Live Like A King

CLEAN SHAVE

To Arnold Palmer, a slap-perfect face was more than just a point of grooming: it was a statement of self-respect

The notion that a clean shave is a necessary facet of a solid character might be faded, but there’s something in the notion’s spirit that does ring true. Namely: presentation matters. Still, there are advantages to a hairless mug, including unclogged pores, healthier skin and (usually) a more youthful appearance. Whichever you choose, bare or beard or somewhere in-between, keep it sharp and take this cue from Palmer: As much as it is a matter of appearance, a clean shave is a state of mind.

Just last year at the British Open at the Old Course at St. Andrews, I was lingering with [business advisor Alastair Johnston] in the R&A clubhouse commenting on the beard David Duval was sporting and that I thought it was not becoming of an Open champion to have facial hair. Alastair wheeled his gaze around the room at the portraits of past champions like Old Tom Morris, Willie Park, and others. Of course, they had healthy facial hair. I had to laugh at the irony.

Face Off

Tommy Fleetwood’s famous beard disappeared before the 2022 Arnold Palmer Invitational because, the 31-year-old (pictured) said, “I was in a really bad mood. It was like break some golf clubs or shave my beard, then I went for the beard.”

Beard Yea Mrs. Fleetwood. “She definitely has a preference,” Tommy said. “And it’s not this one [a bare face].”

Beard Nay Viktor Hovland and Collin Morikawa. Says Fleetwood: “I was playing with [Viktor] and Collin and both of them were looking at me like, ‘We had to Google your age. I thought you were 37, 38.’ That’s a pretty harsh comment, to be fair. When I shaved it off, I think it took about 15 years off me.”

Solution? Fleetwood’s beard began to return during THE PLAYERS, and so did his game. An opening round 66 gave him a share of the lead heading into Friday, but as the scruff deepened so did his place on the leaderboard; he finished T22, leading us to think a 5’o’clock shadow might be the answer.

Arnold Palmer, A Life Well Played

OneBlade Genesis Razor A pivoting head with straight razor closeness, Feather blades from Japan’s top maker, museum-quality design and available in an array of colors—and in 24K gold. Murdock Shaving Cream Esteemed firm Murdock of London have blended Mallow, Aloe Vera and Borage to create a cream that both cushions your razor and moisturizes your face. Monsieur Musk Palmer’s favorite aftershave— there’s still a bottle on his desk at Bay Hill, right where he left it.