What Jack Nicklaus said amateur players need to do in their set-up to make golf ‘as simple as possible’

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Amateur golfers often overlook the basics, such as ball position, grip, and stance—all essential factors that impact a golf swing.

Setting up incorrectly can make it nigh-on impossible to execute the desired shot. Performing any task without the fundamentals will fail, and golf is no different.

Jack Nicklaus, arguably the greatest golfer of all time, also placed plenty of weight on the fundamentals. Nicklaus emphasised the importance of his grip and also altered his club face position in his set-up to hit specific shots.

Jack Nicklaus’ ‘simple’ golfing tip

During a coaching clip, the Golden Bear explained how opening and closing the face in his set-up allowed him to hit either draws or fades.

“If I want to play a slice or full fade. You see the club face, that’s what makes the ball fade [open]. I make exactly the same swing, and that ball hit a little bit of a slice. If I want to hit a hook, I want the club face to come in that way [closed]. Make exactly the same golf swing with the club face that way, and the ball hooks,” Nicklaus said.

“If you want to hit a shot low all we do is move the ball back in my stance, the ball goes low. If I want to get the ball up in the air and hit it higher, all I do is move the ball up and open the club face. Try to make the game as simple as possible. Use one golf swing and adjust the club face to play the shot you want to play up, down, or hook or slice.”

Nicklaus’ advice on ball position is very similar to a hint shared by Lee Trevino. The six-time major winner suggested moving the ball back in a stance can massively improve the consistency of strike.

• READ MORE: John Daly has tip for amateur players when hitting an iron shot into the green as he tells them the ‘best thing’ to do

Fade or draw – what’s better?

There’s a growing trend on the PGA Tour that has seen professionals favouring a fade rather than a draw. Typically, hitting a left-to-right shot gives the pros more control and the ability to land the ball softer on the green.

But, for amateurs, the draw is often preferred.

Typically, higher-handicap golfers miss out to the right. An over-the-top motion leads to a slice and, ultimately, an off-target shot. Therefore, promoting a draw will help eliminate the miss out to the right.

The answer to the draw vs fade debate will lie with each individual golfer. Every amateur player will have a tendency to hit a draw or fade, and the best advice is to stick with what’s natural. If you hit a fade, try and tighten it up, ensuring it remains near the target line. If a draw is your preferred option, work on removing the possibility of a snap hook.

No two golf swings are identical, so do not try and force yourself into one specific shot shape; do whatever is natural.