Nicklaus says dedication, preparation made him a legend

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Nicklaus says dedication, preparation made him a legend

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Jack Nicklaus at a press conference in Incheon yesterday. Provided by Gale International

SONGDO, Incheon ― Jack Nicklaus came here yesterday to promote the first golf course that will carry his name in Korea. The Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea, a PGA-standard 18-hole gold course that covers 7,300 yards, will open in 2009.
Nicklaus and his firm, Nicklaus Design, which is headed by his son, Jack Jr., designed the course.
Before the event, Nicklaus answered several questions from the JoongAng Daily via e-mails routed through his public relations firm:

Q. Korean golfers such as Choi Kyung-ju or Park Se-ri are doing very well in the PGA and LPGA tours in the United States. Do you know of them? If so, what do you think of their playing?
A. The Korean golfers are doing very well and are very talented. They have created a great impact on the LPGA Tour, with so many good players coming from Korea. It has also helped grow the popularity of the game in Korea. I also see K.J. Choi at the Memorial Tournament each year; he is a very good player and a good young man. He has great skill to compete against the best players in the world. Golf in Korea has exploded and the popularity of the game is increasing, which is why we see more golf course activity in Korea.

How do you think golf compares to other sports?
I grew up playing just about all sports, I was a sports nut. I loved just about anything to do with playing a sport. But I liked golf because it never relied on another person having to show up in order for me to enjoy it. You didn’t have to the throw the ball to someone else or have it thrown back to you. I could play golf whenever I wanted and as I long as I wanted. But golf also required tremendous skill, not just strength, and I liked that, too. But perhaps one of the great attributes to the game has very little to do with swinging the club or hitting the ball. It is a sport that places emphasis on tradition, etiquette and sportsmanship more than any other sport. It teaches a great deal about life, not just the game itself.

What do you consider to be the qualities of your own game that made you one of the greatest golfers in history?
Dedication to the game and preparation. My wife, Barbara, once said to me, there is no excuse for not being prepared. I prepared as best I could for a course, and I managed my game for that course and the conditions. And while I was a long hitter, I think that mental strength was perhaps more important. The ability to think your way around a golf course is important.

There are many analogies comparing golf to life in general. What is your personal philosophy of golf?
Enjoy the game and have fun. Prepare as best as you can so that you can perform when competing. But above all, I have always placed my family as a priority over the game of golf. Family is No. 1, golf is No. 2.

I know etiquette is considered very important in the sport of golf. What do you consider to be the worst faux-pas?
Anything that is disrespectful of the game and its traditions. I was brought up by my parents who taught me early on to respect the game and its traditions. I’ll never forget one time when I was just a boy and was out playing with my father. I hit a poor shot that went into a bunker, was upset, and then threw my club. My father came over to me and said, “If you ever throw another a club again, it will be the last time you play.” Well, you know what, I never threw another club. Young players need to be taught the traditions of the game and be mindful to always show good sportsmanship.

Many people think of golf as an extremely difficult sport. What tips might you offer to those who want to improve their game?
Start simple, start with the fundamentals of the grip, stance and swing. This is what I did. Make sure you find a golf teacher you like so that you can get into good habits as you develop interest in the game.

Korean golfers who play mostly on the weekends tend to focus on lengthening their drive shots. What are the keys to hitting successful long shots?
Everyone thinks the game is about power and distance these days. Maybe it is. But if you want to improve your score, you should spend more time on accuracy and the short game. Power may be impressive, but accuracy and an improved short game will improve your scoring.

Could you offer any tips or words of wisdom for those considering taking up the sport of golf?
I think you should introduce your children to all sports and find where their interest lies. That is what my father did with me. He did not push me into golf or any direction, he simply introduced me to all sports and let me find out what I liked. If you have a child who has interest in the game, try and provide some fundamental instruction in the game, basic skills that will help the young player develop good habits so if he or she develops stronger interest in the game, there will be a foundation on which to build.


By Wohn Dong-hee Staff Writer [wohn@joongang.co.kr]
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