From Vietnam to the Fairway

Larry Gene Nelson was born in 1947 and didn’t touch a golf club until he was 21 years old. After serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, he returned home in 1969 and, with a borrowed set of clubs, played his first round—shooting 94. Within just nine months, he broke 70. For any beginner, that’s extraordinary; for a future major champion who started as an adult, it’s the spark that lit an unlikely rise.

A Late Start, a Fast Climb

Nelson’s progress wasn’t about an early start; it was about discipline, fundamentals, and relentless practice. He studied, drilled, and logged hours on the range. By 1971—roughly two years after his first swing—he turned professional. His ascent continued steadily, culminating in a first PGA Tour victory in 1979 and a career tally that would include 10 PGA Tour wins and three majors.

The Major Champion

• 1981 PGA Championship: Outdueled Tom Watson to claim his first major title.
• 1983 U.S. Open (Oakmont): Fired a final-round 66 to win by one—one of the great finishing rounds in championship history.
• 1987 PGA Championship: Captured his third major, securing his legacy among the game’s greats.

What Nelson Teaches Every Amateur Golfer

• It’s never too late to start. Beginning in your 20s—or later—can still lead to meaningful achievement.
• Progress is about passion, not age. Breaking 100, then 90, then 80 comes from focused practice and consistency.
• Tournament readiness can come sooner than you think. Nelson reached competitive form in under two years. Most amateurs won’t move that fast, but local and regional events welcome all ages and skill levels—steady play and confidence-building are the keys.

The AmateurGolf.com Perspective

We field questions every day about the “right” age to start and the “ideal” timeline to compete. Larry Nelson’s path is our favorite answer: there is no perfect age, only your commitment and joy in the game. While not everyone will win a major, everyone can chase personal bests, find a competitive home, and write a golf story worth telling.

The best time to start is now. Your tournament clock begins the day you decide to practice with purpose