The Dozen Coolest Golfers Ever?

by Bob Fagan

Who are the coolest professional golfers? This is not about their accomplishments, but rather more about demeanor and style.

First you have to define what cool is. Here are my criteria. The “cool” golfer is not necessarily handsome. Charisma by itself is not enough to qualify. They might exhibit a hint of 007’s James Bond’s timing or appeal, but the emphasis is on exuding a relaxed “cool,” and giving the impression of being totally at ease with themselves. Their walk is not hurried as they are apt to determine their own pace and never look rushed or flustered—and they play as if they almost didn’t care about their score or who was or wasn’t watching. They are not intense, aggressive, neither quick in gait nor plodding. but they do have style and personality—often unique. They are seldom vocal, but when they do say something, it is usually interesting. They do not set out to be cool, but they just are. And the really, really cool players could care less about being on this silly list!

By that definition, charismatic players such as Tiger Woods, Rickie Fowler, Greg Norman, Seve Ballesteros, Ian Poulter, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, and Doug Sanders don’t qualify for they appear to me to be quite image conscious, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Gary Player was just a bit too intense and not carefree enough—and that’s not bad either. Lee Trevino, Payne Stewart Gary Player, and Chi Chi Rodriquez tended to be attention seekers in the showman sense so they don’t make it. Ben Crenshaw gave us too much “aw shucks” while Phil Mickelson smiles too much in awkward instances. For smoothness and tempo, Sam Snead, Gene Littler, Geoff Ogilvie, Steve Elkington, and Luke Donald come close. Many of today’s men are a combination of just too mechanical and intense in their demeanor to qualify.

You may have an entirely different perspective, but here are my Kings of Cool:

Pretty Darn Cool

Surprise Honorable Mention “Cool”—Tom Kite. Tom Kite is the epitome of the “Little Engine That Could”—the “Anti-Cool” which actually is really cool! A contemporary of mine, I've seen him over the years when no one else is around and he is always smiling, appreciative, gracious, hard-working, honest, candid, has a sense of humor, and more. He’s no one’s fashion idol or leading man, but to me he is damn cool!

12. Arnold Palmer—in his later years, Arnie has evolved into “cool.” His earlier intensity was anything but easy or relaxed as he was more apt to exhibit the moves of a charging fighter full of testosterone both on and off the course. Now he has matured into the “Patriarch of the Game,” which is cool. And if charisma counts, Arnie remains “The King.” “King Cool.”

11. “Champagne Tony” Lema—generous and fun with style and grace described this talented handsome man who came from modest beginnings to the forefront of the game before tragically losing his life a plane crash. “Stylishly Cool”

10. Calvin Peete—a small, slender man with a bent arm and a diamond embedded in his front tooth, Calvin Peete wasn’t just a black man playing a white man’s game, he was at the very top of his profession for the 1980s. He was one of the most accurate players to ever step on a tee.

“Quiet Cool.”

9. Ernie Els—”The Big Easy” didn’t get his name for no reason. A charitable gentleman with so much talent and such a smooth yet powerful game, he seems to just effortlessly move around the course in a pleasant, but skilled way which defines “cool.” “Big Cool.”

7. Ben Hogan—immaculately groomed with a calm, cool intensity, and a stare and poise that were almost unearthly. He could have cared less about being “cool,” which made him much more so. Just to watch him place his hands on a grip was cool. His swing pictures are more than cool. Even his intensity was cool. “Intensely Cool.”

Ultra Cool

6. Dave Marr—debonair and an impeccable dresser who was quietly outgoing and so well-spoken. His conversational skills and wit matched his big smile. He had an equally stylish classic golf swing and mixed as easily with the big city rich and famous as his fellow golfers. “Stylishly Cool.”

5. Jimmy Demaret—charmingly handsome with a big outgoing personality and great wit, he has been described as one of the most physically gifted golfers to ever play the game. An entertaining commentator, club singer, comedian, and the first of golf’s truly dapper dressers, Demaret moved around a golf courses hitting shots that even Ben Hogan marveled at. He also moved with the movie stars and other entertainers and 31 wins together with his three Master’s victories are not too shabby either. “Outgoing Cool.”

4. Freddie Couples—Still a heart throb into his fifties and equally appreciated by guys, Freddie is the King of Cool for his American generation. That huge shoulder turn, smooth tempo, and his “devil-may-care” attitude mask an intensely competitive person. Other than that, what you see with Freddie is pretty much what you get. “Casual Cool.”

3. Julius Boros—a quiet gentle bear of a man nicknamed “Jay” or “Moose” with his syrupy old “swing easy, hit hard” motion made the game look sooo, sooo easy and cool. Never appeared flustered or changed expression, Boros remains the oldest player to win a major Championship. “Easy Cool.”

2. Don January—as Johnny Miller said, “Don January was Clint Eastwood before Clint Eastwood was Clint Eastwood.” This lean, laconic Texan’s whole demeanor from his long, slow very upright swing that generated big hits, the cigarette dangling from his lips, collar pulled up, and most of all his slow steady gait defined “cool.” January was NEVER rushed or seemed flustered. “Just Plain Texas Cool.”

1. Miguel Angel Jimenez—any guy who is called “The Mechanic” and owns fast cars, has a pot-belly, smokes cigars during play, and wears his curly reddish hair in a ponytail has a great start. It is Jimenez’s demeanor that seals the deal—aloof, but not robotic—an apparent connoisseur of life. “Why Not Cool?”