EXHIBIT 5.1


                                                  April 29, 1999                
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
Securities and Exchange Commission                                             
450 Fifth Street, N.W.                                                         
Washington, D.C.  20549                                                        
                                                                               
Re:    Brunswick Corporation                                                   
       Registration Statement on Form S-8
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Ladies and Gentlemen:                                                          
                                                                               
         As Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Brunswick        
Corporation (the "Company"), I am familiar with the corporate proceedings      
taken and to be taken in connection with the registration under the            
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock,       
$.75 par value per share ("Common Stock"), of the Company available for        
issuance under the Company's 1991 Stock Plan (the "Plan"). I have examined     
such documents, records and instruments and such questions of law as I         
consider necessary for the purpose of this opinion.                            
                                                                               
         Based on the foregoing, I am of the opinion that the shares of        
Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Plan have been duly authorized       
and will, upon due issuance thereof, be validly issued, fully paid and         
non-assessable.                                                                

         I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to       
the Registration Statement being filed in connection with the                  
above-mentioned registration.                                                  
                                                                               
                                               Very truly yours,            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                               /s/ Mary D. Allen               
                                              -----------------------          
                                                   Mary D. Allen            
                                                   Vice President, General      
                                                   Counsel and Secretary