"I used to dream about my swing" - Jack Nicklaus opens up on his golf nightmares

Legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus has revealed his deepest fears and nightmares, admitting that even the greatest of the greats have moments of doubt and anxiety. In an interview, Nicklaus shared some of his most personal experiences with the sport, including dreams that have kept him up at night.

Nicklaus' First Tee Frustration

The winner of 18 major championships opened up about a recurring dream that plagued him for years. He would find himself at the first tee of a major tournament, ready to take his swing but failing to make contact with the ball. In the dream, he would swing and miss, sometimes even falling over. This frustrating scenario would repeat itself until he woke up, feeling anxious and unsettled.

“Years ago I used to dream about my swing. If I was having trouble with my swing I’d give myself lessons quite often when I slept. Then I went out the next morning and tried it and it worked and I’d put it in.”

Nicklaus thinks the dream likely stemmed from his desire to always perform at the highest level. The pressure of starting a major tournament with the eyes of the world on him was understandably daunting.

"I went to the practice range after I played, which I did most of the time, and couldn’t quite figure out what it was,” he went on to admit. “Then all of a sudden it would hit me while I was sleeping. It’s the perfect time to think. You don’t have anything else to do.”

However, he learned to manage these nerves by focusing on his routine and technique rather than the outcome of his swing.

Bathroom Breaks

The Masters - Round One

Another common golf nightmare that Nicklaus shared was the need to use the restroom during a round. In his dream, he would feel the urge to visit the bathroom while playing in a tournament but couldn't find his caddie.

“I’d know the courses, usually, and know how to get to the first tee, but I’d … have to go to the bathroom; I don’t have a ball; I couldn’t find my caddie – just so many different distractions. Not getting to the first tee is a nightmare.”

While this may sound trivial, Nicklaus explained that the mental stress of needing to use the restroom can have a significant impact on a player's performance. Jack once had to use a portable restroom during a tournament, and it completely threw off his game.

From that experience, he learned the importance of being mentally prepared and making sure to take care of any physical needs before stepping onto the course.

Overcoming Nightmares

Despite the anxiety that these dreams caused, Nicklaus was able to overcome them and become one of the greatest golfers of all time. He credits his ability to manage his nerves and stay focused as a key component of his success. He stressed the importance of mental toughness in golf, explaining that the ability to stay calm and focused under pressure is what separates good players from great ones.

Nicklaus' advice to golfers struggling with their own anxiety and nerves is to focus on their routine and technique. By having a consistent routine, players can build confidence in their abilities and reduce their chances of spiraling into negative thoughts.

Nicklaus also emphasizes the importance of practice: the more comfortable and confident a player is with their swing, the less likely they are to get caught up in anxiety or nerves during a tournament, he explains.