Aug
10
Jack Nicklaus completes leap to cranky old geezer with latest Tiger Woods whine
While the entire golf world fixates on Michelle Wie firing her caddie 10th hand - whoa, what a shocker the endlessly fawned over Wie holds a big ego and no manners - a much more significant golf figure’s real news making is being ignored.
Jack Nicklaus went off his rocker in Canada. In someplace called Banff at something called the Telus Skins Game, Nicklaus could not avoid going off on another rambling rant about Tiger Woods inevitable smashing of his majors record.
Nicklaus laments that it took him six or seven years to realize that the majors were important (yes, this is his argument. Hey, some people still believe O.J. Simpson).
“I went through a period from 1967-70 where I was winning six or seven tournaments a year but I wasn’t winning the majors and it really wasn’t a big deal to me until my father passed away,” Nicklaus told the Canadian press.
“I realized I was wasting a lot of my time and my effort on not really working that hard at what I was doing. I passed a lot of good years there and I don’t think Tiger has done that.”
But wait, Jack is not done sounding like Grandpa “I walked to school every day through 10 feet of snow with five pit bulls chasing me.”
“If I knew that Tiger was coming along I would have focused a lot earlier in my life,” Nicklaus said. If Bobby Jones had won 20 majors I would have focused a lot earlier on 20.”
Damn, those scientists for not inventing a time machine so Jack could go forward and see what he needed to set the major record at. And damn that slouch Bobby Jones for not setting a higher standard for Jack.
Please, Mr. Nicklaus. Be quiet. Every time you talk now you sound more and more like a cranky old man bitter that his records are going to go down. Now, the excuse is that if Nicklaus had only known Tiger was coming, he surely could have won 25, 30, heck 40 majors.
Nicklaus can try to paint this any way he wants. Truth is these are the words of someone who’s frantically trying to convince everyone he’s still the greatest golfer of all time. Nicklaus isn’t comfortable letting his records speak for themselves anymore.
Instead in the face of Tiger’s relentless march, he’s coming across as desperate and more than a little sad. This is no way for a legend to be remembered.
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25 comments
Comment from: JR [Visitor]
You sir are disrespectful to one of the game's legends. Can't you just take anything at face value? There are those that believe if the courses (today's manicured greens and fairways) and equipment available today were around when Mr. Nicklaus was in his prime, that he would have more wins and majors.. Remember, he has 19 2nd and 9 3rd place finishes in the majors. Who knows, a stroke here or there... But none of that matters... all that matters is you are being disrespectful for no reason.
2006-08-10 @ 07:09
Comment from: Mike [Visitor]
He's not Saint Jack for crying out loud. If the courses and equipment would of been better in his day, then all the golfers back then that did beat him in majors would of been just that much better also.Maybe Hank Aaron should be lamenting "If only they had steroids in my day".
Its been obvious for years now that Jack can't handle being known as the 2nd best golfer in the world. He better get used to it, just as 30 years from now Tiger maybe will be in the same boat.
Its been obvious for years now that Jack can't handle being known as the 2nd best golfer in the world. He better get used to it, just as 30 years from now Tiger maybe will be in the same boat.
2006-08-10 @ 07:31
Comment from: mamboking [Visitor]
Amen Mike. You are right. If the equipment would have been better then a lot more competitors would have challenged Jack. The equipment nowadays makes an OK golfer, a great golfer.
Regarding Jack, this is nothing new. I guess he is only human and he is used to people telling him he is "the best of all time". So naturally it has to hurt now that he sees his days as "the best of all time" numbered. Greg Lemond has done the same thing in Cycling constantly bickering about Lance Armstrong. In the NBA, legends like Wilt Charmberlain love to talk about that if the game was officiated in his time like it is today, he would have average 100 pts every night. I guess, for a legend it is hard to see themselves being relagated to number 2, ego-wise, not to mention that endorsement money potential goes down based on their legendary value.
Regarding Jack, this is nothing new. I guess he is only human and he is used to people telling him he is "the best of all time". So naturally it has to hurt now that he sees his days as "the best of all time" numbered. Greg Lemond has done the same thing in Cycling constantly bickering about Lance Armstrong. In the NBA, legends like Wilt Charmberlain love to talk about that if the game was officiated in his time like it is today, he would have average 100 pts every night. I guess, for a legend it is hard to see themselves being relagated to number 2, ego-wise, not to mention that endorsement money potential goes down based on their legendary value.
