Jack Nicklaus Swing Analysis?

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Tball88

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Brian, you once posted a swing analysis of Jack. It was a great face view and showed a young Jack and how athletic he was(not fat). I can't find this thread on the archives for some reason. If anybody knows where those pictures are or what thread, let me know. Or maybe Brian could even post a new analysis.

Anyway a friend of mine were arguing over who was stronger Tiger or Jack, I agree Tiger is extremely athletic, but I think people have forgotten how strong Jack was when he was young.
 
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Jim Kobylinski

Super Moderator
Tball88 said:
Brian, you once posted a swing analysis of Jack. It was a great face view and showed a young Jack and how athletic he was(not fat). I can't find this thread on the archives for some reason. If anybody knows where those pictures are or what thread, let me know. Or maybe Brian could even post a new analysis.

Anyway a friend of mine were arguing over who was stronger Tiger or Jack, I agree Tiger is extremely athletic, but I think people have forgotten how strong Jack was when he was young.
Click to expand...

i'm a young buck and didn't get to watch jack play in his hay day but i have seen plenty of pictures of "young jack" and he'd beat the ever living crap out of Tiger.

Jack was longer than almost everyone on tour with old balata balls and playing A FADE. Thats impressive considering how back then you had to hook the ball to get it to go far.
 
birdie_man

birdie_man

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I'd like to see those pics again too....very very powerful looking as I remember.....I was surprised to be honest.

Face on view of young Jack....B&W I believe.....
 
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Brian Manzella

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Jack vs. Tiger

I saw Jack Nicklaus hit 1000's of shots from 1970-Present. I was very young in '70 and Jack was very old in 2000 at Valhalla, but when I was about 14, and could break 80, Nicklaus was still in his scoring prime.

I've seen Tiger when he was 15 to the Present.

Just for reference sake, I saw Byron Nelson in 1977 or 78, I saw John Daly in the 1989 PGA Tour School (up close when I both caddied for and taught David Toms full-time and we were paired with him for 36 holes), I saw Johnny Miller in his prime and in his second prime. Tom Watson basically his whole career, etc, etc.

Jack would hit it further than Tiger. Was a better fairway wood player, better long and mid iron player, but ALL of those by a HAIR.

Tiger is better with the short irons, MUCH better with the wedges, LOTS better chipping and pitching, and mid-to-long putting, but Nicklaus was a slightly better short putter.

Nicklaus was beatable head-to-head (see Watson and Trevino), Woods, not as much.

But, part of Tiger's being Tiger and not just Eldrick is that NO ONE has the GUTS and GAME to match Tiger head-to-head.

Jack did.

Overall, I've give Nicklaus a slight edge on hard, tight, US OPEN style courses, and Tiger on easier courses. Tiger WILL shoot 59 someday. Nicklaus didn't have it in him, rarely going very low.

Here's my little cheat sheet list of what I saw with my OWN eyes:

Best Ball Striker (as in hitting all the shots where you are looking, hitting it pure, and scary good at times): Johnny Miller

Straightest Hitter on the range: Byron Nelson

Straightest Hitter on a golf course: Calvin Peete

Longest Hitter: John Daly

Best Driver of the ball (Long and straight): Tom Bartlett (On the PGA Tour, Sergio Garcia)

Best Fairway Woods: Hale Irwin

Best Long Irons: TIE>Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus (Nicklaus hit it higher)

Best Mid-Irons: Johnny Miller (Honorable mention: David Toms)

Best Short Irons: 3-WAY TIE>Lee Janzen, David Toms, Tiger Woods

Best Wedges: Tommy Moore

Best Short Game: Tiger Woods (Modern Era), Freddie Haas (every other era)

Best Bunker Game: Chi Chi Rodriguez (Honorable mention: Me :D)

Best Putter: Buddy Majors (On the PGA Tour Tiger Woods)

Best Putter on Poor Greens: Michael Finney (14yrs old to 18yrs old), George Airline, Maynard Garrett

Best Player: Tiger Woods (but a young Jack would have scared Eldrick to death).
 
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blehnhard

New
Long Irons

Brian - how much of the difference in height (Jack vs Tiger) would be due to the difference in the ball (balata wound vs 2 or 3 peice) vs difference in technique?

I remember hitting balls on the range at Merion at the US Open in 71. I was on the right side of the range and Jack was on the left side (at by back). There were maybe 15 other players hitting balls. Without looking, I could tell when Jack hit one - it made a different sound then everyone else's (especially mine!).

Bruce
 
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Brian Manzella

Administrator
Sonic.

I know you love Sergio's swing. Or his backswing.

But, I don't know if you have noticed, his backswing is changing and includes more of a squat with the knees and MORE left lean!

As far as who I like?

Hmmm....have to think about it.
 
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Sonic_Doom

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I know you love Sergio's swing. Or his backswing.

But, I don't know if you have noticed, his backswing is changing and includes more of a squat with the knees and MORE left lean!
Click to expand...

I don't like or dislike it per se, just surprised his swing produces length and accuracy to that extent.
 
birdie_man

birdie_man

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Brian Manzella said:
Here's my little cheat sheet list of what I saw with my OWN eyes:

Best Ball Striker (as in hitting all the shots where you are looking, hitting it pure, and scary good at times): Johnny Miller

Straightest Hitter on the range: Byron Nelson

Straightest Hitter on a golf course: Calvin Peete

Longest Hitter: John Daly

Best Driver of the ball (Long and straight): Tom Bartlett (On the PGA Tour, Sergio Garcia)

Best Fairway Woods: Hale Irwin

Best Long Irons: TIE>Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus (Nicklaus hit it higher)

Best Mid-Irons: Johnny Miller (Honorable mention: David Toms)

Best Short Irons: 3-WAY TIE>Lee Janzen, David Toms, Tiger Woods

Best Wedges: Tommy Moore

Best Short Game: Tiger Woods (Modern Era), Freddie Haas (every other era)

Best Bunker Game: Chi Chi Rodriguez (Honorable mention: Me :D)

Best Putter: Buddy Majors (On the PGA Tour Tiger Woods)

Best Putter on Poor Greens: Michael Finney (14yrs old to 18yrs old), George Airline, Maynard Garrett

Best Player: Tiger Woods (but a young Jack would have scared Eldrick to death).
Click to expand...

