The key to great investing lies here: Tiger Woods, Ben Hogan and a crowbar. Can you identify the key? Is it obvious? Or do you think it is nuts to tie these three to great investing? In deference to those that think it is nuts, let’s toss a nutcracker into the mix. The secret to great investing lies here: Woods, Hogan, a crowbar and a nutcracker.

Tiger Woods, the greatest golfer in the world, will make about $80m this year. In 1950, the then-greatest golfer in the world, Ben Hogan, made slightly more than $20,000. You cannot attribute the staggering difference in annual income to inflation. Adjusting Hogan’s income for historical inflation would lift his income level to about $200,000.