You would expect a buzz of anticipation shortly before legends Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin arrived to hit some balls on the range at Dar Es Salaam Golf Club in Morocco. What is surprising, though, is that the people clamouring for the best seats and preparing their digital cameras were current players: European Tour stars in their own right desperate to learn some tips from the masters.
Nicklaus, winner of 18 Major Championships in a glittering career, and four-time European Ryder Cup Captain Jacklin were at the Trophée Hassan II to promote golf in Morocco, and they showed the old magic never goes with an informal clinic offering an insight into how they played the game.
Among the players in the front two rows of the stand were Sweden’s Alex Noren, Englishmen Robert Rock, Steve Webster and Danny Willett and Grégory Bourdy of France. Willett even sent his caddie to fetch his camera from the clubhouse so he would not miss a minute of Nicklaus’ advice.
“I never practised before a game,” said the American. “Only after a round would I hit the range and address what I wasn’t happy with. And I was never afraid to change my game if something wasn’t going right, regardless of whether it was in the third or fourth round of The Open Championship or any other tournament.
“Before playing I’d just do about 40 minutes’ warm-up, checking the fundamentals and loosening up. If anything wasn’t feeling right I’d always check the fundamentals – my grip, my stance, my balance.”
Wearing casual loafers and a glove borrowed from his old rival Jacklin, Nicklaus, 70, smashed a couple of textbook drives which drew cheers and applause from the crowd. “You still haven’t lost it,” Jacklin joked.
The Trophée Hassan II is making its debut on The European Tour’s International Schedule this week and Nicklaus welcomes the fact golf is heading to new destinations.
“Golf is growing internationally and tournaments are being played now in Asia, Australia, Africa – all over the globe. It’s great to have an event here in Morocco, and I’m pleased to be here and be part of how the game is developing here.
“The tournament this week is great because there are players and amateurs from all over the world and it brings people together, which is what golf is all about.”
Nicklaus now spends much of his time designing golf courses around the world. “We try to make the courses manageable for the average club player but also challenging for the pros. These days the pros can hit it nine miles! Power has become a very important part of the game – in that respect it has changed dramatically – and our designs have to reflect that.”
