CBS SportsLine
Chat Transcript
September 22, 1997

One of golf's greats took the time to chat with CBS SportsLine fans on September 22, 1997.

Find out what Arnold Palmer had to say in the full transcript of his chat below.

Chat Host: Mr. Palmer, welcome and thank you for joining us this morning. How are you?

Arnold Palmer: I'm feeling fine. Thank you very much! I hope everyone is feeling well and below par. I'm enjoying some cooler weather. The only thing really absent is some low scores on the golf course! I also want to remind everyone to please have their PSA checks!

Chat Host: Thank you, Mr. Palmer. Here's your first question.

Question: How will the U.S. do against Europe? Can they win the Ryder Cup?

Arnold Palmer: They will have a tough battle, but should come home victors!

Question: When's your next tournament?

Arnold Palmer: I'll be in the Vantage in Winston-Salem, NC.

Question: Other than taking lessons from an instructor (they're too darn expensive) what would be the best way to improve my game? I hear the book Five Fundamentals of Golf by Ben Hogan is good.

Arnold Palmer: Well, I think you could do very well to read a book called My Game and Yours that I wrote many years ago. It's been published a few times. Of course, the other thing you can do, you can always watch The Golf Channel day in and day out. That's a constant plus for those who want to brush up on their game and keep up with the many tournaments.

Question: Do you get to practice as often?

Arnold Palmer: I don't get as much time to practice as I'd like to. The paperwork, authographing... that and the other things that I have to do everyday takes up a lot of my time. And, I spend a lot of time designing courses around the world.

Question: Are you still driving the ball with the best of 'em?

Arnold Palmer: My driving has been affected a bit by age. I'm still driving it pretty well. I suppose I could say I'm hanging in there with the best of them.

Question: How many courses have you designed?

Arnold Palmer: I've designed over 200 courses and we're currently working on about 50 golf courses nationally and internationally.

Question: Mr. Palmer, I always wanted to know who you like to play with. And, is there anyone in particular who you didn't like playing with?

Arnold Palmer: Roy, I enjoy playing with most of the guys on the tour. I've always enjoyed playing with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. I don't have a problem playing with anyone.

Question: How do you think big money is affecting golf and/or other sports?

Arnold Palmer: I would like to think that it hasn't affected golf... I hope we are able to keep up the traditions and integrity of the game of golf. As far as other sports, it's almost unbelievable how much money some athletes are able to obtain. I hope they can maintain the integrity of their sports as well.

Question: Do you advocate weight lifting for golf?

Arnold Palmer: I don't have a specific stance on that. A lot of players are now weight lifting. Tiger Woods tells me that he lifts weights. I can't be a judge. But, the best conditioned people in golf are the better at the game.

Question: What's your assessment of the U.S. team? Is there a player who would or would not like to be paired with? And, are you happy with Tom's picks this year?

Arnold Palmer: I feel strongly enough about the American players that I wouldn't have any trouble with any of them. They are a wonderful team and a great group of guys.

Question: A lot of people consider you the "Tiger Woods" of your era. Do you agree?

Arnold Palmer: Well, I'm flattered that people think of me that way. I guess I just have to go along with it.

Question: What's you evaluation of Tiger? Many say he swings too hard. What do you think?

Arnold Palmer: I'm very impressed with Tiger's ability to play golf. Do I think he swings too hard? No, I don't. I think he's swinging it just fine.

Question: Can you design something bigger than the Big Bertha?

Arnold Palmer: We have a PHD oversized driver that is as big as the Big Bertha and it's in our line now and will be introduced to the market very soon. I'm using one right now. I love it very much. I enjoy it and I've had some very good results with it.

Chat Host: From PB: Thanks for coming. Nice to know golf is still equated with etiqutte.

Chat Host: From TinCup: My father would kill me if I didn't say hi to you. You are probably the only person I know of he would consider to be a personal hero.