Jack at PNC. GOAT putter

[dlygrisse]

Just watched a few minutes of the father/son event. Jack is almost 79 years old and he was the hottest putter on the course today. I’m sure at his age that was a bit of inspired magic but it just reminded me how great he was, especially on the greens.

 

He made a clutch putt on 18, which he seemed to do all the time his entire career.

He drained several bombs after his grandson gave him a good line.

Me made a putt from off the green which he was a master at his entire career.

 

Jack at 79 would be a better than average putter on the PGA tour today, in fact if he’s better than most still and he putts with a small blade and a pretty conventional style.

 

Long live Jack!

[bscinstnct]

People generally talk Jacks driving/ballstriking.

 

But, yeah, guy was ice with the putter. That must have been that much more demoralizing to the field.

 

Like Tom Weiskopf said,

 

"Jack knew he was going to beat you. You knew Jack was going to beat you. And Jack knew that you knew that he was going to beat you."

 

 

 

 

[PowderedToastMan]

Yesterday I was thinking to myself “Today, I could beat Jack head to head” and then I started to doubt myself. Considering he’s 79 and I’m approximately 50 years younger, much longer, and a plus handicap, that’s saying something. He’s got a competitive edge that can still propel him as a nearly octogenarian. That’s insane.

 

I’m someone who strongly believes nobody has played golf better than Tiger Woods, but I believe Jack was the best putter. I can’t even imagine how many events Jack would win in today’s game, driving it long and straight, hitting high straight irons, and making putts from everywhere (or lagging long ones to tap in distance, which he was legendary at). His game was arguably better designed for today’s era than his. Imagine Dustin Johnson with a legendary putting stroke and a genius level golf IQ.

[dlygrisse]

Yesterday I was thinking to myself “Today, I could beat Jack head to head” and then I started to doubt myself. Considering he’s 79 and I’m approximately 50 years younger, much longer, and a plus handicap, that’s saying something. He’s got a competitive edge that can still propel him as a nearly octogenarian. That’s insane.

 

I’m someone who strongly believes nobody has played golf better than Tiger Woods, but I believe Jack was the best putter. I can’t even imagine how many events Jack would win in today’s game, driving it long and straight, hitting high straight irons, and making putts from everywhere (or lagging long ones to tap in distance, which he was legendary at). His game was arguably better designed for today’s era than his. Imagine Dustin Johnson with a legendary putting stroke and a genius level golf IQ.

 

I don’t want another Jack vs. Tiger thread, let’s just say they bothe had genius level golf IQ and they were the two greatest clutch putters ever.

 

Everyone else is trying for 3rd.

[dlygrisse]

The thing is Jack is such a competitor. This is probably his only event of the year. Hell, ya never know it could be his last event ever. You could just see the mental focus kick in, he knew the ball was going in the hole on 18. Today was one more final reminder of what he could do.

 

He can’t really hit it very well any longer, he did hit some nice irons, but for just a few hours we saw what made him a 18 time major champion.

[PowderedToastMan]

Yesterday I was thinking to myself “Today, I could beat Jack head to head” and then I started to doubt myself. Considering he’s 79 and I’m approximately 50 years younger, much longer, and a plus handicap, that’s saying something. He’s got a competitive edge that can still propel him as a nearly octogenarian. That’s insane.

 

I’m someone who strongly believes nobody has played golf better than Tiger Woods, but I believe Jack was the best putter. I can’t even imagine how many events Jack would win in today’s game, driving it long and straight, hitting high straight irons, and making putts from everywhere (or lagging long ones to tap in distance, which he was legendary at). His game was arguably better designed for today’s era than his. Imagine Dustin Johnson with a legendary putting stroke and a genius level golf IQ.

 

I don’t want another Jack vs. Tiger thread, let’s just say they bothe had genius level golf IQ and they were the two greatest clutch putters ever.

 

Everyone else is trying for 3rd.

I was worried my post would turn into that. Ultimately I just wish we could have seen Jack somehow transplanted into today’s game. It would have been a marvel to watch, not unlike watching footage of him from his two and a half decades of dominance.

 

I’ve always been confused how Jack’s putting stroke didn’t cause more of a change in putting dynamics of future generations. It makes so much sense in terms of seeing the line and consistency, not to mention taking the wrists out of the stroke. I know Johnny Miller copied it for a time and putted phenomenally.

[PowderedToastMan]

Fun Jack story: I played in a US Open qualifier around 5 years ago at a Jack Nicklaus design course in Montana. During the ceremonial opening, around a decade or two earlier, Jack shot something in the mid 60’s, around 60 years old, with a persimmon driver from the tips, and conversing with fans the entire round. The score he shot that day was better than the medalist from the Open qualifying I played in, who went on to play in the US Open using modern equipment, and was half the age of Jack when he shot that round during the opening. The tips were like 7,600 yards too.

 

The man has too many legendary stories to count.

