Eddie Merrins, Legendary ‘Little Pro’ and Influential Golf Figure in L.A., Passes Away at 91

When Eddie Merrins, affectionately known as The Little Pro due to his 5-foot-7 stature, passed away at the age of 91 in Los Angeles, the golf world lost an impactful figure. Merrins, a long-time pro at Bel-Air Country Club, made an indelible mark on the sport, influencing everyone from U.S. Open champion Corey Pavin to renowned entertainers like Fred Astaire and Mikhail Baryshnikov.

Merrins, who battled a long illness, passed away on Wednesday in Los Angeles according to UCLA, where he coached golf for 14 years. In his own words, “The game of golf is a very selfish game in the sense that you’re the only one who gets any real enjoyment out of what you do. But in teaching, you get the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve helped somebody.”

While Merrins had 82 appearances on the PGA Tour and qualified for major tournaments, his true passion was teaching. His 1973 instructional book titled “Swing the handle, not the clubhead” exemplified his commitment to simplifying the complexities of the game.

Aside from his teaching career, Merrins also made significant contributions to collegiate golf and junior golf development with initiatives like Friends of Collegiate Golf, later known as Friends of Golf, which has raised over $10 million for junior golfers across the country. His dedication to the sport extended to his personal life as well.

Eddie Merrins’ impact on the game of golf and the lives he touched through his teaching will live on, solidifying his legacy as the influential and compassionate “Little Pro”.