Jack on Tiger's Design Work: "At this point in time, [he] wouldn't know anything about design."

by Ryan Ballengee on Mar 10, 2009 12:46 PM EDT

Jack Nicklaus speaks with Golf Digest's Matt Ginella about his design business, the current economy's impact, and other topics. Among the other topics is Tiger Woods' design work. One of Jack's answers does not come across well.

Have you had the chance to talk design with Tiger?
No. I wouldn't think so. Tiger, at this point in time, wouldn't know anything about design. He knows how to play golf and he knows what a golf course looks like. But it was no different than when I was his age and starting out -- I wouldn't know anything about design. If he decides to get involved he'll learn. He's a smart kid and it depends on how much he wants to get involved. He won't know how to do it, but he'll learn. It will take him seven or eight golf courses before he'll learn enough before he'll really be able to talk about it intelligently.

The answer Jack gives sounds condescending toward Tiger. I don't think that Tiger knows nothing of design because he has a decent idea of what fits his eye. To know that in detail is to know course design, to an extent. Still, the actual process of building a course is something that Tiger is learning and experiencing now in Dubai, Mexico, and North Carolina. Jack's right that it will take Tiger time to figure out how to do it all. Arguably, Jack is almost 300 courses in and still learning as he is working on terrain in 27 new countries right now.

The other topics that Nicklaus covers are fairly interesting, though some are total fluff. Nicklaus details the distinction between a Nicklaus Signature Course and a Nicklaus Design course. He admits that when he was playing golf that he did not give as much attention to course design - example, Mission Hills in China - as he has since his playing days have ended. Seems pretty logical.

Overall, it's a pretty good interview to see what Jack is up to and how he is clearly more interested in fly fishing these days. I think Tiger may have learned to find ways to avoid golf during his career so as to avoid the kind of burn out with the game that so many great players have experienced after their best years are done.

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good article

for some reason when i read his interviews or see him on tv he seems a bit condescending about everything. but i guess if you’re jack nicklaus you can sound however you want.

by wiggitywhales on Mar 10, 2009 3:39 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I have noticed that he feels that way on almost any topic. It’s funny because someone can say Jack is totally on when he rails about the golf ball, but be mad when he talks in the same style about golf course design.

by Ryan Ballengee on Mar 10, 2009 3:54 PM EDT reply actions

“condescending” may be the wrong word. aside from the bad grammar, it sounds like an older man talking about the latest whipper-snapper coming along. If anybody would know about crap golf courses by a young designer, it would be Nicklaus. His early designs were pretty much a series of right turns – a fader/slicer’s paradise. at his age, it’s a good idea to “give the old guy a break.” Nicklaus can be an arrogant cuss, but he has a lot of respect for Tiger Woods’ skills – and he knows that there is a lot to learn about designing golf courses. he might have been a little harsh with his answer – but that shouldn’t surprise anybody.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Mar 10, 2009 8:40 PM EDT reply actions