[nova6868]

I agree about Jack's putting stroke. Every time I watch him putt I always wonder why more people don't putt in a similar way.

[GolfChannel]

I agree about Jack's putting stroke. Every time I watch him putt I always wonder why more people don't putt in a similar way.

 

Not sure, it’s how I was taught, but always great with feel and speed control.

[15th Club]

There is probably no bigger fan of Jack Nicklaus than me on this forum. And, I have seen both Nicklaus and Tiger, up close, in their respective primes.

 

Jack was a great clutch putter. The best of his generation. I think it was Herb Wind who said of Nicklaus that his demeanor was the same when he was in contention in a major championship, as when he was shooting baskets in his driveway. I suppose that says as much about the way that Jack shoots hoops in his driveway as it does about his mentality in majors.

 

I was never quite sure about how great Jack was as s putter, but the more pressure, the better Jack was. And we can say that about very few players.

 

Now; about Tiger. I think he is the best speed putter I have ever seen; the best in modern history and perhaps the best ever (on modern hyper speed greens). I really think Tiger is the more skilled putter between him and Jack.

 

[golfandfishing]

Fun Jack story: I played in a US Open qualifier around 5 years ago at a Jack Nicklaus design course in Montana. During the ceremonial opening, around a decade or two earlier, Jack shot something in the mid 60’s, around 60 years old, with a persimmon driver from the tips, and conversing with fans the entire round. The score he shot that day was better than the medalist from the Open qualifying I played in, who went on to play in the US Open using modern equipment, and was half the age of Jack when he shot that round during the opening. The tips were like 7,600 yards too.

 

The man has too many legendary stories to count.

 

In the year 2000 why would Nicklaus be playing a persimmon driver? He was using metal drivers in the 90’s.

 

Edit to add: https://www.golf.com/photos/evolution-driver-jacks-weapons

[Santiago Golf]

I agree about Jack's putting stroke. Every time I watch him putt I always wonder why more people don't putt in a similar way.

 

Not sure, it’s how I was taught, but always great with feel and speed control.

 

His and Bobby Jones. Two of the greatest putters of all of time

[IVM]

Jack Nicklaus the greatest of all time period . Nothing more to say. On top of that as nice a guy as you would wish to meet .

[gatorpedsMD]

after watching this and having a horrible day putting on the course i have to buy his book "putting my way" lol.

[gatorpedsMD]

and little john has one hell of a swing/game.

[tiderider]

I agree about Jack's putting stroke. Every time I watch him putt I always wonder why more people don't putt in a similar way.

 

the way where you make a lot of clutch putts and never miss when it's important? ... yeah, i wonder why they putt that way myself! ...

[iBanesto]

Greatest putter of all time.

 

http://youtu.be/_0n9L8v9vOw

[straightshot7]

It's interesting that no one today really tried to emulate his putting style/stance.

 

I was thinking about it today and in a way he kind of creates an anchor for the putter by pushing all of his body parts together so nothing moves accepts his hands, arms and shoulders.

 

And he breaks his wrist more and therefore has less arm/shoulder movement. I think there is something to this stroke physiologically.

 

I've tried a stroke where I only use my wrists and it can be deadly accurate because nothing else moves so the face always returns square. The problem is distance control. Jack combines a wrist stroke with a small arm/shoulder stroke for possibly the perfect balance of the two.

[mosesgolf]

A 79 year and a 15 year was in contention the whole weekend vs much stiffer competition. That's Jack for you. Remember the 1998 Masters? T6 at the age of 58. If the weather stayed bad he might have won.

[mosesgolf]

It's interesting that no one today really tried to emulate his putting style/stance.

 

I was thinking about it today and in a way he kind of creates an anchor for the putter by pushing all of his body parts together so nothing moves accepts his hands, arms and shoulders.

 

And he breaks his wrist more and therefore has less arm/shoulder movement. I think there is something to this stroke physiologically.

 

I've tried a stroke where I only use my wrists and it can be deadly accurate because nothing else moves so the face always returns square. The problem is distance control. Jack combines a wrist stroke with a small arm/shoulder stroke for possibly the perfect balance of the two.

 

Jack willed many of his putts into the hole. It wasn't always just technique. :D

[dpb5031]

A 79 year and a 15 year was in contention the whole weekend vs much stiffer competition. That's Jack for you. Remember the 1998 Masters? T6 at the age of 58. If the weather stayed bad he might have won.

 

I dont think too many people remember, but I sure do. It was incredible...he was just months from having his hip replaced and was legitimately in contention. He also left at least 2 putts on the lip that day that just as easily could have dropped.

 

The man's self-belief and competitiveness over years & years has only been rivaled by Tiger Woods, and TW will have to keep it going well into his 50s to rival Jack in that department.

[gatorpedsMD]

dru love got some game.

 

nick price son hair lmao!

[BMC]

It's interesting that no one today really tried to emulate his putting style/stance.

