Walter Hagen used a limousine to challenge golf’s class system?

At the 1920 Open Championship at Royal Cinque Ports in England, professional golfers were still treated as tradesmen rather than gentlemen and were not allowed to use the clubhouse facilities. Instead, Walter Hagen and the other professionals were expected to change in a small professional shop.

Hagen refused to accept this treatment. He arrived at the championship in a chauffeur-driven limousine, parked beside the clubhouse, and used the car as his private locker room. While amateur players enjoyed the clubhouse, Hagen changed into his tailored clothing and even ate his meals inside the vehicle, served by his driver.

The gesture was more than a display of style—it was a statement. Hagen believed that a golfer’s status should be determined by ability and achievement, not social background. His confidence and refusal to accept second-class treatment helped change perceptions of professional golfers.

Over time, Hagen’s actions became symbolic of the shift from the old amateur-dominated era to the modern professional game, where elite golfers are recognized as athletes rather than club employees.