5 Less-Expected Things Astronauts Took To The Moon

Alan Shepard was the first American to journey into space. He was also one of the astronauts on the Moon for Apollo 14. During the second Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA), he revealed that he’d brought two golf balls and a golf club to the Moon in his utility pocket.

In Shepard’s words, “Unfortunately, the suit is so stiff, I can’t do this with two hands, but I’m going to try a little sand-trap shot here.” The first swing “got more dirt than ball.” The second swing moved the ball two or three feet. The third swing connected, sending the ball on a short arc.

Then he dropped the second ball, swung, and that one went, “miles and miles and miles.”The golf balls are still on the Moon, but he returned the six-iron to Earth. It’s usually on display at the USGA Museum near Far Hills, New Jersey. There’s also a replica at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.