 

I was thinking about it today and in a way he kind of creates an anchor for the putter by pushing all of his body parts together so nothing moves accepts his hands, arms and shoulders.

 

And he breaks his wrist more and therefore has less arm/shoulder movement. I think there is something to this stroke physiologically.

 

I've tried a stroke where I only use my wrists and it can be deadly accurate because nothing else moves so the face always returns square. The problem is distance control. Jack combines a wrist stroke with a small arm/shoulder stroke for possibly the perfect balance of the two.

 

Good analysis. I believe not using at least a little wrist break while putting is very unnatural. We're not robots.

[carrera]

Fun Jack story: I played in a US Open qualifier around 5 years ago at a Jack Nicklaus design course in Montana. During the ceremonial opening, around a decade or two earlier, Jack shot something in the mid 60's, around 60 years old, with a persimmon driver from the tips, and conversing with fans the entire round. The score he shot that day was better than the medalist from the Open qualifying I played in, who went on to play in the US Open using modern equipment, and was half the age of Jack when he shot that round during the opening. The tips were like 7,600 yards too.

 

The man has too many legendary stories to count.

 

In the year 2000 why would Nicklaus be playing a persimmon driver? He was using metal drivers in the 90's.

 

Edit to add: https://www.golf.com...r-jacks-weapons

 

He still used a persimmon 3 wood in the late 90's, so possible that the OP was thinking of some holes where he used it off the tee. I was at the Jack-Johnny Shell's match in 1997 and he had a crappy Nicklaus metal driver in the bag, but still had a persimmon 3 wood. He hit the ball great that day.

[Darth Putter]

Of course, the first time Jack had a chance to win a pro major it was one of his worst putting performances.

 

The last 9 at Cherry Hills in the 1960 US Open Jack had the lead, but 3 putted 13 and 14, and missed short putts at 16 and 18. His playing partner Ben Hogan said "I played with a kid that if he could putt he would have won by 10."

 

The kid got better.

[PowderedToastMan]

Fun Jack story: I played in a US Open qualifier around 5 years ago at a Jack Nicklaus design course in Montana. During the ceremonial opening, around a decade or two earlier, Jack shot something in the mid 60's, around 60 years old, with a persimmon driver from the tips, and conversing with fans the entire round. The score he shot that day was better than the medalist from the Open qualifying I played in, who went on to play in the US Open using modern equipment, and was half the age of Jack when he shot that round during the opening. The tips were like 7,600 yards too.

 

The man has too many legendary stories to count.

 

In the year 2000 why would Nicklaus be playing a persimmon driver? He was using metal drivers in the 90's.

 

Edit to add: https://www.golf.com...r-jacks-weapons

 

He still used a persimmon 3 wood in the late 90's, so possible that the OP was thinking of some holes where he used it off the tee. I was at the Jack-Johnny Shell's match in 1997 and he had a crappy Nicklaus metal driver in the bag, but still had a persimmon 3 wood. He hit the ball great that day.

I couldn’t find the whole story online (the driver and story of the grand opening are on display of the clubhouse, Old Works in Montana). What I could confirm is that the year was 1997 and he definitely was using a persimmon driver. I don’t remember the reason why; I seem to recall it was a replica of some driver he used to play. Considering the whole thing was ceremonial, I suppose it makes some sense that he played a ceremonial driver that he knew would be donated to the club for display.

[Hawkeye77]

Yesterday I was thinking to myself “Today, I could beat Jack head to head” and then I started to doubt myself. Considering he’s 79 and I’m approximately 50 years younger, much longer, and a plus handicap, that’s saying something. He’s got a competitive edge that can still propel him as a nearly octogenarian. That’s insane.

 

I’m someone who strongly believes nobody has played golf better than Tiger Woods, but I believe Jack was the best putter. I can’t even imagine how many events Jack would win in today’s game, driving it long and straight, hitting high straight irons, and making putts from everywhere (or lagging long ones to tap in distance, which he was legendary at). His game was arguably better designed for today’s era than his. Imagine Dustin Johnson with a legendary putting stroke and a genius level golf IQ.

 

DJ can't even imagine what a genius level golf IQ is!

[lowheel]

Still has the little smirk after making one... guys a boss

[iBanesto]

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/jim-flick-nicklaus-putting

NICKLAUS SAYS: Putting is largely individual. But I think (1) your head should remain steady and (2) your eyes should be directly over the line of the putt, not necessarily over the ball. That helps you align squarely and gets the putter moving on line.

After that, my central thought is, Feel the energy of the putter going through the ball. Distance is far more important than direction. If your speed is just right, you can use the full 4¼ inches of the cup. Nearly half the ball can miss the hole, and you can still make the putt.

I do not believe in hitting the ball, say, 16 inches past the cup, as some contend is the optimum speed. Unless I'm putting really grainy greens or the break is severe, I'm a die putter. That works for me.

 

[iBanesto]

 

Jackie Burke's tip to Nicklaus and view of his putting technique.