‘I Would Hit and…’: Jack Nicklaus Once Revealed the Intense Diet Plan He Followed To Change His ‘Fat Jack’ Image

Before the PGA Tour veteran Jack Nicklaus got his nickname, ‘Golden Bear,’ everyone in the golf community used to call him ‘Fat Jack.’ As one can figure out from the name itself, the golfer got the name from his friends, colleague, and fans because of his physique. Nonetheless, Nicklaus didn’t find his nickname adorable like many wanted him to and worked hard to change it by following a unique diet plan. 

According to a 2013 article on beaconjournal.com, the 18-time major champion realized the impact of maintaining a fit body after getting tired while playing 36 holes during the 1969 Ryder Cup. The golfer revealed that he weighed 210 pounds at the time and decided to lose weight on the plane ride back home. 

The routine diet Jack Nicklaus followed to cut his weight down

Jack Nicklaus founded and has since been hosting the Memorial Tournament. And he reminisced about his fat loss journey during the press conference before the 2013 edition of the event. According to the golfer, he told his wife, Barabara, on the plane ride from the 1969 Ryder Cup to home that he plans to lose 20 pounds. 

“A friend of mine had just used the Weight Watchers diet. I said, ‘Let me try your diet,'” Nicklaus explained how he ended up following the Weight Watchers diet to lose weight. Furthermore, he described what his routine had been since he started following the WW diet. 

“I put on my shorts and a pair of golf shoes and went to the golf course with four or five clubs,” the Memorial Tournament host added. “I would hit and run around the golf course.” 

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Following the Weight Watchers diet not only helps in shedding weight but focuses on inspiring healthy living and improving overall well-being. And according to health.usnews.com, no food is off limits for the WW diet followers. All they have to do is to eat healthily and follow the routine personalized for themselves. 

Did the diet work on the 18-time major champion?

Playing 18 holes in one and a half hour is no joke. But that is what the veteran golfer did to shed his weight more than five decades ago. Like the sound of it, the routine was tough. However, the determined Nicklaus stuck to it and found results in no time. 

“I lost 15 pounds in two weeks,” the 18-time major champion proudly revealed through the 2013 press meet. “I actually ended up losing another five,” he added,  I went from 210 to 185.” 

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Nicklaus loved playing golf, and he didn’t want his not-so-fit body to get in the way of his passion as he realized playing just 36 holes tires him out. Hence, he religiously followed the WW diet and achieved his targeted weight in no time.