Mike Klemme interview

Golf photographer & Founder, Golf As Life – Connecting golf and life through beautiful photographic wall artwork.

The Klemme Bio

A self-taught photographic artist and one of the most widely published photographers in his field, with work featured in leading sports, travel and in-flight magazines.

Over his career has photographed more than 1,800 golf courses across nearly 50 countries, collaborating with the likes of Arnold Palmer Design, Nike, and Four Seasons Resorts.

Klemme’s work is showcased in acclaimed books such as Grand Slam Golf, Golf Resorts of the World, and in his own publication, A View from the Rough. Klemme also served on Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Golf Courses in the World panel for 30 years. His artistry and global experience continue to define his legacy as a pioneer in golf photography.

Mike Klemme

The Klemme Story

Fresh out of college, I returned to my hometown of Enid, Oklahoma, ready to start my career. I had taken a job selling advertising at the local newspaper but knew I needed a creative outlet. A few of my friends were avid photographers, and after tagging along with them on trips to a nearby wildlife refuge, I decided to dive in myself.

Soon after, I bought a camera and some lenses and began what would become a lifelong journey. For the next five years, I dedicated myself to honing my craft. I studied the works of photography legends like Ansel Adams and Edward Weston, immersing myself in the art of capturing landscapes. I was convinced that my path was set; I was going to become a great landscape photographer. Little did I know at that time that those landscapes would include pin flags. Then, one day, the phone rang.

On the other end was Steve Braley, an old friend from my days at Oklahoma State University. Steve was the general manager of Oak Tree Country Club, which had just opened a newly completed clubhouse and the first of two Pete Dye-designed golf courses. He asked if I’d be interested in photographing the course to help promote real estate sales.

Intrigued, I accepted the opportunity. The photos I took exceeded their expectations. The images were used in calendars, brochures, and even as décor for the clubhouse itself. It was a lightbulb moment—I realized there was an untapped market for this kind of work. At the time, there was only one other person globally specializing in golf course photography: a man who would later become a good friend, Brian Morgan from Scotland.

The group behind Oak Tree Country Club went on to develop other iconic properties, including Oak Tree Golf Club, La Quinta, PGA West, Carmel Valley Ranch, and The Palm Beach Polo Club, and Kiawah Island. I had the privilege of photographing all of them and even working directly with Pete Dye on a few projects.

This wasn’t without challenges; running a business always has its hurdles. But that single phone call from a friend set everything in motion. For that, I’ll always be grateful to Steve Braley—it was a moment that changed my life forever.

The Concession, Bradenton , Florida
The Concession, FL (Credit: Mike Klemme)

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What inspired you to become involved with photography in general?

During my final year at Oklahoma State, a good friend gave me a hardbound book featuring the work of Ansel Adams. Like many photographers of my generation, I was captivated by his mastery of light and feel for nature. His images awakened a desire to retrace my own travels across the western U.S. to see the landscapes through his eyes.

Thankfully, I’ve been able to fulfill that vision in my work.

What makes golf photography so compelling for you?

I played a lot of golf but was never much of a player, because I couldn’t afford lessons and self-coaching can only take you so far, at least that was the case for me.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know some of the world’s greatest golf architects, and it’s incredibly rewarding when they praise how I capture their work.

My focus is to portray not just the design elements of a course but also the perspective of the golfer, creating images that feel both authentic and timeless. I believe the most memorable shots are those without people or aerial views, allowing the course’s beauty to take center stage.

Ballybunion #16 Cashen by Mike Klemme
Ballybunion, Ireland Credit: Mike Klemme)

The most memorable photo you took in golf was what?

I usually scout courses meticulously, noting which holes to photograph and when. But at Wade Hampton Golf Club in Cashiers, North Carolina, I arrived too late to scout and went out early the next morning without my normal preparation.

Just a few steps from my room, in the soft light of dawn, I stumbled upon a breathtaking scene that I captured instantly. It was a moment of pure serendipity and remains the pinnacle of my photographic career—so far!

How has modern technology helped your efforts today when taking photos versus when you first started?

Technology has made everything so much easier. I think back to traveling for weeks to places like Japan or Indonesia, shooting hundreds of rolls of film, carefully bringing it home, and anxiously waiting for it to be developed—hoping the results matched my vision.