2006-08-10 @ 09:29
Comment from: Merrin [Visitor]
Dont worry Jack, you'll still be considered great.
The irony in all this is that HAD Nicklaus 'taken it more seriously' and applied more pressure & importance at an early age...there's a good chance he would have won LESS.
The irony in all this is that HAD Nicklaus 'taken it more seriously' and applied more pressure & importance at an early age...there's a good chance he would have won LESS.
2006-08-10 @ 10:45
Comment from: JAYPEE [Visitor]
I have to agree and disagree with you. Saying that, if he had known Tiger was coming he would have won more majors, is weak. The same goes for equipment or good course conditioning.
However I have to take more seriously the part where he says he did not put as much importance on majors and only focused on that later in his career. I remember when Nicklaus came along, majors did have their importance, but not like today when these events are 100 times more important than the others.
The British Open was a major, but almost secondary for North Americans. It was good to win a major, but in those days, there was a PGA Tour and it was important to win the Bob Hope, to win at Riviera, at Greensboro, at Doral, at the Western, at Firestone...and so on.
You had to win everywhere to make enough money to earn a living. You could not focus strictly on majors and a few more important tour events. I can understand that having to play more and having to play often had such an impact.
Jack only started to build his schedule around majors in the second half of his career, after he assured financial security for his family.
2006-08-10 @ 11:26
Comment from: ToddCommish [Visitor]
Essentially, Jack is admitting that he wasted some of his talent because of poor work habits. In a roundabout way, of course...
What separates Tiger from even the other great golfers is his unwavering commitment to be the best ever. Nicklaus just wanted to beat Arnie, Gary, Lee, and Tom. Tiger wants to put up Michael Jordan or Jerry Rice numbers that cannot be reached.
What separates Tiger from even the other great golfers is his unwavering commitment to be the best ever. Nicklaus just wanted to beat Arnie, Gary, Lee, and Tom. Tiger wants to put up Michael Jordan or Jerry Rice numbers that cannot be reached.
2006-08-10 @ 12:32
Comment from: Booger [Visitor]
JAYPEE is right, there is a great deal of revisionism at play here.
For example, when Gene Sarazen won the Masters in 1935, did any journalists run up to him and ask "How does it feel to complete the career grand slam?"
The "professional grand slam" was invented by golf writers after Arnold won the Masters and US Open in 1960, just prior to appearing in the British Open.
Back in the good old days, Byron Nelson said the "majors" were the tournaments that sponsors paid extra in bonuses if one of their golfers won. That would make the LA Opens and Western Opens in the 30's and 40's major championships.
For example, when Gene Sarazen won the Masters in 1935, did any journalists run up to him and ask "How does it feel to complete the career grand slam?"
The "professional grand slam" was invented by golf writers after Arnold won the Masters and US Open in 1960, just prior to appearing in the British Open.
Back in the good old days, Byron Nelson said the "majors" were the tournaments that sponsors paid extra in bonuses if one of their golfers won. That would make the LA Opens and Western Opens in the 30's and 40's major championships.
2006-08-10 @ 13:19
Comment from: JoeR [Visitor]
Why do you get upset when someone speaks with honest feelings? It is interesting to know what Jack thinks. You can dissect all you want but it is his opinion and feelings.
Hooray for Jack speaking thruthfully rather than some PC crap like so many of the other pro golfers today.
Hooray for Jack speaking thruthfully rather than some PC crap like so many of the other pro golfers today.
2006-08-10 @ 13:56
Comment from: hc2 [Visitor]
Jack's argument doesn't have validity, because Tiger could say that he is playing in a more competitive tour than Jack did. Nowadays the Top 50 golfers have a chance to win a major. In Jack's era it was more like the Top 10.
2006-08-10 @ 17:42
Comment from: Joe Cool [Visitor]
Nicklaus was a great golfer, however, he is also a very selfish egotist who has not committed himself to many charity events. He has and still is only for the rich. Every country club that he has ever designed was for the very rich. Outside of the golf arena I have never respected Nicklaus for what he has stood for. Even during his prime you probably could count on one hand how many autographs he gave out. Unfortunatly, Tiger is following in his footsteps. Of course, in Jack's day you didn't have Ebay where a fan could immediately sell your autograph to the highest bidder. Please Jack, disappear quietly into the sunset and leave us alone.
