Great Scot Sam Torrance talks all things golf

SAM Torrance was a prolific player throughout the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s winning 46 professional tournaments including the 1980 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Melbourne.

He represented Scotland and Europe with distinction. Torrance represented Scotland at the World Cup 11 times and the Alfred Dunhill Cup on nine occasions.

After his insights into the Ryder Cup last month, the 70-year-old legend sat down with AceOdds (aceodds.com) to talk about his life as a professional and all things golf.

Sam, what inspired you to become a professional golfer?

My dad, really. When I was five, we moved to Manchester. He was the pro and greenkeeper at Rossendale Golf Club and that’s where I started my golf. When I was between 8 or 9, I shot 39 on the nine-hole course and I came in and I told him. I thought he was going to knock my head off. He said, “I told you never to bloody lie to me.” I said, “Dad, honestly, I did!” He dragged me to the first tee and said, “let’s go”. And I did it again and I guess that’s when I found my teacher for the next 50 years. That’s what inspired me … and the love of the game. 

Who were your biggest influences in golf?

Well, my dad would be definitely my biggest influence. I played Seve [Ballesteros] in the Hennessy Cognac Cup, which became the Seve Trophy, in the years after we played it. It was actually at The Belfry.  We were one down with two to play. On the par-5 17 he’s just short of the green. I’m just right of the green. He chips up stone dead. And I dunk my chip right in front of me and then I chipped it in for the half. So, I was one down, one to play. We’re all over the place marching over to the 18th. I’ve teed up the ball, had a wee few swiggles at the ball and I’m noticing around me there are no feet there. So, I think, ‘What the hell is going on?’ And I look up and there’s not a soul there. I’d gone to the ninth tee and Seve and all the others were on the 18th. I managed to win the last hole and finish all square. And then in 1980, I played the Australian PGA and I think I played with [Greg] Norman in the third round and Seve in the last round. Cut a long story short, I won it. When I came off the last green, Seve put his arm around me. He looked me in the eyes and said, “hey, San” – he always called me San. He says, “you’re very tough to beat, eh?”. And for a legend like that, to say that to me meant a huge amount. Seve was a huge influence.

And who was your toughest opponent on the European Tour?

Myself. [laughs]. I think Seve [Ballesteros]. Seve was extraordinary – he had such an aura about him. He was the king. I can tell you a funny story about him. As I said, I played in eight Ryder Cups and I think in seven of them the big five were in the team. [Bernhard] Langer, [Sandy] Lyle, [Nick] Faldo and [Ian] Woosnam and the King: Seve. And the big bonus of that was in the team room, you could ask them anything about golf – anything about your swing, their swing, how to play certain shots. They would help you because they would do anything to win the Ryder Cup. And the story I’m going to tell you about is my second Ryder Cup in ’83 at West Palm Beach. They have this thick rough round the greens which we didn’t really have in Europe. I didn’t play a lot in America so I was not that great out of it. So, I asked Seve, please can you help me with this rough round of greens? He says, “Si, no problem. Come on.” So, he takes me down to the range and he was there with me for at least an hour and he was magnificent – couldn’t have been more helpful. And of course, the Ryder Cup finishes, we ended up losing by a point. We all promised each other we’d come back in ’85 and win it, which we did. But when we came back, I think the second tour we played might have been Spain, not sure. But I was down on the range in this thick rough still trying to get this chipping right and who walks past but King Seve. I said, “Please Seve, por favor, just one minute, come and have a look at it.” And he looked down at me with this beautiful big smile on his face. He said, ‘Hey, San, f… off. I’ll see you in two years!” [Laughs]. Which was brilliant.

How do you think the game of golf has changed since you started playing professionally?

Distance, probably. These guys are now hitting the seven-iron 195. When we played a par-4 of 420-430 yards, it was virtually two woods.  Now they’re driving it 350 yards and wedges 100/130/140 maybe. So, a huge difference there. But it’s down to fitness, it’s down to a lot of things. It’s certainly down to the golf club and the ball. Everything put together has just improved greatly.

What do you think separates the great golfers from the good ones?

Between the ears – no question. I was fortunate enough to play with Tom Watson a number of times. Great man. And I think it was Birkdale we were playing and I asked him, “You’ve won everything in golf, what motivates you?” And he says, “At a young age I learned how to win.” I didn’t really understand it at the time, but I now know exactly what he meant. And winning is what it’s all about. These guys have won 80 tournaments. Seve, Sam Sneed, [Jack] Nicklaus, [Tiger] Woods. It’s just something that they love doing … and that’s what it’s all about, really. And that comes from good thinking … from not doing the wrong thing at the right time or doing the right thing when things are in a bad position or whatever. Just don’t do the stupid thing, do the right thing. And the greats of the game seem to be able to do that time after time.

And how would a golfer ever, say, get to the level of someone like Tiger Woods?

Well, that’s what you dream for and that’s what you work for. Everyone will have an idol. Jack Nicklaus was mine. I once said to him, ‘Jack, do you mind if I give you a compliment?’ And he knew that I was a wee bit of a reprobate and he says, ‘yeah, go on.’ And I say, ‘in the 400 majors I won in my dreams, you were the runner-up every time.’

What is your favourite club in your bag and why?

Driver. I was a very good driver of the ball. And when you hit a good drive, you’re just setting yourself up. You’re in the mayor’s office in your second shot and maybe eight times out of 10. They always used to say, “you drive for show and you putt for dough.” I think it may have changed now. The driver in your hand, especially the distance they hit it now, is a huge weapon.

What advice would you give to young golfers trying to make it in the game?

To work hard, obviously, but to enjoy it. You’re in for a wonderful life. If you can make the grade to travel the world, play golf and get paid for it, it’s extraordinary. Try and get one coach and stick to that. Those are the criteria. Work hard and enjoy would be the two bits of advice I give to them.