Celebrating Calvin Peete: An Icon of Accuracy
As the 2024 Players Championship unfolds, the golfing world once again converges on the iconic TPC Sawgrass, home to some of the most memorable moments in the sport's history. Among the legends that graced the course, one name stands out for his exceptional precision, unlikely story and record-setting championship performance – Calvin Peete.
As we pay homage to this golfing icon, Eastside Golf is proud to honor Calvin Peete's legacy by offering 14% off site-wide, commemorating his remarkable 14-under-par performance and career-defining win at the 1985 Players Championship.
Peete's journey to becoming one of the most accurate drivers in PGA Tour history is nothing short of inspirational. He was born on July 18, 1943, in Detroit, where his childhood was marked by poverty and health issues, including battles with tuberculosis and a badly broken left arm and elbow resulting from a fall from a tree. Without the means to seek proper medical attention, his arm healed incorrectly, rendering him unable to fully straighten it.
Even after his family of 18 siblings moved to a farm in Florida, golf was far from Peete's mind. It wasn't until he was 23 that he discovered his passion for the game. In an ironic twist of fate, it was his crooked left arm that helped him to become the straightest driver of all time.
His limited range of motion required that he keep his left arm close to his body throughout his swing, and because his body and arms were so tightly bound and working in unison, as he rotated through on the downswing his arms and body turned through in one singular motion - creating a very repeatable golf swing.
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"In a way, the crooked left arm does me some good. It naturally stays close to my side on the downswing and through the ball. This helps me swing the club down on an inside path, and my left arm folds naturally after I've hit the ball."
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He was adamant about ball position during driving, emphasizing consistency and repetition. For Peete, every drive should look the same, with the ball positioned consistently at the bottom of the swing arc. This meticulous attention to detail, combined with his unorthodox swing, propelled him to unparalleled success on the course.
From 1981 to 1990, Peete led the PGA Tour in driving accuracy an astonishing 10 times, averaging nearly 82% of fairways hit during that span. His consistency off the tee was a testament to his mastery of the game and his unwavering dedication to perfection. He also finished in the top-5 on the money list on three separate occasions.
Calvin Peete's PGA Tour driving accuracy stats between 1980 and 1990.
1980: 78.74% (2nd)
1981: 81.86% (1st)
1982: 81.29% (1st)
1983: 84.55% (1st)
1984: 77.53% (1st)
1985: 80.56% (1st)
1986: 81.69% (1st)
1987: 83.04% (1st)
1988: 82.49% (1st)
1989: 82.63% (1st)
1990: 83.67% (1st)
In his marquee victory at the 1985 Players Championship, Peete etched his name into golfing lore by setting a then-tournament-record of 14 under par on the challenging Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. With rounds of 70-69-69-66–247, he clinched victory with a birdie on the 72nd hole, solidifying his place as one of the sport's true legends.
Throughout his illustrious career, Peete's accuracy remained unparalleled. Remarkably, he only hit one ball out of bounds in 1,200+ rounds of professional golf.
Calvin Peete passed away on April 29, 2015 at the age of 71. As we celebrate his legacy, let us not only remember his remarkable achievements on the course but also his resilience in overcoming adversity. His story serves as an inspiration to golfers everywhere, reminding us that with determination and dedication, anything is possible.
Join us in honoring Calvin Peete's enduring legacy and celebrate diversity in the game with Eastside Golf. Take advantage of our special promo and enjoy 14% off site-wide as we pay tribute to one of the game's true pioneers.
Key Facts About Calvin