1. WHO is Buddy Majors??? Better putter than Eldrick?? Reallllly?????

One of these guys I guess eh?:

Brian Manzella said:
How can Aim be an imperative?

Three of the best putters I ever saw, aim left on purpose!
Click to expand...

2. Merry Mex didn't make the list?

-PAUL
 
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Robbohank

New
List

Brian Manzella said:
I saw Jack Nicklaus hit 1000's of shots from 1970-Present. I was very young in '70 and Jack was very old in 2000 at Valhalla, but when I was about 14, and could break 80, Nicklaus was still in his scoring prime.

I've seen Tiger when he was 15 to the Present.

Just for reference sake, I saw Byron Nelson in 1977 or 78, I saw John Daly in the 1989 PGA Tour School (up close when I both caddied for and taught David Toms full-time and we were paired with him for 36 holes), I saw Johnny Miller in his prime and in his second prime. Tom Watson basically his whole career, etc, etc.

Jack would hit it further than Tiger. Was a better fairway wood player, better long and mid iron player, but ALL of those by a HAIR.

Tiger is better with the short irons, MUCH better with the wedges, LOTS better chipping and pitching, and mid-to-long putting, but Nicklaus was a slightly better short putter.

Nicklaus was beatable head-to-head (see Watson and Trevino), Woods, not as much.

But, part of Tiger's being Tiger and not just Eldrick is that NO ONE has the GUTS and GAME to match Tiger head-to-head.

Jack did.

Overall, I've give Nicklaus a slight edge on hard, tight, US OPEN style courses, and Tiger on easier courses. Tiger WILL shoot 59 someday. Nicklaus didn't have it in him, rarely going very low.

Here's my little cheat sheet list of what I saw with my OWN eyes:

Best Ball Striker (as in hitting all the shots where you are looking, hitting it pure, and scary good at times): Johnny Miller

Straightest Hitter on the range: Byron Nelson

Straightest Hitter on a golf course: Calvin Peete

Longest Hitter: John Daly

Best Driver of the ball (Long and straight): Tom Bartlett (On the PGA Tour, Sergio Garcia)

Best Fairway Woods: Hale Irwin

Best Long Irons: TIE>Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus (Nicklaus hit it higher)

Best Mid-Irons: Johnny Miller (Honorable mention: David Toms)

Best Short Irons: 3-WAY TIE>Lee Janzen, David Toms, Tiger Woods

Best Wedges: Tommy Moore

Best Short Game: Tiger Woods (Modern Era), Freddie Haas (every other era)

Best Bunker Game: Chi Chi Rodriguez (Honorable mention: Me :D)

Best Putter: Buddy Majors (On the PGA Tour Tiger Woods)

Best Putter on Poor Greens: Michael Finney (14yrs old to 18yrs old), George Airline, Maynard Garrett

Best Player: Tiger Woods (but a young Jack would have scared Eldrick to death).
Click to expand...


Brian,

Great list and a nice set of categories/rankings/comparisons by someone who's seen these guys in action.

Robbo
 
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Brian Manzella

Administrator
Buddy Majors.

Won the New Orleans City Championship 8 times. Hit it very short, weird swing.

When I played behind him, I never remember him lining up a second putt, just putt and then go get it out of the hole.

He moved to Houston years ago, and probably terorized that City until he got too old.

Lee Trevino, best ball striker not named Miller.

Eldrick vs. Buddy Majors....hmmm...I'll call Big Don...

...ringing....

"My Boy."

Brian: "Donald, could Buddy Majors putt as well as Tiger"?

Donald: "I'd have to think so. Buddy was a phenom, and that was on old Bermuda greens, Tiger would vomit putting on them.

When he played in the City Championship years and years ago, he made a 20fter on 1, 30fter on 2, 15 fter on 3, 40fter on 4, 8 fter on 5, 25 fter on 6... no matter where on the green he was...he was 10up after 18 holes."
 
birdie_man

birdie_man

New
Brian Manzella said:
Won the New Orleans City Championship 8 times. Hit it very short, weird swing.

When I played behind him, I never remember him lining up a second putt, just putt and then go get it out of the hole.

He moved to Houston years ago, and probably terorized that City until he got too old.

Lee Trevino, best ball striker not named Miller.

Eldrick vs. Buddy Majors....hmmm...I'll call Big Don...

...ringing....

"My Boy."

Brian: "Donald, could Buddy Majors putt as well as Tiger"?

Donald: "I'd have to think so. Buddy was a phenom, and that was on old Bermuda greens, Tiger would vomit putting on them.

When he played in the City Championship years and years ago, he made a 20fter on 1, 30fter on 2, 15 fter on 3, 40fter on 4, 8 fter on 5, 25 fter on 6... no matter where on the green he was...he was 10up after 18 holes."
Click to expand...

How do you figure someone could putt so consistently not lining it up much......? They (whoever "they" are) say your brain knows a lot on it's own (without extra thought)...

...

.....or maybe he'd just hit his first putt real close?? ;)

This one of the guys who aimed left?
 
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