Miles Bennett
On February 6, 1971, Alan Shepard, Commander of Apollo 14, played golf on the moon. Shepard hit two shots with a makeshift golf club, a Wilson Staff Dyna-Power 6-iron head attached to a sampling tool. The first ball travelled 24 yards, and the second about 40 yards, though Shepard estimated that it went miles and miles. This moment has been described as one of the most memorable in the Apollo program.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of astronaut | Alan Shepard |
| Date | 6 February 1971 |
| Number of shots | 2 |
| Distance of first shot | 22-24 yards (20-22 meters) or 600 feet (according to Shepard's estimate) |
| Distance of second shot | 37-40 yards (37 meters) or 600 feet (according to Shepard's estimate) |
| Estimated distance of second shot by USGA | 120 feet |
| Estimated distance of second shot by Andy Saunders | 40 yards (120 feet) |
| Club used | Wilson Staff Dyna-Power 6-iron head attached to a sampling tool |
| Type of shot | One-handed |
| Reason for golfing on the moon | To demonstrate the moon's gravitational pull |
| Source of inspiration | Golfer Bob Hope |
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What You'll Learn
Alan Shepard's golf club was a modified sampling tool
Alan Shepard was the first golfer on the moon. On February 6, 1971, he took two swings with a golf club, hitting two balls. The first ball travelled 24 yards, and the second about 40 yards (or 120 feet). Shepard, however, claimed that the second ball went ""miles and miles".
Shepard's golf club was a modified sampling tool. The club was a Wilson Staff Dyna-Power 6-iron head attached to a sampling tool. The sampling tool was a five-piece tool made of aluminium and Teflon, which was loosely held together by string when not fully assembled. The modification was necessary to fold the club into the cramped quarters of the Apollo lunar lander. Shepard got the idea for his golf session from golfer Bob Hope, who visited NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston for a television special.
Shepard's golf club, dubbed the "Moon Club", is now housed on display at the USGA Golf Museum & Library in Liberty Corner, New Jersey. It is one of the most popular items exhibited at the museum, alongside Bobby Jones' putter "Calamity Jane II" and Ben Hogan's 1-iron.
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Shepard's first shot went 24 yards
During the Apollo 14 mission, NASA astronaut Alan Shepard became the first and only person to play golf on the Moon. On February 6, 1971, Shepard hit two golf balls across the lunar surface, with the first travelling 24 yards (22 meters) and the second travelling about 40 yards (37 meters).
Shepard's "golf club" was a modified sampling tool, consisting of a Wilson Staff Dyna-Power 6-iron head attached to a contingency sample tool, a collapsible implement used by astronauts to collect lunar rock samples. The club was held together loosely by string when disassembled and was made of aluminum and Teflon. Shepard had to modify the club to fit it into the cramped quarters of the Apollo lunar lander. Due to the inflexible nature of his spacesuit, he was only able to take one-handed swings, which limited the strength and speed of his shots.
Shepard's golf session on the Moon was inspired by a visit from famed golfer Bob Hope to NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston. Hope brought his golf club with him, and Shepard wanted to demonstrate the Moon's gravitational pull, which is one-sixth that of Earth. While the golf balls remain on the Moon, Shepard's "golf club" and the sock he used to smuggle the club head onto the rocket are now on display at the US Golf Association Headquarters in New Jersey.
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The second ball went 40 yards
Shepard's “miles and miles" hyperbole was an exaggeration, but it was meant to demonstrate the moon's gravitational pull, which is one-sixth of that on Earth. The moon is essentially one giant bunker, with rocks and sand everywhere. It would be hard for a fully-suited astronaut to tee the ball up on the surface, and the pressurised suits restricted movement. There was also little gravity to pull the clubhead down toward the ball.
Shepard's golf shot was a light-hearted moment in a serious endeavour. It cost $25 billion, and the Apollo 13 mission had failed to reach the moon less than a year earlier. Shepard had to get permission to bring his golf club, and he promised not to try if anything went wrong. He waited until all other tasks were completed before taking his shots.
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Shepard's golf balls are still on the Moon
Fifty years ago, on February 6, 1971, NASA astronaut Alan Shepard became the first person to play golf on the Moon. Shepard hit two golf balls using a makeshift golf club, and these balls remain on the Moon's surface to this day.
Shepard was the Commander of the Apollo 14 mission and the fifth person to walk on the Moon. He was also a keen golfer and had been inspired to take a club to the Moon after meeting famed golfer Bob Hope at NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston. Shepard's golf club was a Wilson Staff Dyna-Power 6-iron head attached to a sampling tool. This unusual design was necessary to allow the club to fit inside the cramped Apollo lunar lander.
Shepard took two swings during a live broadcast from the Moon. The first shot was a bit of a dud, with Shepard shanking the ball into a nearby crater. The second shot was more successful, and Shepard estimated that it travelled “miles and miles”. However, this was an exaggeration, and recent analysis suggests the ball travelled closer to 120 feet (40 yards or 37 metres).
Shepard's golf balls were recently identified in high-resolution scans of the original flight film. Image specialist Andy Saunders also analysed archival stills and video footage to identify Shepard's golf balls, footprints, and divots. Using images from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, Saunders was able to measure the distance of Shepard's second shot.
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The golf club is now in a museum
The golf club used on the moon now sits in a museum, but its journey there was not without challenges and interesting moments. The club, a Wilson Staff Dyna-Power 6-iron head, was attached to a sampling tool made of aluminum and Teflon. This unique combination was necessary to accommodate the cramped conditions of the Apollo lunar lander. The idea for this unconventional club came from golfer Bob Hope, who visited NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston for a television special. Hope's presence sparked astronaut Alan Shepard's inspiration to take a golf swing on the moon, demonstrating the moon's gravitational pull, which is one-sixth of Earth's.
Shepard's golf session on the moon occurred during the Apollo 14 mission on February 6, 1971. He took two swings, with the second ball reportedly going "miles and miles," according to Shepard's on-camera comment. However, new analysis from the United States Golf Association (USGA) suggests an exaggeration in Shepard's estimate. The first ball traveled 24 yards (22 meters), while the second ball went about 40 yards (37 meters).
Shepard's golf club, dubbed the "Moon Club," is now a popular exhibit at the USGA Golf Museum & Library in Liberty Corner, New Jersey. It sits alongside other notable golf artifacts, such as Bobby Jones' putter "Calamity Jane II" and Ben Hogan's 1-iron. Shepard's donation of the club to the USGA during a U.S. Open ceremony at the Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York, ensures its place in golfing history.
The club's journey to the museum began with Shepard's initial inquiry, which was met with resistance from Manned Spacecraft Center director Bob Gilruth, who replied, "Absolutely no way." However, Shepard persisted, and with permission granted, he promised not to conduct the test if any issues arose during the mission. He waited until all other tasks were completed before taking his swings. Shepard's golf balls, along with the life support backpacks and a TV camera, remain on the moon, visible in photographs taken by the Apollo 14 crew.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Alan Shepard played golf on the moon.
Alan Shepard was Commander of Apollo 14 and the first man in space from America.
Alan Shepard used a makeshift golf club, a Wilson Staff Dyna-Power 6-iron head attached to a sampling tool.
The first ball travelled 24 yards (22 metres) or 60 feet and the second ball travelled 40 yards (37 metres) or 120 feet.
Alan Shepard was inspired to play golf on the moon by golfer Bob Hope, who brought his golf club to NASA headquarters in Houston.
