Jack Nicklaus’ swing key for long belt drives down the fairway

Golf instruction is always evolving, but the best tips stand the test of time. In GOLF.com’s new series, Lifetime Tips, we’re highlighting some of the greatest advice that teachers and players have shared in the pages of GOLF Magazine. Today, we review a power tip from Jack Nicklaus from our April 1968 issue. For unlimited access to GOLF Magazine’s complete digital archive, join Inside GOLF tODAY; you’ll enjoy $140 worth of value for just $39.99 per year.

Turn it off it is an irreplaceable skill in golf. When you can hit the ball longer than your competitors, you are at an immediate advantage.

This fact has been true for as long as golf has been played. An example? Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus.

While it is true that Nicklaus could do it everything even on the course, one of his greatest abilities early in his career was his power off the tee. When he arrived on the scene in the 1960s, he played golf in a way few had ever seen before.

Nicklaus’ dynamic power was a big factor in establishing him as a nearly unstoppable force in the ’60s and ’70s. During those two decades, the Golden Bear won 15 of his 18 career majors — and it all started with his prolific ability.

In 1968, GOLF magazine highlighted the keys to Nicklaus’ power, which you can read below.

Jack’s power switch

Jack Nicklaus is one of the best players anywhere at any shot you care to name, though his versatility is sometimes almost forgotten. Ask a fan to describe Nicklaus’ game in one word, and whenever that word comes back loud and clear – power.

That’s because no one consistently hits the ball farther than Jack, and that’s why he’s known as the longest hitter in golf today. Although he is a big fellow, standing 5 feet 11 inches and weighing over 200 pounds, the secret to Nicklaus’ height lies more in his great swing, perfect timing, and the tremendous power generated by his hips and legs. . A study of the Nicklaus swing is truly a study of power – but also a study of correct action and full use of the body for the best possible performance.

Jack uses an upright stance and starts his swing with a big roll of the shoulders and hips. On the rebound, he leaves the left side very early, with perfect timing, to release massive power in his body.

Coming into the ball, Jack drives his right elbow hard to the right side, delaying breaking the wrist until the hands have reached hip level. A major source of strength is in the knees, and especially the right knee. His entire lower body—hips, knees, and feet—all work together to generate power and a fluid swing, but the knees serve as the focal point or coordinator of the swing.

Looking at Nicklaus’ swing, you can see that as the club swings, the left knee turns to the right and the right knee becomes the critical part of the entire swing. It is locked into position throughout the swing, as it should be, and the knee then acts as a brace around which the body wraps.

This consistency helps build power and also makes it impossible to swing the ball, thereby losing power.

Nicklaus’ power is released by driving off the right leg, causing the hips, knee and legs to all drive forward, into and through the swing. The right knee turns directly toward the target after the kick and after the kick, and thus pushes the whole body and all its power in the direction the ball is hit.

It’s the Nicklaus method—one with proven success in both distance and accuracy—and it certainly involves a lot more than simple brute force.