A Toast to the Tee - The Intertwined Legacy of Golf and Whiskey
In the world of sports and spirits, few connections are as rich and storied as that between golf and whiskey. Join us as we explore this celebrated link, illuminated by the legacy of Bobby Jones and the spirit of The Clover Collection, capturing the essence of tradition, precision, and passion.
The Green and the Grain: A Shared Origin
The intertwined histories of golf and whiskey find their roots nestled within the misty hills and sprawling landscapes of Scotland. Traveling down from those rolling green hills to where sandy coastland meets cool Atlantic waves, we find the natural geography that gave birth to the oldest style of golf courses. Known as ‘links,’ it describes the sand dunes, open parkland and undulating stretches of Scottish coast that proved to be an ideal layout for the game. The Old Course at St. Andrews stands as the oldest among these links courses, with a golf legacy spanning over 600 years. When a young Bobby Jones played the course in 1926 he noted that he “was a stroke under par for that match and that is something to be happy about, on the Old Course at St. Andrews–to my way of thinking, the greatest golf course in the world.”
Bobby Jones tees off on first hole at St. Andrews, 1927
The temptation to escape work in favor of chasing an idyllic day on the course seems to have been as much of a problem for early players as it is for today’s golf enthusiasts. So much so, King James II outlawed golf in 1457 for being too distracting for his troops, favoring the practice of archery and military tactics instead. Luckily, his descendant King James IV was an avid golfer and lifted the ban in 1502. This would begin a new trend of nobility embracing the sport and helping to spread it around the world.
King James IV might have known a thing or two about appreciating life and culture, for it is during his reign that the first mention of whisky emerged. While the practice of distillation can be dated back to 2000 BC in Mesopotamia, it is not until 1494 that we find the first written documentation of whisky. The document is an order placed by King James IV for aqua vitae, which in Gaelic is uisge-beatha. The word whisky is a corruption of uisge-beatha (pronounced ISH-ca BAA-ha), meaning ‘water of life’.
The MacDonald boys playing golf, attributed to William Mosman 1740’s
The camaraderie of the golf clubhouse naturally welcomed the warmth of whisky, becoming an inseparable part of golf culture. Post-match celebrations with a dram of whisky became a cherished tradition, bonding players over shared victories and defeats. So engrained did the custom of a post-round drink become with golf, that the term “nineteenth hole” became an expression to refer to any bar, pub, or clubhouse near the course where golfers could meet to share a glass of whisky together.
As whisky production expanded across Europe, it found fertile ground in the New World, where European settlers brought their distillation techniques to the Americas. The spelling ‘whisky’ became associated with spirits hailing from Scotland, Canada and Japan, while ‘whiskey’ denotes varieties from Ireland and the United States. Scottish soldiers, immigrants and expatriates would also bring golf across the pond, laying the foundation for two cherished American pastimes.
Bobby chips out of bunker at St. Andrews, 1930
Bobby Jones: A Legacy Beyond the Greens
Robert Tyre Jones Jr. was born on March 17, 1902 in Atlanta, Georgia. Known affectionately as Bobby by his fans, and as Bob to his close friends, he would grow up to become one of the most renowned golfers in the history of the sport.
During his youth, Bobby enjoyed fishing, tennis and scampering about the verdant fairways of East Lake Golf Club with a few golf clubs that had been sawed down to a child-friendly size. It was during this time that Bobby had his first stroke of luck with the sport, coming face to face with the Scottish roots of the game.
Bobby Jones swings golf club, age 6
“We moved back to East Lake the next summer, in 1908…soon afterward Stewart Maiden came to be professional at the club, and that was the very luckiest thing that ever happened to me in golf, which is saying a lot, because my entire career, if it may be called a career, has been lucky.”
Bobby would perfect his swing by following the pro from Carnoustie, Scotland around the course and imitating his swing as closely as possible. Those long days on the golf course would pay off, and the luck would continue to follow him throughout his career. In 1911 at just nine years old, Bobby clinched his first junior championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club. As a youth he competed in junior championships, collecting trophies and experience along the way until his U.S. Open debut in 1920 at the age of 18.
His first U.S. Open victory came in 1923, followed by a remarkable 1926 season where he became the first player to achieve ‘The Double,’ winning both the U.S. and British Open Championships in the same year. With the nerves of championship play weighing down on the young golfer, he developed a nightly routine to help clear his mind.
“I have a good, big dinner in the evening in my room, prefaced by two good, stiff highballs, the first taken in a tub of hot water; the finest relaxing combination I know…I usually sleep well, despite the curious strain that is always present, in championship competition.”
The pinnacle of his career arrived in 1930, etching the name ‘Bobby Jones’ in history as one of the greatest golfers who ever played the game as the sole player to achieve the ‘Grand Slam’ – winning the four major championships of his time in the same year:
The Amateur Championship, Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland (May 31, 1930)
The Open Championship, Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake, England (June, 20, 1930)
U.S. Open Championship, Interlachen Country Club, Minnesota (July 12, 1930)
U.S. Amateur, Merion Golf Club, Pennsylvania (September 27, 1930)
This extraordinary triumph appropriately began at the birthplace of it all, St. Andrews, where Hole 10 on the Old Course was named in his honor, and the city bestowed upon him the Freedman title. Reflecting in 1958, Bobby cherished his St. Andrews experiences above all else: “I could take out of my life everything except my experiences at St. Andrews, and I would still have a rich and full life.”
