“We have some wonderful pictures of the two of us holding up trophies, and I think those are the most appropriate we have because we’ve really achieved victories as a team.” So wrote Jack Nicklaus in his autobiography, in a chapter dedicated to his wife, Barbara. How crucial was the ‘First Lady of Golf’ to her husband’s success? If you asked the man himself, Nicklaus would perhaps say Barbara was the most important part of his success story.

That won’t be an exaggeration.

We are not talking about Barbara walking with her husband, cheering from outside the ropes, or tucking a sandwich or two for snacks on the green. Or even the fact that Barbara chose to suffer alone during her miscarriage because she wanted Nicklaus to have a good night’s sleep before the final round. All that was there. But there was something more.

It might sound preposterous now, but Jack Nicklaus wasn’t immune from criticism either. Of course, there were jeers from Arnold Palmer fans when he regularly competed against the King and bested him. But there was media criticism too. About his game, about his appearance. Nicklaus had to battle all that. But for today’s golfers, add to that the curtain of fire that flies in their way via social media.

Speaking in the 5 Clubs Podcast, Jack Nicklaus said, “I think it (social media) can be a pretty big distraction.” Now, while he didn’t have to face that problem, there were negative articles in print. But guess what? More often than not, the Hall of Famer never got to see them. Because Barbara made sure it never reached her husband. 

Jack Nicklaus added in the 5 Clubs Podcast, “Occasionally there would be somebody (who) would write an article that wasn’t favorable. I’d never see it. Barbara would take it (and) throw it in the trashcan before I got a chance to see it. I never knew that stuff.” That’s one reason why the 18-time major winner was in a positive headspace.

Obviously, the golfers or the WAGs don’t have that leverage or leeway now. It’s an open world and there is probably nothing – criticisms and trolling – that passes unnoticed by pro golfers (ask Lexi Thompson). Nicklaus added, “I think it’s very very difficult, I think social media makes… it makes the game more difficult for them.”

Coming back to Jack and Barbara – they have been married for 65 years now – the couple tied the knot while both were still in college. Despite not having much in common initially they stayed true to each other. The impact of that relationship on his career is best described by Jack Nicklaus only. 

Jack Nicklaus’s poetic words for Barbara

Jack Nicklaus hosts the Memorial Tournament every year – a notable stop in the Tour’s schedule that draws big names and eyeballs. Last year, the veteran golfer, who celebrated his 85th birthday on January 21, announced that the 2025 iteration will be dedicated to his wife. It was the 50th anniversary of the tournament, and Nicklaus wanted to honor the special person in his life.

But he said Barbara’s contribution is best described by his words only. “If your partner in life is also your best friend, it’s truly invaluable. I shudder to think about where I would be today, what I might have missed, how less fulfilling my life would have been were Barbara not with me every step of the way.”

You can say those words were lifted straight out of a Pablo Neruda poem. There is not much argument against that, but in truth, these come out of Nicklaus’s autobiography. Yes, from the chapter on his wife. Nicklaus went on to add, “Because of her patience, love, and support, combined with her intelligence and strength of character, Barbara has been a bigger contributor to my golf career than the world will ever know.”

Well, that says everything you need to know about ‘Jack and Barbara.’ And, that’s also the reason why she is called the ‘First Lady of Golf.’