7 of the best Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf episodes golf fans will love

OK, so we are all getting bored with social distancing and staying home. We are running out of TV shows and movies to watch, and to make things worse, there’s no golf to keep us occupied.

But I have a solution (or at least a suggestion) — dive into rich golf history and watch classic episodes of Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf. Surely you remember the show: two pros head-to-head on a classic course with a sprinkling of fun and informative segments on the venue or area. It’s a warm breeze of nostalgia. Even better, lots of it is available on YouTube.

Here, for your viewing pleasure, I compiled a list of seven episodes that take place on some of the world’s greatest courses and feature some of the game’s biggest stars. Pick your favorite (or all of them!) and enjoy.

Gene Littler vs. Byron Nelson, Pine Valley, 1962

Curious to see two golfing greats tee it up at what many consider to be the greatest course on the planet? Sink your teeth into this episode at Pine Valley, GOLF’s top-ranked course in the world. The competition is Gene Littler, a World Golf Hall of Famer and winner of the 1961 U.S. Open. His foe? Byron Nelson, who won five majors and is sixth all-time in PGA Tour wins. It’s awesome to watch the old footage of these greats, and you couldn’t ask for a better course to test their skills. Pine Valley’s architect, George Crump, famously got help from many of the greatest golden age architects for his masterpiece. This video is some of the best footage you can find of professionals playing the course.

Ben Hogan vs. Sam Snead, Houston CC, 1965

Ben Hogan vs. Sam Snead. If you want to watch pretty swings, look no further. Hogan, winner of nine majors and the career grand slam, might be the first true student of the art of the swing. A Texas native, it’s fitting to watch him tee it up in the Lone Star State. He goes up against another legend and swing genius, Sam Snead.

Billy Casper vs. Doug Sanders, The Country Club, 1966

Just outside of Boston, The Country Club in Brookline is one of the most historic clubs in the United States. It’s hosted several U.S. Opens, the infamous 1999 “Battle of Brookline” Ryder Cup and will again host the U.S. Open in 2022. Casper won three majors, the Masters and two U.S Opens, one of which was at Olympic Club (which was featured in a different episode). Casper wasn’t a long hitter, but he had creative shot-making skills and a wonderful short game. Sanders, who died on Sunday at age 86, won 20 times on the PGA Tour and was known for his flamboyant style, earning him the nickname, “The Peacock of the Fairways.” It’s fascinating to see how his short swing works on the challenge of The Country Club.

Paul Azinger vs. Seve Ballesteros, St. Andrews, 1995

Two of the most fiercely competitive golfers to ever live tee it up on perhaps the most famous course in the world. It’s not hard to find footage of the Old Course at St. Andrews, but getting to watch a full round of the great Ballesteros tackling it is a bit tougher. This episode takes place 11 years after Ballesteros won the Open at St. Andrews, and two years after Azinger won his only major at Inverness. Many of the Shell’s matches are somewhat lighthearted, but you can tell these two really want to win.

Jack Nicklaus vs. Johnny Miller, Olympic Club, 1997

Johnny Miller, before he transitioned to the booth, was obviously a wonderful player, too. He won two majors, including a famous final-round 63 at Oakmont to win the U.S. Open in 1973. Miller grew up around San Francisco and was actually a Junior Member at Olympic Club, giving him the inside edge over his challenger: The Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus. It’s great fun to watch Nicklaus and Miller trade shots and playful barbs.

Gary Player vs. Peter Thomson, Royal Melbourne, 1962

We recently got to witness the brilliance of Royal Melbourne at the 2019 Presidents Cup, and if you are looking for more of the famed course Down Under, this is the matchup you need. This classic Alister MacKenzie track is usually considered the best in Australia and among the best in the world. This episode features Gary Player and Australian legend Peter Thomson. Both were prolific champions, with Thompson winning five Opens and Player nabbing nine majors and a career grand slam. Between this duo’s talent and the brilliance of the venue, there might not be a better episode of Shell’s. This is as good as it gets.

Peter Alliss vs. Tony Lema, Mid Ocean Club, 1967

I would be remiss if I didn’t include one C.B. Macdonald course, and luckily we have a great one in Mid Ocean Club. Macdonald designed this gem in Bermuda and it features many of his great template holes. The showdown in this episode is between Peter Alliss and Tony Lema. Alliss a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and veteran Ryder Cup player, while Lema won the 1964 Open Championship at St. Andrews. Tragically, only a short while after this episode was filmed in 1966, Lema died in a plane crash.

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