Bobby Jones lifted on the shoulders of celebrating crowd at St. Andrews, 1930
Despite completing this momentous and untouched feat, Bobby remained ever humble and gracious about his achievements. Perhaps it is this attitude, as much as the achievement itself, that distinguishes Bobby as a true legend and golf pioneer–it was not just what he won, but how he won it. From self-imposed penalties, to mastering his nerves during championship play, Bobby exemplified excellence, integrity and sportsmanship.
Please don’t understand me as being unappreciative of my good fortune in the matter of championship. But that is part of what I mean. There was so much of fortune, so much of luck, in my winning that I now feel more than ever that the popular value of championship is a fractious rating; and that golf is too great and too fine a game, and too much an epitome of life itself, for such a ranking to do it justice…
Bobby Jones with his four championship trophies after winning the Grand Slam, 1930.
Bobby often remarked on the distinctions between championship play and recreational rounds–at times yearning for simpler times when ‘golf was only a game.’ Hence, it came as no surprise that after achieving the greatest victory in golf history, Bobby chose to retire from competitive golf in 1930. He was now free to enjoy golf at his leisure, recalling the days of his youth in Georgia, and enjoying a glass of fine whiskey after a day on the course. “There is another difference between just golf and tournament golf. Playing an exhibition match, I eat–and drink–whatever I please between rounds, and seem to play none the worse for it.”
Whether navigating the challenges of tournament play, or enjoying a day of shooting recreational holes back home, it was Bobby’s custom to enjoy three fingers of fine whiskey when he retired back to the clubhouse–once again honoring golf traditions of yesterday with his playing style and rituals.
The Clover Collection: A Tribute to Tradition and Excellence
From centuries of sportsmanship, camaraderie and craftsmanship arises a new golf tradition – The Bobby Jones Clover Whiskey Collection. Named in homage of a beloved birthday gift Jones received from his mother, a gold four-leafed clover pendant. Much like his post-round whiskey ritual, Bobby never played a match without his cherished pendant in his pocket. This pendant, a symbol of hope, faith, love, and luck, was not just a token of good fortune but a testament to the values that guided his remarkable life, both on the fairways and beyond. Today we uphold these traditions and the rich legacy of golf spanning over 600 years with every post-round toast of The Clover®.
The clover pendant gifted to Bobby Jones by his mother
The Clover® is crafted in the spirit of Jones's relentless quest for perfection, mirroring his precision, innovation, and deep respect for tradition. Every bottle represents a single-barrel whiskey masterpiece, aged to perfection in tribute to the shared artistry of golf and whiskey. Distinct and unique, akin to the world’s most renowned golf courses, is our celebrated trio of single-barrel whiskeys – The Clover Straight Bourbon Whiskey, The Clover Straight Rye Whiskey, and The Clover Straight Tennessee Bourbon Whiskey. Whether your heart lies with the historic links of St. Andrews or the hallowed grounds of Augusta National, The Clover offers a selection tailored to the palate of the discerning whiskey enthusiast. Meticulously crafted in limited batches unique to the barrel of which they belong, you will find each expression exquisite in its own way.
Purpose flows through every pour of The Clover. Bought to life in partnership with the Jones family, a share of the proceeds from each bottle of ‘golf’s finest bourbon’ sold supports the missions of the Bobby Jones CSF. Learn more about the family’s philanthropic initiatives here.
Toasting to The Masters: A Tradition Unlike Any Other
Upon retiring from competitive play, Bobby Jones set out to realize a new dream – building a world-class golf course. Bobby was left spellbound by his first encounter with the land that would become Augusta National, a property predestined for a golf course. In 1932, his vision came to life. A national membership was established for the club, and thus Augusta National would be born.
The Augusta National course is known as a masterpiece of golf course design, boasting azalea-lined fairways, lightning-fast greens, and strategically placed hazards that pose a challenge for even the most skilled golfers. It wouldn’t take long to attract the game's most talented to the Augusta, Georgia golf course with the inception of an invitational tournament hosted by Jones – The Masters. Known for its exclusive player field, meticulous attention to detail, and timeless rituals, The Masters Tournament stands out as one of the most unique competitions in sports, known to golf’s most passionate fans as ‘a tradition unlike any other.’
The Masters Tournament and The Clover Whiskey share a similar origin story – born of the desire to uphold the traditions of the past, combined with a passion for innovation. The results give rise to something fresh and extraordinary, both timeless and worthy of enduring praise.
Shared Values: Precision, Passion, and Perseverance
In the pursuit of mastery, whether on the fairways or in the distillery, precision, passion, and perseverance reign supreme. The parallels between golf and whiskey are unmistakable, each requiring a delicate balance of artistry and skill, with a touch of luck.
Every time you enjoy a glass of The Clover you are taking part in the culmination of over 600 years of culture, sportsmanship, craftsmanship and tradition…just like Bobby Jones did when he would enjoy three fingers of fine whiskey after a long day on the course.
Join The Clover Club, where golf and whiskey aficionados unite to honor tradition with a glass of the finest whiskey in hand. Our monthly newsletter serves as your virtual clubhouse, offering a post-round pour and keeping you informed on our shared passions: golf and whiskey. Enroll in The Clover Club for exclusive content, special deals, and more as we journey towards the pinnacle of golf. Cheers!