Eddie Merrins, nicknamed “The Little Pro,” was a professional golfer and instructor who taught both future pros and Hollywood stars, making a big impact on the Los Angeles golf scene in the process.
- Died: November 22, 2023 (Who else died on November 22?)
- Details of death: Died in Los Angeles at the age of 91.
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Eddie Merrins’ legacy
The Mississippi-born Merrins took up golf at the age of 11, then played in an exhibition with the great Byron Nelson at the age of 17 on his way to a 200-event career on the PGA Tour. An accomplished golfer in his own right, he competed in eight U.S. Opens and six PGA Championships, and once held the course record at the Medinah Country Club. However, Merrins was better known for his abilities as an instructor.
Merrins became the pro at Bel-Air Country Club in 1962, a position he held for four decades. From 1975 to 1989, he was also coach of the UCLA golf team. His easygoing demeanor, sharp advice, and stature – at 5-feet-7-inches, he was below the 6-foot average of PGA Tour pros – made him a well-loved instructor in the Los Angeles area. He taught such future pros as U.S. Open champion Corey Pavin, Duffy Waldorf, Steve Pate, Scott McCarron, and Brandt Jobe. He also helped improve the golf game of major stars like Sean Connery (1930–2020), Jack Nicholson, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Celine Dion, and Fred Astaire (1899–1987).
Merrins retired as the golf pro at Bel-Air in 2003 but remained a regular at area events. He also co-authored two books on golf, “Swing the Handle – Not the Clubhead” and “Playing a Round with the Little Pro: A Life in the Game.” His nickname, “The Little Pro,” was coined by golfer Jerry Pittman. Merrins liked it and the name stuck.
On getting a good golf swing:
“Swing the handle.”—common advice provided by Merrins
Tributes to Eddie Merrins
Full obituary: Golf Digest
