What Golfer Was Known as the Squire?

The golfer known far and wide as The Squire was the legendary Gene Sarazen. He was a titan of the game's golden age, a seven-time major champion whose influence extends far beyond his impressive trophy case. This article will not only tell you about the man and the origins of his classic nickname but also explore his game-changing invention and what lessons an everyday golfer can take from his incredible career.

Who Was "The Squire" Gene Sarazen?

Born Eugenio Saraceni in 1902 to poor Italian immigrants in New York, Sarazen’s story is a true rags-to-riches tale. Like many of the era's great players, he got his start in golf as a caddie, learning the game by observing the members he carried for at local clubs. He was a natural talent, but more than that, he was fiercely determined and incredibly hardworking.

He turned professional as a teenager, anglicizing his name to Gene Sarazen because he felt it sounded more "professional," like a golfer. It was a good decision. By the age of 20, he had burst onto the national scene by winning both the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship in 1922. He was a compact, powerful player who overcame his relatively small stature (he stood just 5’5”) to become one of the longest hitters of his time. His brash confidence and immense talent quickly made him one of golf's premier stars, putting him on a pedestal alongside luminaries like Walter Hagen and his great rival, Bobby Jones.

The Nickname's Origin: Gentleman Farmer

So, where did the nickname “The Squire” come from? It had nothing to do with how he acted on the course in his early, fiery days. Instead, it came later in his life, reflecting a change in his status and lifestyle.

In the late 1920s, with his career earnings growing, Sarazen purchased a sizeable farm and land in Germantown, New York, and also a cattle ranch in the area. A "squire" is an old English term for a country gentleman or a chief landowner in a district. The title conveyed a sense of respect, stability, and landed authority. The sportswriters of the day, particularly the famed Grantland Rice, thought it was a perfect fit for Sarazen, the son of a carpenter who had now become a man of substance and a gentleman farmer. He was no longer just the scrappy kid from Harrison, he was The Squire.

The name stuck because it perfectly captured the dignified, elder statesman persona he adopted later in his career. It spoke to his connection to the land and a quiet, thoughtful nature that stood in contrast to his competitive fire on the course.

Sarazen’s Monumental Impact on Golf

Being a major champion with a great nickname already cements a place in history. But Sarazen’s contributions go so much deeper, fundamentally altering the way golf is played. He was not just a player, he was an innovator.

The Inventor of the Modern Sand Wedge

If there is one thing every single golfer should thank Gene Sarazen for, it’s the sand wedge. Before Sarazen, a greenside bunker shot was the most feared shot in golf. Players used thin-bladed clubs called "niblicks" (similar to a modern 9-iron), which had sharp leading edges that would dig deep into the sand, making it nearly impossible to get the ball out cleanly.

Sarazen, being a thoughtful problem-solver, knew there had to be a better way. The idea reportedly struck him while taking a flying lesson with the famous aviator Howard Hughes. He noticed how the flaps on the wings of the plane lowered to create lift during takeoff. He wondered if the same principle could be applied to a golf club. Could adding "lift" or preventing the club from digging help it glide through the sand?

He got to work tinkering in his workshop. He took a niblick head and soldered a piece of lead to the sole, creating a wider, angled flange that sat lower than the club's leading edge. This created what we now call “bounce.” When the club struck the sand, the wide flange would "bounce" off the surface rather than digging in, propelling both the sand and the ball out of the bunker.

He debuted his strange-looking new club secretly, famously turning it upside down in his bag to hide it from his competitors. He used it to devastating effect to win the 1932 Open Championship (often called the British Open). The secret was soon out, and the "sand iron," as he called it, changed bunker play forever. Every sand wedge in your bag today is a direct descendant of Sarazen's brilliant, flight-inspired invention.

The "Shot Heard 'Round the World"

Sarazen didn’t just create legendary clubs, he hit legendary shots with them. His most famous came during the final round of the second-ever Masters Tournament in 1935. Trailing by three strokes with just four holes to play, Sarazen stood in the 15th fairway at Augusta National, 235 yards from the pin on the demanding par-5.

He pulled a 4-wood and struck the ball perfectly. It soared toward the green, landed just short, and rolled directly into the hole for a double eagle, or an albatross - a 2 on a par-5. The spectators' roar was said to be heard all over the course. This single, incredible shot erased his entire three-shot deficit in an instant. He went on to tie the leader and won the tournament the next day in a 36-hole playoff. That shot put the young Masters Tournament on the map and remains arguably the single most famous shot in golf history.

Completing the Career Grand Slam

With that Masters victory, Sarazen became the first golfer to complete the modern, professional career Grand Slam - winning the Masters, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship. To this day, only four other players have managed to accomplish this remarkable feat: Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. It is the Mount Rushmore of golf, and The Squire was its first resident.

Lessons Every Golfer Can Learn from "The Squire"

As a coach, I see more than just history in Sarazen's story. I see practical lessons that can help any golfer play with more confidence andsmarts.

• You Don't Need Size to Have Power: Sarazen proved that efficient technique trumps brute strength. He generated power through a full-body rotation and a compact, rhythmic swing. This is a fantastic model for most amateurs. Focus on turning your shoulders and hips and letting the club work around your body in a circle. You don't need to swing out of your shoes, you need to swing in sync.
• Be a Problem-Solver: When a part of your game is struggling, don't just get frustrated. Get curious. Sarazen faced a problem - bunker shots - and instead of surrendering to it, he invented a solution. If you keep making the same mistake, think about why it's happening. Is it your setup? Your club choice? Your strategy? Thinking like an inventor, even on a small scale, can unlock huge improvements.
• Trust Your Process: When Sarazen stood over that 4-wood on the 15th at Augusta, or when he first stepped into a bunker with his homemade club, he had confidence in his idea and his ability to execute. On the course, doubt is a killer. Once you've decided on a club and a shot, commit to it wholeheartedly. A confident swing at the wrong target is often better than a tentative one at the right one.

Final Thoughts

Gene Sarazen was a founding father of modern golf. "The Squire" was a perfect title for a man who rose from humble beginnings to become a respected champion and gentleman of the game, best remembered for one of the greatest shots ever struck and for single-handedly inventing the club that made bunker play manageable for us all.

That spirit of innovation - of finding a smarter way to handle a problem on the course - is something all golfers can learn from. One reason we developed our app, Caddie AI, was to give every golfer a tool for those tough situations. When you're facing a challenging lie in the deep rough or need a second opinion on the best way to play a tricky par-4, Caddie AI helps you problem-solve in real time. For those especially tricky situations, you can snap a photo of your ball's lie, and I'll analyze it to offer a simple strategy, turning a moment of doubt into a confident decision, much like Sarazen did with his trusty sand iron.