‘I Want to Be Great…’: When Jack Nicklaus Wanted His Younger Self to Answer Confidently to His Father Charlie

Jack Nicklaus is one of the living greats in the sport. Having won an extraordinary 18 major championships in his career, the 82-year-old stands on a podium few could fathom. After living out arguably one of the most successful golf careers, does Nicklaus yearn back to the past? He once wrote a letter to his younger self, which gave us an insight into his childhood.

Jack Nicklaus’ golf story of the $300 bill

In his extensive letter, Nicklaus went through his experiences as a young boy from Upper Arlington taking his first steps in golf. The legendary golfer learned the basics of the sport through his father, Charlie Nicklaus.

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But he took the sport on a regular basis during his time at the Scioto Country Club, which was merely two blocks away from his house. Coaching Nicklaus and many more young children would be former PGA golfer Jack Grout, who had a prominent influence on the future golfer.

In his letter to his young self, Nicklaus plays out a scene from his childhood, where his father catches him with a hefty bill. “Then one day, there’s going to be a bill in the mail. Dad will go grab it. Then he’ll yell your name in that voice… that voice is trouble, you know it. He’ll be holding a bill from Scioto. Three hundred dollars, Jack?” he wrote.

Nicklaus asks his younger self to stay firm

According to the golfer, the young Nicklaus already knows what the bill stands for. It was for his endeavors at the golf club, which would likely put him in trouble. However, the 82-year-old asks himself to endure the situation.

“You’ll say this to him. ‘Dad, you told me you wanted me to learn how to play golf….,’” for which Nicklaus’ father would question the exorbitant amount of money on range balls. The whole setup was in climax as a determined Nicklaus would answer, “I don’t just want to learn the game – I want to be great at it.”

According to Nicklaus, the steady answer will put an end to it. Furthermore, coach Grout would believe in him and exclude the range fees for Nicklaus’ sake.

The story is beautiful yet gives an insight into Nicklaus’ fierce confidence, even during his younger days.

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