American singer, actor and comedian Dean Martin (1917-1995) liked to drink and he liked to golf, and is credited with the popular quote: ‘
“If you drink, don’t drive. Don’t even putt.”
The line was cited in print in 1973, when it was credited to Martin by Frank Sinatra. Martin was credited with the quote in 1975 by The Reader’s Digest.
Wikipedia: Dean Martin
Dean Paul Martin (born Dino Paul Crocetti; June 7, 1917 – December 25, 1995) was an American singer, actor, comedian, and film producer.
One of the most popular and enduring American entertainers of the mid-20th century, Martin was nicknamed the “King of Cool” for his seemingly effortless charisma and self-assurance. He and Jerry Lewis were partners in the immensely popular comedy team “Martin and Lewis”. He was a member of the “Rat Pack” and a star in concert stage/nightclubs, recordings, motion pictures, and television. He was the host of the television variety program The Dean Martin Show (1965–1974) and The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast (1974–1985).
6 August 1973, Aberdeen (SD) American News,“Earl WIlson’s New York,” pg. 4, col. 4:
Also: “Dean Martin says, ‘If you drink, don’t drive—don’t even putt.’”
(From award recipient Frank Sinatra at the All-American Collegiate Golf Foundation dinner.—ed.)
Google Books
The Reader’s Digest
Volume 109
1975
Pg. 63:
If you drink, don’t drive. Don’t even putt. — Dean Martin, quoted by Bob Talbcrt in Detroit Free Press
Google Books
1,911 Best Things Anybody Ever Said
By Robert Byrne
New York, NY: Fawcett, Columbine
1988
Pg. 54:
259
If you drink, don’t drive. Don’t even putt.
Dean Martin
Google Books
The Greatest Guide to Golf
By John Cook
Warwick (UK): Greatest Guides
2010
Pg. 27:
“If you drink, don’t drive. Don’t even putt.”
Dean Martin
Twitter
Ed Coburn
@EdCoburn2
If you drink, don’t drive. Don’t even putt.—Dean Martin
3:42 PM - 24 Dec 2015
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
Recent entries:
•“Pleae lower the cost of living. I’m not built for OnlyFans” (4/19)
•“Please lower the gas prices. I’m not built for OnlyFans” (4/19)
•“Imagine having your own apartment and nobody ever comes over” (4/19)
•Entry in progress—BP18 (4/19)
•Entry in progress—BP17 (4/19)
More new entries...
Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
This site is edited by Barry Popik. These are the Cookies and Privacy Policies.