Jack Nicklaus: On Psyche Coaching and Belly Putters
He might have retired some six years ago, the Golden Bear of the sport, Jack Nicklaus, is still one of the most sought after golfers and works his way through a busy schedule.
He is eagerly waited to confirm appointment for a dinner, or possibly just a meeting, by the likes of Keegan Bradley, Charl Schwartzel, Rory McIlroy and many other top-ranked golfers.
His timely advice may have been the elementary impetus for turning the wheels of fortune for these rampaging players, who went over to win a major title right after their rendezvous with Nicklaus.
Nicklaus joked about his Psyche Coaching techniques on Tuesday, February 28, and said, “What am I telling them? Maybe I better write it down . . . I never thought I’d be a psyche coach”.
The legendary sportsman was present at this week’s Honda Classic, doing his rounds within and around the clubhouse, chatting and shaking hands with players all over.
Nicklaus’ phenomenal advices have turned the tables for many of the players on the circuit.
McIlroy openly admitted that his meeting with Nicklaus ahead of the US Open last year, was the real reason of his mind boggling success at the Congressional.
The young Irishman went over to card a wire-to-wire, eight stroke victory, to become only the second youngest player to lift the coveted title after Bobby Jones.
Charl Schwartzel, the reigning Masters champion, admitted that he had a similar discussion with the Golden Bear, which led to his four straight birdies on the closing holes in the final round to land the title.
The South African stalked Nicklaus after that for another similar advice session right ahead of the US Open but was not as successful as his Masters’ bid.
Trevor Immelman’s story has striking similarities as the American admitted that his Masters victory, four years ago, was a direct result of Nicklaus’ advice before the final round.
Nicklaus also revealed that he met the LPGA star Jessica Korda and her father Petr right ahead of the season-opener on the LPGA.
Later, Korda was seen rising to stardom in the first event on the LPGA calendar in Australia.
Asked about his views on the use of the controversial Belly Putter on the PGA, Nicklaus, expectedly, played safe and said,
“You still got to knock it in the hole. That’s the only way I look at it. I’m not offended by it. I don’t have an issue one way or another with it”.
The season is warming up for the first major title of the year, the Masters at the revered Augusta National, Magnolia Lane. Players on both sides of the Atlantic are gearing up for a showdown at the scenic course.
Schwartzel will return to defend the title he won last year, while McIlory is all set to land the title he almost won.
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