Kingdom: You’ve always been considered a stylish athlete. When you were deciding what to wear on tournament day, were you concerned with style? Or were you more concerned with function?
Arnold Palmer: Both. I tried to be reasonably conservative in my dress and my style and practical as far as the playing ability was concerned. I never wanted my clothing to take away from my business as far as golfing was concerned.

K: Did it ever surprise you that you were considered so stylish?
AP: I never particularly worked at being stylish. I was just trying to be reasonably conservative and practical.

K: I’ve seen thousands of pictures of you, but I’ve never seen a single one of you wearing blue jeans. Do you even own a pair?
AP: I’ve certainly never worn a pair to play golf. I own numerous pairs, but I’d only wear them to ride a horse.

K: You have a new apparel line—Arnie—launching in the spring, could you tell us a bit about the collection and what your future plans are?
AP: The collection will be sporting clothing, a line for golf, of course, but a line for all activities. Sports shirts. Some of my ideas of design going back to the years when alpaca sweaters were in vogue. We liked them and wanted to bring those back. Sweaters, shorts, slacks and all the things that are in line today for people who want to look good regardless of their activity.

K: You defined athletic style for much of your career (as GQ magazine has celebrated). As much as you are associated with the “Rat Pack” era in terms of cultural influence and defining “cool,” did you ever have any contact with the Rat Pack entertainers (Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., etc.)?
AP: I knew them well, but I didn’t spend a great deal of time with them. I played golf with Dean Martin a few times and with the others in pro-ams they were sponsoring. I enjoyed my time with them.

K: Did you ever see any of them—e.g., Sinatra or Jerry Lewis & Dean Martin—perform live? Are you a fan of any of them? What are your favorites?
AP: I didn’t spend a lot of time with Jerry Lewis. I knew him to say hello. But I watched them perform many times. I thought Dean Martin was very good. He was a very outgoing and engaging person. He was a good guy, a very engaging entertainer.

K: Did you ever see and did you like the movie The Caddy with Lewis & Martin?
AP: Yes. I had a little problem with some of the golf scenes, some of the irregular stuff that wasn’t a part of golf. But overall it was pretty good.

K: You’re quoted on the cover of Charlie Sifford’s book, Just Let Me Play, and you’re pictured with him at his 2009 World Golf Hall Of Fame induction. How well did you know Charlie on Tour, and what specific struggles do you think he faced as a professional golfer?
AP: Charlie was a good guy, a friend of mine and a fine golfer. It took a lot of courage and grace for him to overcome the racism of the time. I was proud he was my friend and enjoyed golfing with him. In fact, in the first tournament I won, the 1955 Canadian Open, Charlie Sifford was a major factor in the tournament and led after the first round.

K: There is no question the FedExCup gives the PGA Tour a real lift towards the end of the season with every putt holed or missed determining whether a player makes it through to the Tour Championship, and automatic qualification for the next year’s majors. Do you enjoy it and, if so, why?
AP: I suppose you could say I’m a fan of it. I watch it. It has certainly served a purpose of adding a little zest to the end of the season. This year was a very exciting conclusion with Bill Haas and the way he played and the way he won. I think he did a wonderful job. He played very well. He scrambled well and hit the ball well. He was an Arnold Palmer scholar at Wake Forest so I’m happy to give him credit for the way he played.

K: Tiger has had an injury-plagued season but is playing again. Is that a relief?
AP: I hope Tiger is getting back on the track and I wish him luck. I hope he has a good comeback. He’s a great player and it would be disappointing if he doesn’t come back pretty strong.

K: You have long had a strong association with the Bob Hope out in the desert, so you must be pleased to see them attract such a strong sponsor in Humana. Will you be watching your grandson Sam play again there in January?
AP: I don’t know at this point. I’ll certainly make some effort to help him get in. I plan on being there one way or the other and look forward to seeing some of the changes Humana is bringing to the tournament and their healthy lifestyle initiatives in conjunction with the Tour. Plus, the format change for the tournament should be well-received by the pros.

K: On the subject of great tournaments, how are preparations going for the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, and are significant changes envisaged?
AP: I think the golf course is going to be better than it’s ever been. And I’m pretty sure Sam will get an invitation to play there.

K: How long before your other grandson, Will Wears, earns an invitation?
AP: It’ll be a few years before Will is in that position. He’s a junior here at Latrobe High School and he’s playing very well. This year and next year are going to be key for his golf development. As far as hitting the golf ball, he can do everything you need to do. He’s very long and he can play. It’s a question of maturity and putting it all together.

K: How would you assess the overall performance of Tim Finchem since he became commissioner of the PGA Tour 17 years ago?
AP: Since I had something to do with Tim and his tenure as commissioner, I’m very pleased with what he’s done. He’s really accomplished a lot for the PGA Tour and I expect he will continue to do more for a long while.

K: With such iconic figures as Greg Norman and Fred Couples captaining the sides, do you think the Presidents Cup is now rivalling the Ryder Cup as golf’s biggest team event?
AP: I suppose it was meant to rival the Ryder Cup. The Ryder Cup is such a patriotic thing that gets rave reviews. The Presidents Cup is much the same in that it brings in people from all over the world. Both are great competitions and I’m sure they’ll continue to thrive well into the future.

K: Do you know Sir Terry Matthews and what do you think of Celtic Manor, scene of the 2010 Ryder Cup, as a golf resort?
AP: It’s fine. Terry’s a great guy. What he’s done for golf is wonderful.

