Just a reminder of Jack's dominance

[Golferpaul]

Many younger golf fans who didn't watch golf during Jack's prime don't realize how dominant he was.  So, for the younger group, look at these stats and marvel how dominant he was 50 years ago.  His dominance was quite similar to Tiger's.

 

Justin Ray for PGATour.com...

 

87...In 17 Masters starts from 1963 through 1979, Nicklaus won five Green Jackets and finished outside the top-10 only twice. Nicklaus was 87-under-par at Augusta National in that stretch, 69 shots better than any other player. In 66 rounds, he beat the field scoring average 59 times (89.4%). Nicklaus gained 206 strokes against the field in that span, 76 more than anyone else (Gary Player was second, at 130).

 

15...From 1966 through 1980, Nicklaus never finished worse than sixth at The Open Championship. Since Nicklaus’ streak ended in 1981, there has not been another player to do it more than three consecutive years at The Open. Nicklaus’ streak is nearly twice as long as any other player since World War II – Peter Thomson did it in eight straight Opens from 1951 to 1958.

 

35...In the entire decade of the 1970s, Nicklaus finished in the top-10 in 35 of 40 major championships. In that span, he had more wins in the majors (8) than finishes outside the top-ten (5).

 

22...From 1966 through 1982, Nicklaus won four U.S. Open titles and finished T-11 or better 18 times. In that span, he recorded 22 rounds in the 60s at the U.S. Open, eight more than anyone else (Arnold Palmer had the second-most, with 14). He averaged 3.41 Strokes Gained: Total per round in that span, nearly half-a-stroke more than any other player in that span with 40 or more rounds played (Tom Watson, 2.95).

 

56...Nicklaus has 56 top-five finishes in major championships. No other player has more than 33 (Tiger Woods). From 1960 through 1980 alone, Jack had 51 top-five finishes in majors, more than twice as many as any other player in that span. Palmer had the second-most, with 23.

 

Know your Jack Nicklaus numbers (pgatour.com)

 

 

[tiderider]

i remember looking at that Open stat years ago ... that's impressive, to me ... outside his three wins, he had ten top 3s in that period ... 

 

if you look at his own website, it has his wins/2nd place/3rd place finishes ... 73/58/36 ... using 25 years from 62-86, and assuming 22 tournaments a year, which is probably generous since he didn't play more than 10-15 or so after 1980, that's roughly a 33 % top 3 finish throughout his career ... 1 of every 3 tournaments, he finished in the top 3 ... 

Edited May 31, 2022 by tiderider

[gvogel]

Jack was a very gifted, very driven player who worked very hard at his craft.  He was also very well coached by the same person from an early age.  His record is unsurpassed, and likely will be.

 

Now do a deep dive on Bobby Jones in the 1920's.

[rblmp32]

Man.  That’s ridiculous consistency.  So good.  

[Ferguson]

Only a matter of time.   

Ben Hogan?

[otw]

Hogan's numbers weren't too bad.  1945 returning from WW II until his accident 1949.  98 tournaments   37 wins, 15 second place, 12 third place.  

[A.Princey]

If you ain’t first, you’re last!!!

[DON SVO]

Psssssh, those old weak fields made Jack look like Tiger Woods. 
 

👀
 

 

[Ferguson]

5 hours ago, DON SVO said:

Psssssh, those old weak fields made Jack look like Tiger Woods. 
 

👀
 

 

 

It was easier then.  That's the reason Jack played well.   

 

Additionally, 

The fields weren't so deep.

The caddies weren't as good.

The players ate more gluten. 

Metal spikes sounded cool.

 

 

 

 

 

[iBanesto]

Also Nicklaus was that ridiculously consistent with these clubs.

 

• No forgiveness.
• No modern custom fitting.
• No hybrids.
• No Twist Face technology.
• No TrackMan.
• No AimPoint.
• No strokes gain.

