Jack Nicklaus Quotes

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Jack Nicklaus

Profession : Golfer

Birth : January 21, 1940

The best way to cope with trouble is to stay out of it as much as possible.

Jack Nicklaus

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.

Jack Nicklaus

It's hard not to play golf that's up to Jack Nicklaus standards when you are Jack Nicklaus.

Jack Nicklaus

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

Jack Nicklaus

The game is meant to be fun.

Jack Nicklaus

I like trying to win. That's what golf is all about.

Jack Nicklaus

The longer you play, the better chance the better player has of winning.

Jack Nicklaus

Professional golf is the only sport where, if you win 20% of the time, you're the best.

Jack Nicklaus

But if I played well and prepared myself properly, then all I had to do was control myself and put myself in a position to win.

Jack Nicklaus

I first saw Arnold Palmer when I was just a kid and he came to Columbus to play in a tournament. I watched him on the driving range hit balls that day. We went on to become great friends.

Jack Nicklaus

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.

Jack Nicklaus

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

Jack Nicklaus

I thoroughly enjoy working with kids, whether it's The First Tee or the lesson tee with my grandkids.

Jack Nicklaus

And, of course, I'm constantly energized by designing courses around the world.

Jack Nicklaus

In 1979, when I was 39, I had such a bad year, I thought it was all over. Thankfully it wasn't.

Jack Nicklaus

If I have a weakness, it's probably ice cream. That's where I get lax, sloppy. I'll sneak into the refrigerator at night and take two or three bites and put it back. Butter pecan. Only two or three bites, but it shows.

Jack Nicklaus

Sometimes, I'm an ogre. I can be short. I'll walk into the office some days and I've gotten up on the wrong side of the bed, and everybody knows it. I'm a perfectionist. I like to be organized, and I like to get everything done today.

Jack Nicklaus

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.

Jack Nicklaus

When I fly in a helicopter, I insist there be two sets of controls, one for me in case something happens to the pilot. I'm no expert, but I know enough to at least get the thing on the ground. Nothing scares me like the thought of not being in control.

Jack Nicklaus

All I ever wanted to do was play competitive golf against the best players in the world.

Jack Nicklaus