Jack Nicklaus Quotes

A collection of quotes by Jack Nicklaus.

Jack Nicklaus, born on January 21, 1940, is a legendary American professional golfer widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, Nicklaus has left an indelible mark on golf through his exceptional skills and numerous achievements. Known as the "Golden Bear," he has won a record 18 major championships during his illustrious career, including a record six victories at the Masters Tournament.

Nicklaus turned professional in 1961 after a successful amateur career that included two U.S. Amateur titles. He quickly made his mark on the professional circuit, capturing his first major championship at the 1962 U.S. Open. Over the next two decades, Nicklaus dominated golf, racking up victories on both the PGA Tour and internationally.

In addition to his major triumphs, Jack Nicklaus amassed an impressive 73 PGA Tour victories, a record he held until it was surpassed by Tiger Woods. He was known for his powerful and accurate driving, precise shotmaking, and strategic play on the golf course. Nicklaus was also renowned for his sportsmanship and exemplary conduct, earning the respect and admiration of fellow players and fans alike.

Following his playing career, Nicklaus transitioned into golf course design, establishing a successful firm that has created numerous renowned courses around the world. He continues to be an influential figure in the sport, offering his expertise and insights to promote and enhance the game. Jack Nicklaus's impact on golf is immeasurable, cementing his status as one of the all-time greats in the history of the sport.

I've been fortunate over my career to make a little history

I've been fortunate over my career to make a little history on the 16th hole at Augusta National.

I'd rather be two strokes ahead going into the last day than

I'd rather be two strokes ahead going into the last day than two strokes behind. Having said that, it's probably easier to win coming from behind. There is no fear in chasing. There is fear in being chased.

I've wanted to design golf courses ever since I was a kid. I

I've wanted to design golf courses ever since I was a kid. I suppose it comes from the way I've played the game. To find the proper way to play any hole, I've always begun by asking myself what the architect has tried to do with it.

He's going to be around a long, long time, if his body holds

He's going to be around a long, long time, if his body holds up. That's always a concern with a lot of players because of how much they play. A lot of guys can't handle it. But it looks like he can.

He has the finest, fundamentally sound golf swing I've ever

He has the finest, fundamentally sound golf swing I've ever seen.

He had a lot of talent, but didn't have much dedication, was

He had a lot of talent, but didn't have much dedication, wasn't organized, didn't know how to learn, didn't know how to comprehend what he was doing, didn't try to learn how to get better.

Confidence is the most important single factor in this game,

Confidence is the most important single factor in this game, and no matter how great your natural talent, there is only one way to obtain and sustain it: work.

Resolve never to quit, never to give up, no matter what the

Resolve never to quit, never to give up, no matter what the situation.

My ability to concentrate and work toward that goal has been

My ability to concentrate and work toward that goal has been my greatest asset.

I never hit a shot, not even in practice, without having a v

I never hit a shot, not even in practice, without having a very sharp, in-focus picture of it in my head. First I see the ball where I want it to finish, nice and white and sitting up high on the bright green grass. Then the scene quickly changes, and I see the ball going there: its path, trajectory, and shape, even its behavior on landing. Then there is a sort of fade-out, and the next scene shows me making the kind of swing that will turn the previous images into reality.

I'm a firm believer that in the theory that people only do t

I'm a firm believer that in the theory that people only do their best at things they truly enjoy. It is difficult to excel at something you don't enjoy.

The older you get the stronger the wind gets -- and it's alw

The older you get the stronger the wind gets -- and it's always in your face.

Success depends almost entirely on how effectively you learn

Success depends almost entirely on how effectively you learn to manage the game's two ultimate adversaries: the course and yourself.

Golf is game of respect and sportsmanship we have to respect

Golf is game of respect and sportsmanship we have to respect its traditions and its rules.

Through the years of experience I have found that air offers

Through the years of experience I have found that air offers less resistance than dirt.

Pete Dye introduced me to golf course design back in the 196

Pete Dye introduced me to golf course design back in the 1960's. He came to my hometown Columbus, Ohio to work on The Golf Club.

A Nicklaus Design golf course is done by the guys in my comp

A Nicklaus Design golf course is done by the guys in my company that I work with, that have been trained in my vision, and they do what they think I might do. They might come in the office and ask me questions and I'd certainly answer their questions, but I'm not involved in the site visits or anything else.

You have to trust your kids. They have to experience life, a

You have to trust your kids. They have to experience life, and you just hope you've provided them a foundation for what's right and what isn't.

This is a game. That's all it is. It's not a war.

This is a game. That's all it is. It's not a war.

There isn't a flaw in his golf or his makeup. He will win mo

There isn't a flaw in his golf or his makeup. He will win more majors than Arnold Palmer and me combined. Somebody is going to dust my records. It might as well be Tiger, because he's such a great kid.