Now, I can instantly review and share images, which is a game-changer.

For years, my work was filtered through art directors who often didn’t understand golf or its audience. Today, I have the freedom to directly control how my images connect with clients and their customers, which is incredibly rewarding.

What was the genesis for the Golf as Life initiative you’re involved with now?

About 15 years ago, I got a call from Joe Beditz of the National Golf Foundation while I was at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. He asked me to meet his friend Chuck Stickelmaier, who represented a printing company specializing in SEG graphics. That meeting sparked a 15-year collaboration and friendship with Chuck.

I dreamed up Golf as Life to thank Joe for the introduction and to support the NGF. With the backing of current NGF CEO Greg Nathan and his team, we’re thrilled to see this vision come to life.

Among the golf luminaries you’ve photographed – who was the most fun to work with and who was the most challenging?

I focus primarily on golf landscapes, but I’ve had the privilege of photographing legends like Jackie Burke, Ben Crenshaw, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Herb Kohler.

By far, the most memorable was Mr. Kohler. While on assignment at Whistling Straits, his staff’s nervousness before his arrival made me apprehensive. When he finally arrived, he greeted me with a big smile and a firm handshake, immediately breaking the tension. Without missing a beat, he hopped onto a large ceramic sheep like a cowboy and asked, “How about this?”

It was hilarious, and the shoot went perfectly from there. I can only imagine the lively conversations he must’ve had with Pete Dye, one of my favorite characters in the game, during their early design meetings! I’m sure they are having a ball up there in golf heaven together.

The Battlefield at Shangri La Resort, Oklahoma by Mike Klemme
The Battlefield at Shangri La Resort, OK (Credit: Mike Klemme)

Is there a bucket list golf course / club you have not visited that you want to see and photograph?

I have always wanted to see Crystal Downs, an Alistair McKenzie and Perry Maxwell design, in Frankfort, Mich.

I was a rater for Golf Magazine from 1990 to 2020 and was able to see the majority of America’s top 100 courses, but there are a few gems I missed, and Crystal Downs is at the top of the list. Hopefully, I will get a chance to see it someday.

Given your involvement in golf – how much do you actually play?

To be honest, I hardly ever play. I had back surgery thirty years ago which was one of the most painful things in my life. I do not want to go through that again.

However, I do believe golf is the world’s greatest sport, and I love getting to see courses, their design, maintenance and the different feel each one has.

More than that, I love the people in the golf industry. Some of the kindest, most respectful people on earth.

Tinhouse Golf Club Wilson, Arkansas
Tinhouse Golf Club Wilson, AR (Credit: Mike Klemme)

If you could change one thing in golf unilaterally — what would it be and why?

I’d focus on making golf more accessible for shorter, quicker rounds. While there are many initiatives to address pace of play, I’m eager to see a widely adopted way for people to enjoy a quick round before or after work.

I’m encouraged by the rise of short courses across the country and hope that trend continues—it might even inspire me to start playing again!

Best advice you ever received in terms of your career development and the best advice you can share for those who are aspiring to follow in the field?

Early in my career, I photographed courses like Oak Tree, Southern Hills, and Prairie Dunes, and then I attended a week-long seminar led by Dick Durrance, a National Geographic photographer with a successful commercial advertising business.

On the last night, Dick invited me to help him edit film from a major shoot he had completed for a cigarette company, and we stayed up all night discussing photography. As I left, he told me to quit my bank job and become a golf course photographer. I took his advice, left my job the next week, and pursued my dream. The best part? Twenty years later, Dick himself started photographing golf courses!

The Prince Golf Club, Kauai, Hawaii by Mike Klemme
The Prince Golf Club, Kauai, Hawaii (Credit: Mike Klemme)

What is your favorite Golf Course?

Soon after I started my business, Jimmy Wright, a good friend and PGA pro from my hometown, helped set me up to photograph Pebble Beach, The Olympic Club, and drum roll — Cypress Point.

If I thought I was hooked on photographing golf courses in the central U.S., I was hopelessly in love with this new lifestyle after my trip west.

It has been 40 years since I photographed Cypress, but I can remember every step, every look, every hole. Without a doubt, it is the greatest course these eyes have ever witnessed.

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For more info go to:

Klemme Art

and

Golf As Life

Updated: January 26, 2025