Teaching the King to Swing : Golf: Arnold Palmer got some friendly tips from Peter Jacobsen at the Shark Shootout.

How do you give a golf legend tips on improving his game?

Exactly how do you tell a man who once was considered one of the world’s best golfers that something is amiss with his swing? A golfer who is often referred to as “The King” in the sporting world?

Peter Jacobsen can offer details.

After Friday’s first round of the Shark Shootout, Jacobsen spent time on the driving range giving his partner, the legendary Arnold Palmer, a few words of advice.

The duo tied for last place in the 10-team event by shooting 73 in the first round and Jacobsen figured something had to be done.

“I know his game and I told him what I saw wrong,” said Jacobsen, who has won four PGA events and earned more than $3 million in prize money. “He’s great about it. He has a good sense of what’s up.”

So did the advice help his partner’s game a day later?

“Well, he hit the ball very well today,” Jacobsen said. “Let’s not forget he’s 65 years old and he’s out there keeping up with young guys. I’m in awe of him.”

The Jacobsen-Palmer team shot a much-improved 64 on Saturday and bogeyed only once--on the 186-yard, par-three 15th.

The team had nine birdies and is tied for seventh with Hale Irwin and Bruce Lietzke at 137 after two rounds.

Saturday’s format was best ball, which means every golfer plays through each hole using his own ball, and the lowest score is recorded as the team score for that hole.

Palmer, who celebrated his 40th anniversary as a pro golfer on Friday, was more satisfied with his second-round performance in the tournament, which concludes today.

“Peter was afraid I was screwing myself into the ground and he didn’t want to lose me,” Palmer said.

“Seriously, we talked about the things I’ve been doing that caused an adverse reaction in my golf. Some of the things I’ve been aware of for some time.”

Palmer’s performance didn’t seem to matter among the spectators at the Sherwood Country Club.

When he missed a putt on the 17th green, the crowd moaned and sighed loudly, as if it was actually painful for them.

When Palmer had a mediocre drive on the 18th, the response from the gallery was loud and boisterous, as if it was a spectacular shot.

In an elite field that incudes Greg Norman, Fred Couples and Ben Crenshaw, “The King” was clearly the crowd favorite.

Spectators called out to him as though they knew him personally.

And when Palmer was done, a large crowd hung out around the television booth where he conducted a post-match interview, waiting anxiously to attack him with paper and pen.

“Can you imagine getting Arnold Palmer’s autograph?” asked one young fan who wasn’t even born when Palmer turned pro. “Man, oh man!”