Long before launch monitors, large supplies of range balls, and modern practice facilities became standard, professional golf relied on manual systems. 

For someone who has been on the course since 1972 and competed in 714 DP World Tour events, Sam Torrance has witnessed nearly every era of modern golf. 

Speaking on the DP World Tour Podcast on January 8, Torrance revisited one such moment involving the legendary Seve Ballesteros and the search for balls.

“Seve would hit a bag of balls, he’d come back up, drop them in front of me, and count them.”

Seve Ballesteros turned professional in 1974 when golf was transitioning into its modern era. 

“If there was one missing, he’d [Ballesteros] send the caddie back down, ‘Go and find that ball.” This wasn’t about punishment; it reflected how valuable each ball was at the time.

Sam Torrance also explained how limited the equipment was during tournament weeks. Players were initially given three balls to use. If they made the cut, they received three more on Friday, and on rare occasions, if they really liked you, they would give a glove.

Seve Ballesteros' 1976 British Open Moment

Two years after his debut, at the age of 19, Seve Ballesteros gained international attention with his performance at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.

On the final hole of the last round, Ballesteros played a chip shot between two bunkers that finished close to the hole.

Ballesteros then made the putt to finish tied for second place with Jack Nicklaus, behind Johnny Miller, despite having held the lead for three rounds.

That shot, along with others played during the Open Championship, contributed to how Seve Ballesteros came to be recognised.

Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu