On 85th birthday, Jack Nicklaus weighs in on how the game has changed | Golf Central | Golf Channel

Celebrating his 85th, Jack Nicklaus joins 5 Clubs Golf on Golf Central to talk about winning around -- but not on -- his birthday, Scottie Scheffler's greatness, the changes in the game on and off the course and more. #GolfChannel #PGATour #JackNicklaus
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On 85th birthday, Jack Nicklaus weighs in on how the game has changed | Golf Central | Golf Channel
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[@tomtreese6857]

Happy 85th Jack. I have a bit of history to share with you. On May 14th 1960 we played a college match "The match of the Pharmacists" at Wildwood Country Club in Pittsburgh Pa when Pitt met Ohio State. You broke my course record that day. I finished Pharmacy school and spent 5 years in the Navy and 30 years in Pharmacy while following your stellar carrier. We do have another connection through my son Mark Treese, who, was the head pro at Bear Lakes CC in West Palm Beach in the 90's and Ty Grove who was an employee of Nicklaus Golf in the same time period. In the 1980's Mark, David, his older brother, and Ty were on the high school golf team I coached to record 35 wins and 0 losses. I hope you get yo see this? Enjoy your 85th.... My 87th is next month. Tom Treese

[@gerrykelly2440]

It's great to see Jack looking so well.

[@victorkreitner754]

He sure does. The last Masters ceremonial tee off he didn't look so hot. In this video he has good color in his face or maybe just a nice tan after being somewhere nice in the winter. Seems to have an energetic glow about him.

[@4Q2now]

Simply the GOAT. Player, family values, father, husband, business man, philanthropist, humble, kind, a gentleman in every sense of the word. These are all traits that make Jack the GOAT. Traits that the guy in the red shirt has never had.

[@ChrisS-r6j]

Totally agree that Tiger is a db. But to claim that JN is "humble" is absurd.

[@gapwedge1742]

Jack has a prickly personality, which may have mellowed somewhat with age. So, I would not characterize him as being a gentle man. He was a fierce competitor … same as Tiger and Jordan.

[@littlebob1261]

Jack is a horrible man, a Trump supporter. GTFO with the goat talk

[@joel-s4w8x]

Traits don't make somebody a goat dude. That's a pathetic take. Jordan is the greatest athlete and basketball player to ever live but he isn't a nice person and cheated on his wife. Does that make him lesser of a player? LMAO

[@ChrisS-r6j]

@@joel-s4w8x Read a little more carefully, friend. At no time did I question Jack's (or Tiger's) golf accomplishments, which are indisputable. I'm challenging (and I reject) the fiction that Jack is humble, kind, etc.

[@kennywidd]

Happy Birthday Mr. Nicklaus. I always love to listen to your opinions on all things golf!

[@jimmurphy834]

1986 Masters is still one of the greatest sports moments in my life. Jack will always be the GOAT in my opinion.

[@moemanncann895]

Jack WILLED putts into the hole, he refused to believe that it would miss because he trusted his reads, putting stroke and nerves, Seve comes closest to that type of confidence

[@thepunisher3236]

Data agrees with you also

[@moemanncann895]

He closed the deal with his son,in his late 40s, he captured lightning in a bottle and knocked the 4 iron out of Seves hands with that roar heard throughout Augusta National

[@michaelbush58]

In all fairness Tigers last Masters win and Watsons Open showing at his age are up there too.

[@thepunisher3236]

@ Irrelevant

[@colinglen4505]

Jack looks and sounds really well. Great to see him.

[@victorkreitner754]

Seems to have put on a little muscle on his arms. Still has some golf pipes there.

[@Sean_Farmer]

Happy Birthday, Jack! You were my golfing hero growing up and reminded me of my father (another of my heroes) in many ways. You're less than a month older, had similar builds, and very similar hairstyles. In fact, a few of my friends dubbed him "The Brown Bear", due to his then brown hair. Like you, he also hit the ball a country mile. In the early '80s when he struggled with woods he played with all irons. No woods in the bag...just 1 iron to sand wedge. He consistently hit his par 4 and 5 tee shots with his one iron, almost always past a good golfer's woods. A 250-260 yard 1 iron back then was massive. I used to love to see jaws drop when people around the tee box saw that. He passed away several years ago but every time I see you it reminds me of him. Many blessings to you and your family Jack.