2006-08-10 @ 18:43
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
Baldwin,
You're way off on this. I heard Nicklaus addressing the issue of Woods ascendancy a few years ago, and he was quite gracious about the matter. With a countenance that bespoke of great peace, he said that he had no problem with the idea that Woods may shatter his records. He said something to the effect of, if some young man comes along and betters my records, that's fine.
As far as the equipment and conditions go, there's one relevant issue that no one has mentioned. People have long been critical of the ball Nicklaus used (was it a McGregor?), saying it was a piece of junk. Well, the USGA finally tested the errant orb and sure enough, they found that it could be as much as thirty yards off-line at times!
So, who knows? He very well might have won more majors had he used one of the better balls of the day.
You're way off on this. I heard Nicklaus addressing the issue of Woods ascendancy a few years ago, and he was quite gracious about the matter. With a countenance that bespoke of great peace, he said that he had no problem with the idea that Woods may shatter his records. He said something to the effect of, if some young man comes along and betters my records, that's fine.
As far as the equipment and conditions go, there's one relevant issue that no one has mentioned. People have long been critical of the ball Nicklaus used (was it a McGregor?), saying it was a piece of junk. Well, the USGA finally tested the errant orb and sure enough, they found that it could be as much as thirty yards off-line at times!
So, who knows? He very well might have won more majors had he used one of the better balls of the day.
2006-08-10 @ 23:14
Comment from: Ken Pitts [Visitor]
How many majors have you won. Jack won 18. Tiger has won 11 and is pointing to a lot more. Show some respect. If anyone in the game deserves it, it is Jack Nicklaus.
2006-08-11 @ 00:39
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Judge Smails, As recently as May 31, the day before the Memorial, I heard Jack himself address this subject when a person asked the question in a Q&A session on the practice tee. He gave the standard answer about records being made to be broken, and expressed regret that Woods wasn't there for the first time in ten years due to the illness of his father. If there is one person who could not care less about something like his records, it's Jack Nicklaus. Tiger still has a long way to go to tie or exceed Jack's 18 major wins. He may well do it, but wouldn't it be better to wait for him to actually do it before giving him the record? One thing is certain, if Tiger does or does not get the majors' record, it won't be for lack of effort. As Woods once said of his work ethic, he doesn't "bag" it.
2006-08-11 @ 08:26
Comment from: Mike [Visitor]
Why would any golfer of his stature play with an inferior ball? Makes no sense.Nicklaus had a financial stake with MeGregor at the time, but they would of come up with a ball equal to, or better than the other players were using.
Secondly, what a public figure says to the press and what he feels in his heart are often different. Nicklaus relishs those titles, as well he should, but I believe he would like to leave this planet still holding them. Who wouldn't
Secondly, what a public figure says to the press and what he feels in his heart are often different. Nicklaus relishs those titles, as well he should, but I believe he would like to leave this planet still holding them. Who wouldn't
2006-08-11 @ 11:14
Comment from: Ronnie [Visitor]
Tiger has about a 5 year window to win more majors.
Then Paula Creamer will join and dominate the pga tour and Tiger would be lucky to win any majors after that.
Of course Paula won't play well in every tournament, so Tiger may still have some chances, but not very many.
Then Paula Creamer will join and dominate the pga tour and Tiger would be lucky to win any majors after that.
Of course Paula won't play well in every tournament, so Tiger may still have some chances, but not very many.
2006-08-11 @ 12:17
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Mike, Which of Jack's titles are in danger of being taken from him? He will have all his wins and/or titles when he departs this earth. Why would he not have them?
2006-08-11 @ 12:30
Comment from: Mike [Visitor]
Sorry for the confusion Alex. I meant the title of all time major winner. I assumed that was the subject that was at hand since Baldwin's article was based on that.
2006-08-12 @ 00:20
Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]
"Comment from: Ronnie [Visitor]
Tiger has about a 5 year window to win more majors.
Then Paula Creamer will join and dominate the pga tour and Tiger would be lucky to win any majors after that.
Of course Paula won't play well in every tournament, so Tiger may still have some chances, but not very many."
Ronnie will that be right after she dominates the LPGA tour like she has this season?
Tiger has about a 5 year window to win more majors.
Then Paula Creamer will join and dominate the pga tour and Tiger would be lucky to win any majors after that.
Of course Paula won't play well in every tournament, so Tiger may still have some chances, but not very many."
