The King turns 80: Images and impact of Arnold Palmer

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Arnold Palmer, seen here in 1953, won his first PGA TOUR title in 1955.

Arnold Palmer has spent over 50 years in the public eye, posed for thousands of pictures and authored some of the most memorable moments in golf history.

On Sept. 10, 2009, the King turns 80 and, in honor of his big celebration, we've picked 18 of our favorite Palmer pictures and put together a photo timeline of his career.

ARNOLD PALMER photo gallery: CURRENT PHOTO | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18

Before he was King

Palmer's early years (1929 to the 1950s)

Arnold Daniel Palmer was born Sept. 10, 1929, in Latrobe, Pa., to Milfred J. (Deacon) and Doris Palmer. His father worked at Latrobe Country Club from 1921 to 1976 and, by age 4, young Palmer was swinging a golf club. He became a caddie at age 11 -- and quickly grew skilled enough to beat the older caddies -- and worked nearly every other job at the course. Palmer, who lost only one match while playing for Latrobe High School, continued to dominate in the college ranks. In 1947, he enrolled as a freshman at Wake Forest University, where he led the golf team as the No. 1 player. Tragedy struck in 1951, though, when his best friend and Wake Forest teammate, Bud Worsham, died in a car accident. Palmer was so shaken by his death that he left before graduating college and spent three years in the Coast Guard. In 1954, Palmer begins selling painting supplies for a Cleveland company to fund his amateur golf career. Things changed dramatically, however, when Palmer defeated popular veteran Robert Sweeny, 43, for the 1954 U.S. Amateur title at the Country Club of Detroit. Three months later, Palmer turned professional and signed a sponsorship contract with Wilson Sporting Goods Company. In December of that same year, he married Winnie Walzer, whom he met at an amateur tournament and proposed to within three days.

More on Palmer

Check out these stories on Arnold Palmer, who turns 80 this week PHOTO ESSAY: There may never be a golfer as photogenic as Arnold Palmer. Need proof? Check out these images of his career. Click here 80 THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT ARNIE: Is it his smile? His untucked shirt? Or that he has a tea named after him? Columnist Melanie Hauser has her top 80. Click here PLAYERS REACT: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Davis Love III, Gary Player, Ben Crenshaw and others discuss their memories of Arnie, and the impact he has made on their careers. Click here BEST MEMORIES: PGATOUR.COM's columnists share their best memories of dealing with the King. Click here FATHER AND SON: PGATOUR.COM's Brian Wacker reveals how Arnie reached out to his father, who was dying of cancer. Click here LETTER FROM ARNIE: Helen Ross shares a note from Arnie that inspired her father in his battle against prostate cancer. Click here INFLUENCE ON GOLF: He isn't just a golfer. He's an icon who transcended the game, created an Army and made golf cool to watch. Click here ARNIE'S NUMBERS: His wins, margins of victory and the rest of his stats. Click here LISTEN TO ARNIE:John Swantek from "Talk of the TOUR" on the PGA TOUR Network visits with Palmer on the occasion of his 80th birthday. Click for audio