[@Sean_Farmer]

Jack likely won't see this but if anyone who knows him could mention my comment, even just in passing, I would really appreciate it.

[@brucewayne3602]

absolutely ... Jack Rules Always === King Goat &&& more !!!

[@stevep927]

Happy Birthday Jack........ always been my idol

[@azcharlie2009]

Jack was the model for my golf swing. Thank you Jack, for all the great times, and great golf. There will never be another you!

[@bigcountry4539]

I love what Jack says about players being able to fix themselves and "own their swing" instead of being too reliant on a coach... if Tiger wouldn't have been so obsessed with changing his swing and would've stuck with his 1999 - 2002 swing, he would've avoided injuries and would've won 20+ majors and usurped Jack as the GOAT... Tiger should've followed Jack's lead and example in merely making adjustments or tweeks instead of swing rebuilds... Jack is the GOAT!

[@sappermade6012]

We love you Jack!! Very Happy Birthday!!! The greatest of all time!!

[@littlebob1261]

Jack sucks, he played against trash cans and now is a trump supporter. He sucks

[@johnhughes2043]

Happy Birthday Jack! I hope you have many more in good health. Thank you for all you and Barbara have given to not only the game of golf but many, many others outside of the game.

[@JHC63]

Thanks for the memories and happy birthday Jack !

[@JACOJACO-q4v]

Congrats on 85 looking good in my opinion still the goat of the game.

[@Neptune212]

My golf hero congratulations

[@a.p.5906]

THE GOLDEN BEAR. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIR JACK !

[@Rammer6719]

Happy Birthday Jack

[@Golfzilla5000]

a lot of people don't realize how cool it actually is to be able to talk to someone like Jack Nicklaus and have him tell a little anecdote from some time he spent with BOBBY JONES. That's a huge part of American Golf History right there. Bobby was inspired by the first American winner of the US Open Francis Ouimet, Bobby Jones was out there at the British Open being observed by none other than Harry Vardon (there's a photo of that on record). And there's photos of Bobby Jones watching a very young Jack Nicklaus, with the comment "He plays golf in a way that i am unfamiliar" (paraphrasing that, i'm sure). Just incredible.

[@odmusicman]

I find it interesting and heartening that when Jack was asked about a player, he first described them as a nice guy, a stable guy, a good head on their shoulders, and then said they were a good golfer. That's priorities.

[@moemanncann895]

Watched 1st round highlights of the San Diego tournament, l recognized maybe 2 guys out of the couple dozen they showed. Time flies when we age but I appreciate watching the new breed. You gotta appreciate the fact that Jack gauges players by what type of person they are moreso than the talent they have

[@tom5216]

Jack is a legend. Still the GOAT.

[@rustystokes1404]

Class act for sure, was a Palmer fan growing up, so was hard to be a Jack fan ….but Jack’s record speaks for itself

[@ildblm1507]

Congratulations! A gentleman golfer, a great athlete, a winner - always loved watching you play. Thank You for everything.❤🙏

[@Oahugolfguy]

I genuinely love Mr Nicklaus. I get Mr Palmer was the peoples champ but he kept things simple….in my lifetime it has been jack who has been so engaging with all sorts of in depth info. And just been such an example of class and family and all of that. We love you Mr Nicklaus. Thanks for everything you have done and continue to do.

[@rickhardcastle5402]

Happy Birthday Jack. You're the best.

[@triplicity3]

Happy 85 Jack! What a great role model for us🙏

[@tomdallas3690]

Jack is looking and sounding good. A year or two ago he looked like he was on death's door.

[@DanielDydzak]

Class act, jack . Saw him play in canada when i was young

[@j.p.montpellier3834]

Happy Birthday Mr. Nicklaus ! Santé ! 🍷⛳️🇨🇦

[@Patrick-zi2yt]

Happy birthday, you old goat. You are the GOAT!

[@daviddavis5866]

Congratulations GOAT!

[@beefchops1400]

The fact he says he’s not very sharp is hysterical….sharpest guy to ever play the game! LEGEND

[@sepetisionelatu5539]

THE GOAT, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

[@johnc.9443]

Happy Birthday Mr. Nicklaus. The G.O.A.T. Personally as well as Professionally. Simple as that.

[@marcbrown729]

Happy birthday Mr Nicklaus

[@mikegrebe536]

Rode out a tornado warning with Jack right behind me in Memphis 1965. Happy Birthday Jack.

[@timmccarthy5782]

Looking great . A hero .

[@steplumpkin5432]

LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!

[@John-h7y9u]

The greatest golfer ever. !!!

[@thomasszmidt2469]

Happy Health Birthday to a great gentleman family man human being having your priorities in order God Bless !!!!

[@billmason2785]

My hero ⛳

[@Sean_Farmer]

My favorite Jack win was the '86 Masters. My childhood hero, who most thought was too old to win another major, had other ideas. For me, his come from behind win is at the top of the most iconic sports wins of all time. Jim Nanz made that memorable call..."YES SIR" as Jack buried that infamous birdie on 16. But what set that up, and shows why Jack won, was at the par 5 on 15. He bogeyed the par 3 12th after making 3 birdies in a row. Jack later recalled how he started getting nervous and just wanted to put the tee shot in play, but he pulled the tee shot left, chipped on, and 2 putted. That pissed him off, so on the 13th (a par 5) he pulls a 3 wood around the corner, make short approach shot, and 2 putts for birdie. Now 2 back again he parred the 14th, but Seve eagled 13 to go two up on Tom Kite with Jack now four behind. Here's where the legend of The Golden Bear came back with a roar. Jack remembered remember saying to Jackie, "How far do you think a 3 will go here? And I don't mean a 3-iron (an eagle)." Jackie says "Let's see it", and what followed next was magical. If you weren't a gof fan back in Jack's heyday you just don't know how this rather soft spoken man could intimidated golfers. So many who knew what Jack was capable of would start shrinking as his name rose up the leader board (just like Tiger's prime). The old man turned back the clock that day and after Seve hear the crowd roar following that eagle, he being on the 15th, hit a really poor 4 iron into the water. Jack heard the crowd groan and already knew what happened. Jack took the bull by the horns to win that day. It was an emotional thing to witness and Jack calls it his favorite win because Jackie was a part of it.

[@tfinn7]

“Yes Sir” It was Verne Lundquist not Jim Nantz.

[@obxarms7685]

Jack is a national treasure.

[@lyndelf]

Happy Birthday Jack! You're spot on with players taking responsibility for their game, they're professionals, they should know by now what works for them! It's all MENTAL at this point, too much outside noise, social media keyboard warriors get in their heads, they're not as mentally strong as past generations, and some are just emotionally immature! This is why Scotty Scheffler excels because he has a good head on his shoulders and he's well centered!

[@realunitedstatesrepublic3005]

The best!

[@tom5216]

Just an aside. I bought a book by Jack on course management. It went something like, on a dogleg right, hit the ball as far as you can on the right side of the fairway to shorten the distance to the green. Great advice but what makes him think I know where the ball is going off the tee. These guys are on a totally different level. We mortals must do what we can.

[@victorkreitner754]

Imagine being 89 and still able to say you can break par in a round of golf. Player is an insane freak of nature, but he also stays in remarkable shape daily. Just proves a body in motion stays in motion. use it or lose it.

[@thomaselliott573]

It is all about what is inside. Watson, who Jack chose not to remember here, and Jack had the greatest attitudes the game has seen. No matter what happened, their cool determination and composure was rock solid. No other golfers have ever had that, including Trevino and Player.

[@AlJayWright]

He didnt choose not to remember him; the interviewer recounted an interview where Watson wasn't present. Jack simply referenced the players in that interview

[@thomaselliott573]

@@AlJayWright you are a blatant fool

[@lionheartmerrill1069]

​@@thomaselliott573 I've been around for 74 years, golfer & fan since 15. You are correct, Nicklaus & Watson had the greatest attitudes.

[@mnamhie]

You’ve had the honor of listening to the GOAT. Be well, Mr. Nicklaus.

[@Cats3141]

Great presentation

[@PaulAshton-gu4rv]

The greatest, and by some distance, his majors record is not just better, it's comfortably better.

[@winterpatriot4574]

Jack was special, he had that dawg in him. I watched a video where Tom Johnny Miller was belaboring a long put and Jack walked up and jarred it.. It was really long and had tremendous break. Anyone else it is a 1 in who knows how many attempts to make it. Jack knew the power of absolute belief.. To watch him in that moment walk up and jar that put was amazing and that is something few people have the ability to do.. I question if Rory has that level of belief.. Rory has the skill. But only the likes of Tiger had that something special like Jack..

[@formerfarmer1718]

Jack loved his family more than golf. That’s why he planned family events first and golf events second. He was away from home a minimum amount of time for tournaments. Jack was so grounded he had a life beyond golf.

[@gregorylatta8159]

Jack is the GOAT.

[@ignatiusjk]

Wouldn't it be something to see Scotty, Jack Tiger, and Arnie play in a tournament, in their prime of course.

[@spinningbackspin]

maybe Rory instead of Scotty and Hogan in place of Tiger.

[@Tblillard]

The Golden Bear. A true embassador for golf, for the fairway of life.

[@Pete-qt9bg]

Thank you, Jack, for great golf entertainment.

[@jamesp6805]

Tiger may be far and away the most talented golfer ever but Jack Nicklaus is overall the greatest golfer who has ever lived. We love you Jack and Happy birthday! You're a true gentleman and sportsman who is respected in every way by your peers.

[@thepunisher3236]

Most talented? Tiger played with new tech. Cant compare

[@thetruthfornow6045]

​@@thepunisher3236talented should mean to hit fairways like Jack. Tiger was the greatest recovery player ever. Jack and Hogan rarely had to recover.

[@thepunisher3236]

@@thetruthfornow6045 stop lol

[@thepunisher3236]

The GOAT. Data tells that story. Sorry Tiger fans

[@MichaelMaddrell]

Happy birthday Jack Nicklaus a friend of friend of Britain’s a 3 times champion 🏌️‍♀️ of the year and 18 time 🕰️ major champion. A great ambassador for golf and the world 🌍 of sport ❤🇺🇸🇬🇧⛳️

[@glen.simpson]

jack looks like he cut back on the ice cream.....he looks good...... great, lots of folks would like him around for another 10 years.

[@byronmcduffy3485]

I wish you the happiest Birthday Jack. I agree with all your comments however being 79, I have to put my two cents in. The Golf Channel pundits are questioning whats wrong with golf that viewership is down. To be blunt it has become boring, the players are so good technically and mentally, and all their equipment is tailored for them, they infrequently make mistakes = boring. If they had to play courses with blind shots, narrow and trouble everywhere with off the shelf equipment like the rest of us, watching them play would get much more exciting. Watching Jack and Arnie recover from some really nasty places ( not that they went there that often ) made the game feel like it was our own. Now if feels like its a players game, on courses designed for them, using equipment most of the rest of us will never see, let alone have.

[@michaelbush58]

Good Point Jack on responsibility. In fairness of times you learned that responsibility early and I think this is what Rory is going through. His talent and length like you puts him in the hunt but he still needs to learn to close the deal, obviously easier said than done and that takes time.

[@federationspace5264]

The best

[@CrudenBayRuss]

All you need to know about Jack: he works stroll out of his hotel at the British Open into the courtesy Jaguar … grab the keys and drive himself to the course. Respect - nothing to prove to anyone.

[@kevinpoveromo6324]

very articulate at 85

[@Herlongian]

After hitting a few thousand shots, maybe its more, I too learned how to make a correction based on my observation and feel of the bad shot. I know why I did it. In my case it was self- taught.

[@alexandermayer2026]

Golf and tennis have changed 90% for one reason - EQUIPMENT. Golf - clubs and balls. Tennis - racket and strings. In both cases the sweet spots are 4-6 times bigger. So you can swing almost wildly and not pay the price for mediocre contact. Bigger guys, shorter approach shots. At least in golf, a player has to have a short game too. In tennis, we are in the verge of serving gorillas that have little other game.

[@ltjjenkins]

I'm not the biggest tennis fan but have been waiting for the brutes to arrive.

[@alexandermayer2026]

@ they are here. 5’10” was average when I played in the Jimmy Conners era. I’d say we are at 6’2” at this point. And tons of guys over 6’6”.

[@ltjjenkins]

@@alexandermayer2026 yeah I would always follow the majors especially the US Open. In the time you reference it was must see TV. They would broadcast it during football season prime slot- Super Saturday they called it. It was awesome. They were characters and shot makers, each unique entertaining individuals. Conners Mac Ivan Boris. Then Pete and Andre certainly carried the torch. The athletic performance and physical training perfection added by Nadal and Federer was unparalleled. They all had mad skill tho. And like I said, been waiting for this. The brutes have ruined many sports.

[@toddwelch486]

These guys battling over who can have the least bass in their voice.

