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Billy Burke becomes the first person to win a major playing steel-shafted clubs when he wins the U.S. Open. He does it by outdueling George Von Elm in a 72-hole playoff. That's right - Burke and Von Elm had to play two tournaments before a winner was declared. The rule was a 36-hole playoff in case of ties, but Burke and Von Elm were still tied after the first playoff. So they played another 36 holes the next day.
The Stableford scoring system is first conceived by Frank Stableford, a member at Wallesley Country Club in England. His goal is to create a method of scoring that will be less frustrating for average golfers.
Diverging from a 1920 agreement with the R&A, the USGA mandates a larger - but lighter - golf ball. The specs mandated by the USGA are 1.68 inches and 1.55 ounces.
The concave-faced wedge is banned, but Gene Sarazen's wide-flanged sand wedge is ruled legal.
Bobby Jones films his instructional movie series, "How I Play Golf," which features many Hollywood stars along with Jones. It's the first golf instruction on film, and the first time the golf swing is filmed in slow motion.
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club opens in Southampton, N.Y.
Born This Year:
• Billy Casper, 51-time PGA Tour winner including 3 majors
• Peter Alliss, British Ryder Cup player and television commentator
• Frank Hannigan, USGA executive director, television commentator
• Miller Barber, PGA Tour, Senior PGA Tour
• Ken Venturi, 1964 U.S. Open champ, television commentator
• Jim Ferree, Senior PGA Tour
• Peter Alliss, British Ryder Cup player and television commentator
• Frank Hannigan, USGA executive director, television commentator
• Miller Barber, PGA Tour, Senior PGA Tour
• Ken Venturi, 1964 U.S. Open champ, television commentator
• Jim Ferree, Senior PGA Tour