Ronnie will that be right after she dominates the LPGA tour like she has this season?
2006-08-12 @ 01:46
Comment from: Travis [Visitor]
I have a different gripe about this blog entry.
"Someplace named Banff"????
Is this site not called TRAVELgolf?
Banff is not only a top tourist destination in Canada, but also in the world. It also is home to one of the worlds top ranked golf courses.
What kind of dismissive comment was that?
What a clown!
"Someplace named Banff"????
Is this site not called TRAVELgolf?
Banff is not only a top tourist destination in Canada, but also in the world. It also is home to one of the worlds top ranked golf courses.
What kind of dismissive comment was that?
What a clown!
2006-08-12 @ 08:19
Comment from: mark [Visitor]
thank you chris for writing this. so many in the golf community are afraid to say anythining critical of jack. i for one think he and arnold palmer are the biggest egomaniacs sports has ever seen. jackie burke won the masters a long time ago but you didn't see him playing at augusta until he got "kicked out" uh sent a nice letter from hootie. i totally resent these old geezers for not just going away gracefully.
2006-08-12 @ 08:39
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
mark, My take on your post is that you are a relatively young person(you TOTALLY resent these old geezers) who knows very little about either of these fine gentlemen. Your statement that Jack and Arnie are "the two biggest egomaniacs sports has ever seen" is beyond the pale. Have you ever heard of Cassius Clay, aka Muhammad Ali? I'm not acquainted personally with either Jack or Arnie, but I know a few people who are. They would be genuinely affronted by your assessment of the characters of these gracious and generous men. If you really feel that way, it is , of course, your business and privilege. But from what I've heard, you couldn't be more wrong. Incidentally, mark, Why no capitals? Maybe your "cap" key is broken, yes?
2006-08-12 @ 09:02
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
Alex,
Without a doubt Nicklaus has placed golf in greater perspective than most of these other golfers. I have heard him say on a number of occasion that golf is not his life, and once recently he characterized it (in a loving fashion) as a "silly little game." Also, when addressing the notion that he was dedicated, he pointed out that he never was; rather, he prepared well. He said that Gary Player was an example of a golfer of his era who was dedicated.
It also should be pointed out that once Nicklaus had a family he became, in essence, a part time player, only tossing his hat into the ring about fifteen times a year.
My point is that I don't think the Golden Bear loses even a wink of sleep over the prospect of his records being shattered.
Without a doubt Nicklaus has placed golf in greater perspective than most of these other golfers. I have heard him say on a number of occasion that golf is not his life, and once recently he characterized it (in a loving fashion) as a "silly little game." Also, when addressing the notion that he was dedicated, he pointed out that he never was; rather, he prepared well. He said that Gary Player was an example of a golfer of his era who was dedicated.
It also should be pointed out that once Nicklaus had a family he became, in essence, a part time player, only tossing his hat into the ring about fifteen times a year.
My point is that I don't think the Golden Bear loses even a wink of sleep over the prospect of his records being shattered.
2006-08-12 @ 12:43
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
Mike,
You asked why a player of Nicklaus' stature would play with an inferior ball. The fact of the matter is that in the era in which he competed equipment manufacturing and monitoring were not down to a science like they are today. Nicklaus simply didn't know that the ball was as deficient as it was. The fact remains, however, that modern scientific analysis has demonstrated that it was deficient.
You asked why a player of Nicklaus' stature would play with an inferior ball. The fact of the matter is that in the era in which he competed equipment manufacturing and monitoring were not down to a science like they are today. Nicklaus simply didn't know that the ball was as deficient as it was. The fact remains, however, that modern scientific analysis has demonstrated that it was deficient.
2006-08-12 @ 12:48
Comment from: Mike L [Visitor]
I agree that if Jack had better technology in golf clubs he may have been able to hit it longer but as all you golfers know longer is not necessarily better if your not in the fairway. Also, the golf courses are longer than they were in Jack's day which makes up for the distance difference with the newer technology in golf clubs. The statement that if Jack only knew that Tiger would be coming along he would have put more importance in Majors. In my point of view it's bull. Jack put importance in every tournament he played because he didn't want to lose. Players like Jack and Tiger are competitors and losing is not in their vocabulary. Jack, Arnold, Bobby, etc, are the reason golf is the way it is. They made it possible for the Tigers of the world to play the game. Jack you will always be remembered for one of the golf's greatest's.
2006-08-16 @ 07:57
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