Playing style

Playing style
Nicklaus was consistently among the longest and straightest hitters on the PGA Tour during his prime. This was more than evidenced by his winning the official long drive contest at the 1963 PGA Championship with a belt of 341 yards, 17 inches. This record lasted more than 20 years. He preferred the fade for his ball flight, since it allowed the ball to stop quickly on hard and fast greens. Another factor in this decision was his distance capabilities which were developed enough to allow him to play a fade and still reach long par fours and par fives in two shots. Nicklaus considers his longest drive in competition to be during the final round of the 1964 Masters on the 15th hole where he had less than 160 yards left to the 500 yard par five. He hit an eight-iron slightly over the green for his second shot.
Even though official PGA Tour statistics did not begin until 1980, Nicklaus was consistently the leader in greens hit in regulation through that year displaying great command of the long and middle irons. Indeed, Nicklaus remained in the top six of this category through 1985 ‚œ far from his best playing years. Nicklaus also finished 10th in driving distance and 13th in driving accuracy in 1980 at age 40 which equated to a "Total Driving" composite of 23 ‚œ a statistical level not attained since by a comfortable margin. Nicklaus led this category through 1982. One key to Nicklaus' ball-striking ability and overall power was his exceptional swing tempo. Of this Tom Watson referred to it as Nicklaus' greatest strength in its ability to remain smooth. This proved an asset, especially under pressure, which allowed him to sustain great distance control with his irons.
Nicklaus was also known for his course management skills. He would plan to hit each shot on the most convenient side of the fairway to aid his next shot. Nicklaus was the first player to chart and document yardages on the course. Gary Player states that Nicklaus had "the greatest mind the game has ever known".
While not a great putter, he was able to make the important putts when he needed them. He was also known as a conservative player at times, going for broke only when he needed to. This was especially apparent on the green, where he would often choose to be less aggressive and make sure of an easy two-putt. Nicklaus spoke about this in his autobiography. "I was a fine two-putter, but sometimes too defensive‚too concerned about three-putting‚to go for putts that I probably should have gone for."
Awards and recognition

Nicklaus "dotting the i" at the Ohio State Buckeyes football game against Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium on 2006-10-28. Nicklaus can be seen in red.After his first year on the PGA Tour in 1962, Nicklaus received the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award. As well as receiving the PGA Tour Player of the Year five times and topping the PGA Tour money list eight times, he has also attained the Bob Jones Award and the Payne Stewart Award, among others.
Nicklaus was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 1974 and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1995. His likeness was featured on a special commemorative issue five-pound note issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland, making him the first living person outside the Royal Family to appear on a British banknote.
There is a Jack Nicklaus Museum on the campus of The Ohio State University in his home town of Columbus, Ohio.[46] The museum was opened in 2002 and is a state-of-the-art , 24,000 square foot facility offering a comprehensive view of Nicklaus' life and career in and out of golf as well as exhibits celebrating the history and legends of the game.
Nicklaus had the rare privilege of "dotting the 'i'" of "Script Ohio", the signature formation of the Ohio State University Marching Band, at the Ohio State homecoming game on October 28, 2006 when the Buckeyes played Minnesota; this is considered the greatest honor that can be bestowed on a non-band member. Nicklaus was the fifth non-band member to receive this award. Other recipients include Bob Hope and Woody Hayes. While at Ohio State University, Nicklaus became a member of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta.
Along with Annika SĦrenstam, Nicklaus was named a Global Ambassador for the International Golf Federation in 2008 and was instrumental in bringing golf to the Olympics for the 2016 and 2020 games. Golf was last an Olympic sport at the 1904 Games in St. Louis, Mo. when the United States and Canada were the only two competing countries. The International Olympic Committee approved the inclusion by a vote of 63-27, with two abstentions.
In August 2009, Augusta National announced that Nicklaus will join Arnold Palmer as an honorary starter for the 2010 Masters. Nicklaus will become the eighth honorary starter since the tradition began in 1963 when Nicklaus won his first green jacket. It will be Palmer's fourth year to hit the ceremonial opening tee shot.
Nicklaus, through his global reach in design and development, as well as the worldwide marketing and licensing of his golf and lifestyle brand, is atop Golf Inc. magazine's coveted list of the "Most Powerful People in Golf" for a record-extending sixth consecutive year. He is the only golf industry figure who has ever been named to the No. 1 spot for more than three years. Nicklaus topped the 2009 worldwide list of 35 individuals who were selected by a panel of editors for their ability to influence and impact the business of golf, be it the development of courses and communities, the operation of courses, the equipment used by golfers, or the rules and regulations of the game. Golf Inc. wrote that while the Golden Bear's reign at No. 1 is unprecedented, "the fact is that he keeps adding to his legend, at the design table and in the business world. Despite a worldwide course development slowdown, Nicklaus's design firm has over 40 courses in development around the globe...And he remains perhaps golf's most respected spokesperson on a wide range of issues."
Career achievements
Main article: List of career achievements by Jack Nicklaus
During his career on the PGA Tour, Nicklaus accumulated 18 major championships, which is a record, and 73 PGA Tour victories, second only to Sam Snead. He also holds the outright record for the most wins at The Masters with six, and The Players Championship with three. He played on six Ryder Cup teams, captained the team twice and the Presidents Cup team four times, and topped the PGA Tour money list and scoring average eight times each. For 24 straight seasons, from 1960 to 1983 inclusive, he made at least one top ten finish in a major championship, and this is a record.