 

 

 

Edited June 1, 2022 by iBanesto

[PowderedToastMan]

In my mind, Jack and Tiger are equal in terms of dominance, though Tiger’s peak golf is better than prime Jack (you think any version of Jack is beating Tiger Slam Tiger?). The gap between Jack and Tiger and number 3 is light years, not even close. The gap between Jack and Tiger is splitting hairs.  

[Golferpaul]

21 hours ago, DON SVO said:

Psssssh, those old weak fields made Jack look like Tiger Woods. 
 

👀
 

 

But they were not pampered like Tiger.  Tiger had 10 times as much help as Jack.

 

 

[Golferpaul]

16 hours ago, Ferguson said:

 

It was easier then.  That's the reason Jack played well.   

 

Additionally, 

The fields weren't so deep.

The caddies weren't as good.

The players ate more gluten. 

Metal spikes sounded cool.

 

 

 

 

 

It was much harder back then.  They didn't have a staff of professionals helping.

[tatertot]

Why did we bring up Tiger ... or anybody? Enjoy Jack. Enjoy Tiger. They are what they are. Genius personified.

[Ferguson]

19 minutes ago, Golferpaul said:

It was much harder back then.  They didn't have a staff of professionals helping.

The "life coaches." 

 

[woahnelly]

Gary Player always admired me back then considering he was probably jet lagged every tournament he played in. Traveling wasn't as luxurious back then either! 

[Bye]

His results in the majors are just mind blowing. I remember watching a segment at the Masters a few years ago when current players were handed cards with some of his stats on. Their faces said it all. People forget. 

[naval2006]

On 6/1/2022 at 7:15 AM, iBanesto said:

Also Nicklaus was that ridiculously consistent with these clubs.

 

• No forgiveness.
• No modern custom fitting.
• No hybrids.
• No Twist Face technology.
• No TrackMan.
• No AimPoint.
• No strokes gain.

 

 

 

 

 

And based on the scholars at WRX the guy was a case of early extension 

[iBanesto]

21 minutes ago, naval2006 said:

And based on the scholars at WRX the guy was a case of early extension 

 

Also no 3 piece Titleist Pro V1 golf ball.

 

[Rapidcat]

My favourite golfer. 

 

Almost always kept himself in the contest (think of his instruction about the A, B, C recovery shot and him almost always pick C), waiting for everyone else to implode and they mostly did to allow him to motor on past them when they went backwards.

 

That's why he has so many 2nd's, 3rd's and other top 10's - he just kept doing his thing and occasionally others didn't implode. 

 

Better than anyone else of his era AND played the percentages in true Germanic style.

[Mike_C]

29 minutes ago, iBanesto said:

 

Also no 3 piece Titleist Pro V1 golf ball.

 

He also played most of that era with really crappy golf balls

[DON SVO]

10 hours ago, Golferpaul said:

But they were not pampered like Tiger.  Tiger had 10 times as much help as Jack.

 

 

 

I used the eye emoji to hopefully help convey the sarcasm, tongue-in-cheek nature of my post.

 

I have failed you, you have my apologies.

[WilliePPQ]

Well, considering the 35 year age difference between Jack and TW and 38 year difference between Jack and Mr. Jones, any attempt to compare players from such markedly different eras doesn't make much sense to me. Each of them was truly dominant in their respective prime. But personally I have to respect the most those who did their best with persimmon and rubber band balls. 

[SwooshLT]

3 hours ago, iBanesto said:

 

Also no 3 piece Titleist Pro V1 golf ball.

 

 

But everyone played same gear.....so no advantage or disadvantage noted

[naval2006]

Compared to today's gear, the equipment of those days was serious crap, but the guys made do with it anyways.

[cinnepa]

jack the GOAT, IMO....i always thought the competition then though wasn't nearly as good as today. i still preferred the "swing the swing you have" theory back then though - compared to the robot swings of today. 

