Jack Nicklaus named golf’s two greatest ball-strikers of all-time in 2000 interview

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Having made his PGA Tour debut in 1958, Jack Nicklaus is arguably better-equipped than almost anybody else when it comes to comparing the greatest golfers of all-time.

Jack Nicklaus was emerging as the likes of Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson were coming towards the end of their primes – Nelson largely retired from the game after 1946. The Golden Bear would then spend the majority of his career duelling with the likes of Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Tom Watson.

And of course, just as Nicklaus was winding down on his career, Tiger Woods was coming through; threatening to be the man to catch his record of 18 major titles.

Woods’ potential was already clear to see by the time Nicklaus spoke to Golf Digest in 2000.

Jack Nicklaus named golf’s two greatest ball-strikers of all-time

Nevertheless, when asked to pick his ultimate golfer made up of the best attributes of the greatest of all-time, Nicklaus left Woods out. However, it is hard to argue with a number of his picks – including the greatest ball-strikers the game has ever seen.

He said: “For ball-striking, I would have Hogan and Trevino. My putters would be Palmer and Watson. Best driver, Arnold and Greg Norman. Best iron player, Hogan. Best bunker player, Player. Best chipper, Watson. Most imaginative, Seve Ballesteros. You notice how all those players were ones who won a lot of majors?”

How many majors each of Nicklaus’ picks won

Hogan was undoubtedly a game-changer, setting the standard for what are widely considered to be the fundamentals of the golf swing. And what is remarkable is that Hogan won another six majors after a car accident which very nearly ended his life, let alone his career.

Lee Trevino meanwhile, is one of the greatest players never to win the Masters, with two wins coming at each of the other three majors across his career. He was, for some time, one of Nicklaus’ greatest rivals, and certainly, one of golf’s most endearing entertainers.

What is fascinating is that neither Nicklaus or Woods feature in the answer. Woods was just starting arguably the greatest season of all-time in 2000, and clearly, Nicklaus did not want to put himself in the mix. But it is probably not an exaggeration to say that every other golf fan on the planet would find at least one way to include both men on the list.