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Golf

It's 46 years since golf was played on the moon

Exactly 46 years ago today, American astronaut Alan Sheppard whipped out a six-iron and hit two g...



It's 46 years since golf w...
Golf

It's 46 years since golf was played on the moon

Exactly 46 years ago today, American astronaut Alan Sheppard whipped out a six-iron and hit two golf balls on the moon.

He was part of the Apollo 14 mission to the moon and smuggled aboard a makeshift club with the intention of doing "something special" on his mission.

It is reported only a handful of people knew his plan and he remains the only person ever to hit a couple of shots on the lunar surface.

A replica of the club used is housed at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC and the original is located at the US Golf Association Hall of Fame in New Jersey.

Turning to the TV at the time, Sheppard said: Houston,while you're looking that up, you might recognise what I have in my hand as the handle for the contingency sample return; it just so happens to have a genuine six iron on the bottom of it.

"In my left hand, I have a little white pellet that's familiar to millions of Americans. I'll drop it down. Unfortunately, the suit is so stiff, I can't do this with two hands, but I'm going to try a little sand-trap shot here," he said before his moment of history.

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