[iBanesto]

Nicklaus owned his swing.

 

Unique and purely his own. A swing you would notice from a distance.

 

 

[Big Cat 3]

Had to beat a few people few that were even athletes ... end of story 

Now great athletes play and there are thousands of great players  

[Steele47]

I've had 3 Nicklaus encounters.   

 

My favorite is when I went up to his table in the clubhouse restaurant (where I worked at the time) asking if where in fact his future daughter in law left her purse (She lost it thinking it was somehow someone else' fault).  She was Gary Nicklaus' fiancee and he was trying to make the tour.  Q School.

 

After looking into locating the future Mrs. Gary Nicklaus' purse which I could not find,, I had to go up to the Nicklaus'  restaurant table to inform them of not locating 'said' purse.  They were having lunch at the time.  Was during Tour School La Quinta circa 97.

Never found out what happened.

 

I also remember,  Mr Nicklaus as quite the gentleman.  He looked me in the eye as I gave my story of no purse finding.  He was very cool. 

 

But my first Jack Nicklaus encounter is the one I cherish the most.  Was probably 1976 or 77.  Bob Hope Desert Classic.  I believe it was Tamarisk CC sp?..   I had just witnessed Nicklaus hit a 4 iron on a par 3 sky high which as a kid had me loaded with admiration.  

 

The next hole,, a par 4 of no description he yanked it left near stucco houses.  His ball went into some bushes of some sort near more stucco.

 

What makes my memory 'memorable' is that for some reason there were only a handful of us trying to find his golf ball.  Was crazy.  For like 3 minutes it was me,  3? other dudes, and Jack Nicklaus looking for Jacks's ball.  He patted me on my back.  He thanked us etc..    

 

Jack Nicklaus was a perfect gentleman when I've met him but I have been hoodwinked before..   We'll see..

 

 

 

 

Don't ask me for result.   Many moons ago...

 

I was probably 11 years old.  My Dad like he always did just let me roam.   My Dad was probably watching how cool it was I could help out Jack Niclaus look for a golf ball. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[iBanesto]

27 minutes ago, Steele47 said:

I've had 3 Nicklaus encounters.   

 

My favorite is when I went up to his table in the clubhouse restaurant (where I worked at the time) asking if where in fact his future daughter in law left her purse (She lost it thinking it was somehow someone else' fault).  She was Gary Nicklaus' fiancee and he was trying to make the tour.  Q School.

 

After looking into locating the future Mrs. Gary Nicklaus' purse which I could not find,, I had to go up to the Nicklaus'  restaurant table to inform them of not locating 'said' purse.  They were having lunch at the time.  Was during Tour School La Quinta circa 97.

Never found out what happened.

 

I also remember,  Mr Nicklaus as quite the gentleman.  He looked me in the eye as I gave my story of no purse finding.  He was very cool. 

 

But my first Jack Nicklaus encounter is the one I cherish the most.  Was probably 1976 or 77.  Bob Hope Desert Classic.  I believe it was Tamarisk CC sp?..   I had just witnessed Nicklaus hit a 4 iron on a par 3 sky high which as a kid had me loaded with admiration.  

 

The next hole,, a par 4 of no description he yanked it left near stucco houses.  His ball went into some bushes of some sort near more stucco.

 

What makes my memory 'memorable' is that for some reason there were only a handful of us trying to find his golf ball.  Was crazy.  For like 3 minutes it was me,  3? other dudes, and Jack Nicklaus looking for Jacks's ball.  He patted me on my back.  He thanked us etc..    

 

Jack Nicklaus was a perfect gentleman when I've met him but I have been hoodwinked before..   We'll see..

 

 

 

 

Don't ask me for result.   Many moons ago...

 

I was probably 11 years old.  My Dad like he always did just let me roam.   My Dad was probably watching how cool it was I could help out Jack Niclaus look for a golf ball. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great stories.

 

Thank you for the summaries.