The Decider: Tell Me The Greatest Shot Ever Played

by Ryan Ballengee on Jul 10, 2009 11:55 AM EDT

In this week's Decider, we need your help to identify the great golf shot ever played - that someone actually saw. Jackie Gagne is disqualified. Mancil Davis has too many holes-in-one to compete. But Lawrence Donegan is nominating Paddy Harrington's 5 wood to the 17th at Birkdale as the greatest shot ever. His claim is buoyed by European Tour standout and former Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance.

Here's a look at the shot again, in case you've forgotten it.

Of course, there are a ton of other shots to consider:

..and so many more.

What I need you to tell me is: What is the greatest shot ever played?

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Comments

Ben Hogan

1950. Merion. 1-iron. Post-near-death experience. One of the greatest golf photos in existence, which I have displayed prominently in my golffice.

by Double Eagle on Jul 10, 2009 12:02 PM EDT reply actions

I have to agree with Eagle – how did that shot by Hogan get left off the list ?

FROM the list, however, have to go with Sarazen’s double eagle.

I had already seen the chip at 16 before – Davis Love III did it a couple years before from a tougher spot. He just didn’t have the Nike marketing machine behind him. Nicklaus’ shot was amazing – but it wasn’t to an Augusta National green.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jul 10, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh no, you can pick any shot ever – I was just throwing out a few of the many possible nominees!

Email me any comments or questions at ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jul 10, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

looks like 2 for Hogan

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jul 10, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Make that three.

I’m with y’all.

"Golf is a game whose aim is to hit a very small ball into a even smaller hole, with weapons singularly ill-designed for the purpose." - Winston Churchill

by turnover on Jul 10, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Hogan 1, Sarazen 2

Hogan gets the nod for his shot because of what he had to overcome, but Gene Sarazen’s shot was so sensational it got the then-new Masters off of the ground running in a big way.

Harrington’s shot, while sensational, would not even make my top 5.

I would rank Nicklaus’s second shot at Turnberry in 1977 — where he walloped the ball off of the side of a bush and onto the 18th green on the 72nd hole as big or bigger than Harrington’s shot, and Jack lost by one to Watson moments later.

Watch that shot on the Turnberry replay this Monday night on Golf Channel and tell me it was not one of the best you’ve ever seen.

by Charles Boyer on Jul 10, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

off of a bush ?? I hope that’s on the show !

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jul 10, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

How about

Larry Mize chip in at the 87 Masters
Bob Tway from the bunker at the 86 PGA

Give me time I’ll think of more. Probably stuff noone remembers but me.

by Bill Jempty on Jul 10, 2009 12:17 PM EDT reply actions

Here's another one

Se Ri Pak 3 utility to inside of 6 inches at the 2006 LPGA. There was no restriction as to whether this had to be men’s or women’s golf. Honestly I’d take Pak over Harrington.

by Bill Jempty on Jul 10, 2009 12:22 PM EDT reply actions

would you take Pak’s shot over Karrie Webb’s hole out in the previous major ? Both had great player/caddy reactions.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jul 10, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes I would

Pitching wedge is a hell of a lot easier to hole out than putting a fairway wood to less than six inches. Why do I say that? I’ve holed a pitching wedge myself and still couldn’t break 90.

by Bill Jempty on Jul 10, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions