She won the 1949 national individual intercollegiate golf championship while attending the University of Kansas.

Smith turned pro in 1949 and joined the Spalding staff.

She was selected for membership of the World Golf Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Achievement category in June 2006 and was inducted in October 2006.

[4] While playing at a tournament in Florida, Smith escaped uninjured when a sniper fired several shots at her and Margie Masters.

[6] She died on April 9, 2019,[2] four days before her 90th birthday, from complications of an infection due to a fall during the week of The Founders Cup in Phoenix.