K: The instructional for this issue features golf pro Randy Hernly at your APDC course at Stonewall Resort in West Virginia. The course in 10 years has earned a considerable number of rave reviews. What are your recollections of it?
AP: I’m very pleased with how things have turned out at Stonewall. It was such a magnificent piece of wilderness and we’re proud of that fine course. They’ve done a great job of promoting it with a fine hotel and the golf course and all they have to offer. All my friends who know it tell me they really love Stonewall. They enjoy going there to play and say it’s the perfect venue for golf. Very picturesque! I wish Randy and all the people down there all the best of luck.

K: The cover of artist Scott Medlock’s book features a painting of you and Jack Nicklaus walking the 10th fairway of the Riviera Country Club. While all of your LA Open victories came at Rancho Park, you played at Riviera in the 1998 U.S. Seniors Open. When is the first time you played there, and what are your memories and thoughts of it?
AP: I like Riviera. I think it’s one of the great courses in the country. I’m only sorry I didn’t have the opportunity to play there more in my competitive days. I scored pretty well there, but when I got there I was a little older and my really competitive days weren’t as strong as they’d once been.

K: What golf touches will be apparent at the new SpringHill Suites by Marriott just up the road here on Arnold Palmer Drive?
AP: It will be a very sporty look and we’ll use my associations with the Presidents of the United States and things I hope people will enjoy. It’s coming along very well and we’ll have it open in the spring and in full operation by the summer. Different golf courses will be used for each floor designation. Rather than be on the fourth floor, you’ll be on the Oakmont Floor or the Augusta Floor.

K: How do you plan on spreading the word to entice golfers to come to Latrobe to visit the hotel?
AP: Our Doc Giffin will be an emissary to let the media know there’s a new popular place for golfers and people who travel. Part of the deal is letting people know when they check in that they can use Latrobe Country Club as a place to have dinner, golf, tennis or swim. It’ll be a limited membership for guests so that should work pretty well.

K: Have you ever thought of purchasing a professional sports franchise?
AP: There was a time in my life when that was proposed to me, involving the NFL many years ago. That was the major proposal, but it didn’t go very far. I didn’t have time to really devote to something like that. At the time I was busy playing golf and promoting my businesses. As for the town and the team, I’d rather not say.

K: Does Arnold Palmer have a bucket list?
AP: I’ve done a lot of the things I’ve wanted to do. Flying was a big part of that. I don’t fly myself any more, but I’m still very active with flying and work with aviation organizations as part of the American way of life. There are a couple of places I’ve thought about visiting with Kit, my wife. One is Alaska. I’d like to spend some time with her there. Having played golf my whole life, I’ve been to most of the nice warm places on earth at one time or another. I haven’t been to the French Riviera and that’s a place I’d like to visit. But I’ve traveled so much that I really enjoy just being home in Latrobe and home in Orlando at Bay Hill. I really am looking forward to spending whatever time I have left in those two places.

K: Four members of Kingdom magazine’s staff are riding bicycles 100 miles this November to showcase cycling as a good exercise for golfers and to raise money for the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. They’ve named their team “Team Mulligan,” after your dog (and the fact they probably all need a second chance). Do you think cycling is a good exercise for golfers?
AP: Oh, I do. And I think that’s great what they’re doing. And I know the people at the hospital really appreciate it and will be rooting them on. If I were a little younger, I might join them.

K: What advice do you have for the team for the morning of the event, when they wake up and have pre-race jitters?
AP: Like golf, pre-race jitters is all part of the program. It’s part of the mystique and energy you need to do anything worthwhile and do it well. Nothing wrong with a few nerves before climbing on board the bikes.

K: With such an inspiring mascot, what chances do you give Team Mulligan of finishing the ride?
AP: Oh, I’m confident they will. I think they’ll do very well. I’m encouraging them.

K: Do you visit Las Vegas often? If so, do you play any of the tables? What is your favourite card game?
AP: I used to play the Tournament of Champions there and had some success there with a couple victories. I enjoyed Vegas. It was always fun. I wasn’t always successful there, but I enjoyed playing some of the games—including golf! I enjoyed shooting a little craps once in a while, and I enjoy blackjack.

K: Do you have any plans to visit St. Andrews over the next couple of years, to coincide with the 600th anniversary of the university?
AP: We’re almost the same age! I may go. I was pleased to receive my degree from St. Andrews University there. That was a great thrill. I’m very partial to St. Andrews. The R&A and the courses there have helped St. Andrews become one of the great places in golf.

K: You have played golf in Scotland many times. Have you ever been on a tour of a distillery?
AP: I have not and I really should get around to doing that. I think that would be great fun for me.

K: You may have golfed more than any man alive. Most people are delighted to have you play their courses, but can you remember the last time you had to pay for a round?
AP: I’ve never really paid for playing golf anywhere except one time I went to golf with some friends at Bandon Dunes. I can’t forget the guy there saying, “That will be $100, Mr. Palmer.” I guess that’s become sort of a slogan there. But I paid $100! I won’t again! The course was very interesting and very tough.

K: What projects do you have on the go at APDC at present? Anything in either the Far East or South America?
AP: We just renovated Wexford Plantation in Hilton Head through our Refresh Program that is generating a lot of interest. Overseas we are working on a number of exciting projects. There is certainly a tremendous energy coming from South America currently.

K: Have your opinions about the belly putters softened?
AP: No! They’re becoming very successful, but I’m one of those hard-line conservatives who believe that it is not a part of the game of golf. I will stick with that regardless of what anyone says. I do not believe anyone should be able to touch their body in the process of making a golf swing. I don’t think the belly putter has a place in the game of golf.