So who is the greatest ball striker of all time? Hogan, Snead, Palmer, Nicklaus, Woods…or how about the man they called ‘Pipeline Moe’?
Canadian professional golfer Murray Irwin ‘Moe’ Norman’s accuracy and ability to hit shot after shot perfectly straight gave him the nickname ‘Pipeline Moe’. He was a prolific winner of tournaments throughout the 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, his unusual swing is now taught around the world, he’s considered a legend by those in the professional inner circles of golf ….yet you've probably never heard of him?
Well just in case you’re thinking perhaps you should know who he is, here are a few of the great stories and achievements accredited to Moe:
1) Moe and George Knudson used to practice together a lot. They didn’t putt. They just kept track of fairways hit, greens hit in regulation, and flag sticks hit. It cost $20 every time you missed a fairway or a green - and you received $100 for each flag stick hit. Moe hit 6 one day.
2) Moe hit 3 flag sticks in a row during one round, all outside a five iron.
3) In 1966 Moe played in 12 Canadian PGA Tournaments. He won five and he came in second five times. He averaged 17 fairways and 17 greens in regulation. He had a scoring average of 68 strokes, the lowest single year stroke average of any one to ever play the game.
4) In the 50's, Moe was practicing on the range when Ben Hogan was practicing. He asked Hogan if he would watch him hit some shots because he had heard that Hogan had said that a straight shot is an accident. Moe hit the first shot and said to Hogan "There's an accident". Moe hit the second shot and said, "There's another accident" After about 45 balls with the same result, Hogan walked up to Moe and said, "Son, just keep hitting those accidents."
5) Moe hit 17 holes in one.
6) Moe had 3 holes in one in one day. In the late 1950's, Moe would play 54 to 72 holes a day. One particular day including 54 holes, Moe had a hole in one each round, the longest being a 3 wood and the shortest a 6 iron.
7) One hole in one of note came after Moe had lost a tournament the week before with a four putt on the 18 hole. A reporter caught up with Moe on the 11th hole, a 245 yard par 3. As Moe was about to hit, the reporter yelled out, "Hey, Moe, doing any 4 putting today." Moe hit his driver and turned around while the ball was still in the air and said, "Not putting today." The ball went into the hole.
8) Moe has over 40 course records, 3 with scores of 59 and 4 with scores of 61. He shot his last 59 at the age of 62 at the Rockway Golf Club in Kitchner, Ontario, Canada.
9) Moe always entertained when he played golf. During one of his course records, he needed a par on the last hole to set the record. He had never played the course and asked the professional accompanying him what club should be used. The professional answered that is was usually a driver and a 9 iron. So, Moe hit the 9 iron first and then he hit the driver within 10 feet and sank the putt for a birdie.
10) In a round with Sam Snead, there was a hole that had a creek about 240 yards from the hole, and everyone else had laid up. Moe pulled out the driver and Snead said, "Moe you can't clear the creek with a driver", Moe replied, "Not trying to. I'm going across the bridge." The ball rolled across the bridge.
11) Moe had a three shot lead going into the 18th hole of tournament. The other two players were discussing great sand players as they were walking up the 18 fairway and Moe's name was not mentioned. Moe's second shot was about 3 feet from the pin. When the players arrived on the green, Moe hit his ball into the trap, blasted to within 3 feet, sank the putt, won the tournament, and walked up to the other two players and said, "I'm the best sand player you've ever seen and my name goes on the top of your list"
12) Moe, and many amateurs sold their prizes for money. Moe would sell the prizes before the tournament started. On five occasions, the person he was selling to didn’t want first prize, but second prize. Moe came in second five times on purpose. He had to be one less than the winner and one better than third.
13) For practice, before the start of a tournament in Daytona, Moe hit six balls off the first tee. Ken Venning, a professional friend showed up soon after and saw that three of the balls were touching and the three others were close by.
14) Moe turned 50 in 1979 and won the next seven Canadian Professional Golfers Association Senior Championships. He came in 2nd in number 8 and won the 9th by 8 strokes.
So why isn't Moe a household name? Well it appears he was ‘different’ and didn't conform to the ‘norm’. His approach to the game, style of play, swing and the way he dressed were all considered unconventional. And it’s said that due to his shyness and after being bullied by some fellow pro’s, he chose to play close to where he lived in Ontario, rather than travel regularly outside of Canada.
Go and Google Moe, you’ll be amazed by his story and the high esteem he’s held in by the world’s greatest golfers. He was for sure the greatest ball striker of all time, and I write this blog to celebrate Moe and his individuality and greatness. It’s a good reminder that greatness results from individuality - and that the best thing about greatness certainly isn't popularity.
