gene Sarazen at Augusta National.
Dow Finsterwald, Gary Player and Arnold Palmer
Prior to the 18-hole playoff at the 1962 Masters. (A guess.)
Billy Casper
Putter in hand.
Jimmy Demaret
Long before there was Ian Poulter, there was “Sunny” Jim.
Cary Middlecoff
Hunching over a short putt at the 1957 U.S. Open.
Gary Player
With his wife after winning the 1961 Masters.
Lee Trevino
Shoes off, under an umbrella, Lee takes a short siesta.
Tommy Bolt
Retrieving his ball at the 1958 U.S. Open, which he won.
You can search historic LIFE photos here.
−The Armchair Golfer
Neil, thank you very much. They are fabulous. A lot to be said for black and white golf photographs, huh..??
Thanks, Vince. Yes, the B&W photos are wonderful.
That is a great link that you have posted Neil. I am glad technology gives us the power to take a peek into the years gone by and relive some of the fine moments. There is one photo of Arnold Palmer, that I must confess, is better than any other picture of his and truly epitomises why he was such a darling of the masses in the 60s. He is standing in front of a plane, probably one of those that he usually flew, and with hands on hips is looking into the distance.
There are many other such wonderful photographs and it is such a treat to see them. Recently I stumbled across a picture of Rod Laver playing an exhibition match back in the 50s. The stadium was packed and that single frame when he is about to serve with the ball tossed up high in the air, captures every little aspect of that day.
Some of those old pictures are truly magical. I gues you guys are right, there is a LOT to be said about black & white photographs!