Jack Nicklaus (1963) Golf Swing Analysis
Man, how far do you think Nicklaus would have been hitting it with this swing (circa 1963) and today’s technology? I’m guessing he would be Bubba Watson long, but infinitely more controlled. The most interesting thing here is Nicklaus’s backswing. Definitely not what is taught to young prodigies today: too much leg and hip movement (how about that left heel lift?), shaft inside, club across the line at the top. But what the hell, it worked better than anything anyone else was doing, and became the model for a generation of wannabe players. I still can’t get over the size of those thighs.
Tags: Jack, Nicklaus, 1963, Swing, analysis, Golf
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Hi Wayne DeFrancesco? did you record the whole match snead vs. nicklaus? would be great if someone could upload it….regards tim
@paulski5 On plane would be where the shaft extended looked at the inside of the ball. Nicklaus is crossed because he is short of parallel to the ground and his club is pointed down the target line. If he continued his swing the club would point well right of the target. Laid off would be the opposite.
@geesecougar2 Jamie Sadlowski at 5′11 165ish is the 2-time? (back to back) World Long Drive champ.
Doesn’t guarantee anything…but if he can be long so can Jack.
@geesecougar2 Jamie Sadlowski at 5′11 165ish is the 2-time (back to back) World Long Drive champ.
Doesn’t guarantee anything…but if he can be long so can Jack.
I’m not sure why you defined him as across the line in that shot? In relation to the plane line you drew? To me he looks about “on-line”…though this swing is also short of parallel. Do you prefer a “laid-off” top of backswing? (ala Haney)
isnt this golf swing more suitable for people who are less flexible/ shorter in height and have a more stocky build?
is it possible that jack started the swing with his hips ala john redman/azinger?
The early Jack swing is just a great athletic move at the ball. You can’t teach someone to hit the ball with that type of motion. He was reportedly quite a good athlete as a kid despite his somewhat chunky build. He obviously has great hand speed that’s for sure.
@vsp3589 Talent
How did he get away with lifting that left heel and his foot sliding all over the place?
@JTPxxx unfortunately, it is not that simple. One obvious difference is the golf club, which is likely to be heavier and thus slower moving than todays technology. This perhaps could be estimated. Shaft length differences could be corrected for.
@JTPxxx good idea. I wonder who could do that
It’s a simple argument. Club head speed creates distance. Bubba Watson swings up over 130 mph, tiger too. Be interesting to see someone computer analyze a video and have Jack’s estimated club head speed.
@geesecougar2 Nicklaus won the Masters at 46 and then 8 Senior majors (I think). Certainly that would have to qualify as a long and successful career. Golf is harder on the body than most people think. I am not surprised that a player who played at a high level for as long as Nicklaus has hip and back problems. I think it’s the nature of the sport, not his swing.
Not sure if he would be quite as long as Bubba since Bubba’s a lot taller, has longer limbs, and is more flexible, but Jack would not be far behind and certainly would be longer than Tiger. But how much of this swing do you think had to do with Jack needing to get an artificial hip? Is this a swing that is not best suited for longevity?
Brilliant analysis.
I would imagine its practically impossible to teach someone to swing like Nicklaus.
As far as i’m aware back in 63 they didn’t use video technology to analyse their swings as they do today, meaning all of Jack’s compensations were natural. I’m pretty sure he wasn’t conscious of what he was doing with the club/shaft/planes. It was more a result of his subconscious working it out for him, thoughts?
Thanks Wayne. I’ve loved your analysis of different swings, but I was curious to see how you would handle Jack’s swing since he doesn’t do so many of the things you emphasize in other videos. No drop of the head, no return to the original hand position, hips don’t remain in the box like Hogan/Tiger, ect,. You still, though, managed to point out some great stuff with Nicklaus…Quite frankly based on some of the positions he gets into I’m surprised he could make contact let alone be the best.
was that watcher who requested me?