Arnold Palmer's grandson who plays professional golf is named Sam Saunders. He followed in the footsteps of his legendary grandfather, The King, carving out his own impressive career on the PGA Tour. This article will not only tell you more about Sam Saunders but will also break down what you can learn from his journey, his bond with Palmer, and the mechanics of his golf swing.
Sam Saunders is the son of Amy Palmer Saunders, Arnold Palmer's younger daughter, making him the direct grandson of one of golf's most iconic figures. Growing up, Sam was frequently seen at his grandfather's side, not just at family gatherings but at the Bay Hill Club &, Lodge and on Masters Tuesdays for the Par 3 Contest. Golf was more than a sport in his family, it was a way of life, and his education in the game came from one of the greatest to ever play.
Despite the immense shadow cast by the Palmer name, Sam was determined to forge his own path. He played collegiate golf at Clemson University before turning professional in 2008. From the beginning, he made it clear that while he was incredibly proud of his heritage, he wanted to earn his place on tour through his own hard work and merit. This blend of honoring a legacy while building your own is a tightrope walk Sam has navigated with grace throughout his career.
Making it as a professional golfer is one of the toughest grinds in sports, and having a famous last name doesn't earn you any free strokes. Sam Saunders' journey is a testament to perseverance.
Like many aspiring pros, Sam spent years honing his game on what is now the Korn Ferry Tour. This is the ultimate proving ground, where players travel from city to city, week in and week out, all fighting for a handful of spots on the PGA Tour. It's a testament to his dedication that he didn't rely on his name for sponsor's exemptions but instead chose to earn his card the hard way. It was on this tour that he achieved a milestone few golfers ever do: shooting a 59 in the 2017 Korn Ferry Tour Championship. This incredible round showcased his potential to go extremely low, a trait he undoubtedly shared with his grandfather.
Sam earned his PGA Tour card and has competed against the world's best for numerous seasons. While a win has remained elusive, he's had several high finishes, including a tie for second at the 2017 Puerto Rico Open. More importantly, he has navigated the immense pressure of living up to the Palmer name with remarkable poise. He carries himself not with entitlement, but with an approachable and friendly demeanor reminiscent of "The King." He understands the responsibility that comes with his lineage - to the fans, to the sponsors, and to the game of golf itself, a lesson drilled into him by his grandfather.
Sam Saunders didn't just inherit his grandfather’s genes, he received a masterclass in what it takes to be a champion. Arnold Palmer's influence is clear not just in Sam's game, but in his entire approach to golf and life.
One of Palmer's most famous pieces of advice, often shared with Sam, was about the grip. Palmer famously had a very strong left-hand grip, which he believed was a source of power and prevented a slice. While Sam’s grip is more neutral by modern standards, the fundamental lesson was about finding what works and owning it with confidence.
Perhaps the most significant inheritance was Palmer's fearless mentality. "The King" was known for his aggressive, go-for-broke style that won him legions of fans in "Arnie's Army." He played to win, and he wasn't afraid to take risks. Sam embodies this with his own aggressive play. He often reaches for the driver and isn't afraid to attack pins. This philosophy - playing with confidence and committing to your shot - is a powerful lesson for any amateur golfer. It's the idea that indecision is the source of most poor shots. As Palmer would say, you have to "hitch up your trousers" and give it a rip.
This aggressive mindset extended beyond shot selection. It was about mental toughness. Palmer taught Saunders to never give up on a hole or a round, to fight for every single shot. This resilience is what separates the players who make cuts from those who don't, and it’s a quality everyday golfers can adopt to avoid letting one bad hole derail an entire round.
While we can't get a lesson from Arnold Palmer, we can learn a lot by analyzing Sam Saunders' more modern, powerful, and repeatable golf swing. Here are three practical takeaways you can bring to your own game.
Arnold Palmer's swing was famously idiosyncratic and powerful, but relied heavily on incredible hand-eye coordination. Sam's swing, by contrast, is a more technically sound model of modern power generation. It’s built around a full body rotation.
What Saunders Does: Watch Sam Saunders' backswing. You’ll see a significant turn of his hips and shoulders away from the ball. He’s not lifting the club with his arms, he’s coiling his an entire upper body like a spring. The downswing is then initiated by the lower body unwinding, which naturally pulls the arms and club down on the correct path. This is how pros generate effortless-looking power.
Your Actionable Tip: The Belt Buckle Drill
A lesson from his grandfather is clear in Sam's tempo. It’s not slow or timid, it’s free-flowing and decisive. Too many amateurs get slow and jerky over the ball because they are filled with doubt. Playing with an athletic tempo helps you get out of your own head.
What Saunders Does: There’s a fluidity to his motion. HIs backswing and downswing have a connected rhythm. He doesn’t "park" the club at the top of the swing for a long time, it’s a continuous motion that harnesses momentum.
Your Actionable Tip: Find Your Rhythm with a '1-and-2' Count
All great swings are built on a solid foundation. You can’t make an athletic, rotational move if you’re off-balance at the start. Sam Saunders has an excellent, athletic setup that you can easily copy to improve your own ball-striking.
What Saunders Does: He stands with his feet about shoulder-width apart for his irons, which provides a stable base for his powerful rotation. He leans forward from his hips, not his waist, keeping his back relatively straight. This posture allows his arms to hang naturally down from his shoulders, giving him plenty of room to swing freely.
Your Actionable Tip: The Arm Hang Check
Sam Saunders has successfully managed one of the most difficult tasks in sports: creating his own identity while honoring one of the game’s greatest legacies. He plays with the grit, heart, and aggressive spirit that made his grandfather, Arnold Palmer, a legend, while applying it to a modern, powerful golf swing that any amateur can learn from.
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