One of Larry Hinson's first instructors told him to let his golf clubs do the talking, not his mouth.

Even now, the 64-year-old Hinson, one of four new members who will go into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame tonight, doesn't like "tooting his horn," he said.

"I look at a lot of the golfers who were pros and they seemed to have achieved a lot more than I did," said Hinson, who will attend tonight's induction ceremony at Augusta Marriott Hotel & Suites.

"I would have loved to have better credentials, but I can't do anything about that," the Douglas, Ga., native and resident said.

Despite his protestations, Hinson accomplished much during his amateur and pro careers. Especially considering his left arm was slightly withered from a childhood bout with polio.

Hinson was an All-American at East Tennessee State, where he was the medalist in the 1967 NCAA College Division (II) Championship.

He played on the PGA Tour for nine years (with one win) and played in the Masters Tournament from 1970-72.

In fact, based on a short-lived ranking system used by the PGA Tour in 1970, Hinson was the second-best golfer on the world's top tour.

"That year, they went to a point system because they tried to get away from ranking the players on money," Hinson said.

Although Hinson finished eighth on the money list, he was second in the "point standings," behind Lee Trevino.

When Hinson joined the tour, there were qualifying schools in the fall and spring. He was among the 15-player spring Class of 1968 that made it through the school. Among that group was Hale Irwin.

"It just meant that you could try to qualify to get in the tournaments," said Hinson, who successfully made it into the New Orleans tournament on his first try.

In 1969, Hinson won the New Orleans tournament. That earned him his first start in the Masters in 1970.

Hinson calls the Masters a "glorious" tournament, but it was the members he met there that he remembers the most.

"I got to meet some of the nicest businessmen in the world at Augusta," said Hinson, who became lifelong friends with one member. "Some of them had the biggest hearts. When they were in Augusta, they just filled the city with their heart."

Hinson's best finish at Augusta National Golf Club was in 1971, when he tied for 30th place. In his debut, however, Hinson played well for three rounds (72-72-71) and was in the mix. He entered the final round seven shots off the lead, but his hopes were dashed on the par-3 fourth hole, where he made a triple bogey 6.

His tee shot finished just to the right of the green, close enough for him to putt his second shot. He left it 4 feet above and to the right side of the hole. His downhill third putt went 8 feet past the hole. He lipped out the next one, which rolled 10 feet back to him, and ended up five-putting.

"You could have stuck me with a fork; I was done," said Hinson, who shot 79 and tied for 31st place. "When you make a 6 on a par 3, it's not a sweet feeling, especially when you five-putt that rascal."

The main regret Hinson has about his Masters experience has nothing to do with his play. It's about two Masters series badges.

Hinson said he was given complimentary badges for his family the first year he qualified, and he had the option of buying two badges at full price.

"They gave us some, and I said I don't need two more," said Hinson, who turned down the offer.

"It would be nice to have those two tickets," Hinson said. "But if you refuse them, you can kiss them goodbye."

Hinson's PGA Tour career ended in 1976, though he did play a few events in 1977, he said.

"My putter basically left and that was the real kicker," Hinson said. "For someone who had a lot of pride and a positive attitude but wasn't completely centered in the Lord God, it can take a little while to get knocked flat on your back. I got knocked on my back."

These days, Hinson is the pro at Hinson Hills, an 18-hole executive course he designed in Douglas.

It started as a par-3 course when it opened in 1992, but now five of the holes have been changed to par-4s from the back tees because of their difficulty. The course measures 3,074 yards and plays to a par of 59 from the back tees.

Among those who complained about the toughness of some of the original par-3 holes was Hinson's wife.

"She came in and had made a 9 on one of the par-3s," Hinson said. "I asked her, 'What do you think the par should be?' And she said '6.' "

"Who cares what par is?" Hinson said. "Golf should be enjoyable. You shouldn't have to kill yourself to score and play better."