Under the category of great putters in golf history, Arthur D’Arcy (Bobby) Locke is certainly at the top of the list – and there are those in a contingent, led by Gary Player, who would argue that the South African was the best of all time. Locke won four Open Championships in a span of eight years and dominated when he did play the PGA TOUR, earning him the distinction as the first great non-British, non-American golfer. He did it, though, by more than just the flat blade.
Locke was described as having a bizarre personality and an unorthodox style. After World War II, he dressed almost exclusively in grey flannel knickers, white buckskin shoes, linen dress shirts with neckties, and white Hogan caps. He played the ukulele and had a reputation for being one of the game’s great partiers. On the golf course, he moved at a maddeningly slow pace. Large gaps would open in front of him, his playing partners would grow red-necked in anger, officials would threaten penalties, but Locke was unyielding. He never lost his temper or expressed annoyance and was described as cool, shrewd and imperturbable. The American pros nicknamed him “Muffin Face” because of his changeless expression.
