First Golf Shot on the Moon

February 6, 1971 - It was on this day that astronaut Alan Shepard became the first man to hit golf balls in space.

Shepard was the commander on Apollo 14, the third mission to land on the moon. His was the first crew to successfully broadcast television transmissions back to earth in color. Shepard surprised viewers by producing an improvised golf club that he created by attaching a six-iron head to a lunar scoop handle. He pulled a couple of golf balls out of his pocket and took a few one-handed swings (the bulkiness of his spacesuit prevented him from using two hands).

After a couple of slices, Shepard connected on a shot that according to him flew for "miles and miles and miles."