[@lukewalker1051]

To me, Rory who is a lovely guy, won't win any more majors. He may contend. He has been to the alter way too many times and come up short. The best players were great putters. This is the one most important ingredient Rory doesn't have. He may be one of the best ball strikers to ever play the game. He misses way too many putts and it has been in his head for years. If he could putt, he would have 5 more majors by now. All the greats could putt. Rory will go down as a very good player who can't putt. If Rory could putt like Jack or Tiger or even Scottie, or Trevino and a slew of other great putters, he would have much closer to a Tiger career. PS. There are others on the same list as Rory, some of whom will go down as better players: Ben Hogan: Tremendous ball-striker, but his putter often let him down. Tommy Armour: Known as the “Silver Scot,” his struggles on the greens overshadowed his otherwise excellent game. Sam Snead: Despite his record 82 PGA Tour victories, his putting woes were well-documented. Johnny Miller: Known for his incredible iron play, he frequently grappled with inconsistency on the green. Nick Faldo: Six-time major winner whose putting sometimes came under scrutiny.

[@ltjjenkins]

Thing is he'll have many cracks at the British Open and easily could pull a surprise. The other 3 no.

[@moonlanding-69]

There will never be multiple major winners anymore there are too many good golfers and they all try to hit it over 300 yd which is ridiculous and their second shot is behind a tree behind a cactus behind a rose bush and instead of having a full 125 yd shot they're all hitting it from 75 yards on a 385 par4. Which is much more difficult.

[@Paul-lm5gv]

He's been advocating for changes to the golf ball to rein it in for years! Today's equipment lets players hit the ball too far - and even 500 yard par-4s usually don't require more than an 7 or 8-iron for a second shot - ruining all the shot values from Nicklaus' generation! He would have had to hit a 2-iron!

[@lincolnprojectnemesis3253]

My personal opinion worthless as it is to a pro is that the biggest grift in golf are these "swing coaches".

[@JacobDaniels63]

Great so you get Nicklaus on his 85th birthday and you don’t ask him anything new ….pathetic Happy Birthday Jack ❤

[@JacobDaniels63]

@ Sterling Maiden was Bobby Jones instructor as Jack recounts it but in fact his actual name was Stewart Maiden. ( one of the few times that Jack got a name wrong) ….and yes you are right in that Jack only started counting majors at 1970 Open Championship……..the best interview he’s done in last 10 years was “I Can Fly” podcast because it’s 2 hours and he actually tells some different stories about his life

[@JacobDaniels63]

@@Mark-f9y2r are you an AI construction? Some of that doesn’t make sense

[@JacobDaniels63]

@@Mark-f9y2r you said “Jack is more self aware than in his youth”……that is a lunatic comment…along with too many references to 1980 …..so you are either an AI construction….or a lunatic

[@JacobDaniels63]

@@Mark-f9y2r lunacy is the example

[@micolsen9824]

They need to invent a pill that makes you play as well as Jack.

[@user-bluffdude]

Full on trumper, I don’t care.

[@formula2tom225]

not changed, ruined....PS Jack is the Greatest Sportsman of our time.

[@philalberts7018]

golf ain't ruined...your thinking is. Golf is better than ever and growing. Remember cupcake, best golfers in the world sh t stinks like everyone else's. The day's of sounding the royal trumpets and putting people on red carpets is over. Get used to it. you'll be a lot happier!

[@ChrisS-r6j]

JN is a narcissistic gasbag, just one degree less obnoxious than Gary Player

[@clhollow1]

Such a weird comment. Jack was nothing but positive. Complementing golfers, lamenting what they're having to deal with, giving advice. And he's the best to ever do it

[@ChrisS-r6j]

@@clhollow1 No doubt he was the one or two most successful players ever. No way to dispute that, but my comment is about him as a self-absorbed db

[@formula2tom225]

so clearly greg norman is more your type, lol

[@johndickson9542]

You seem like a jerk.

[@remoevans7847]

Jack’s legacy/character on and off the course has always spoken volumes. Some random yahoo in the YT comments section , not so much.

[@robertsandidge441]

Without a doubt THE GREATEST GOLFER OF ALL TIME. When you look at his competition and the garbage equipment he had at his disposal. Just WOW. And I want that shirt👍👍👍

[@philalberts7018]

it's like interviewing Beethoven about his music. 🥱

[@sammyjones3500]

Rory won recently. Dp world tour !