Jack Nicklaus divulges divine secrets of Amen Corner

JACK Nicklaus's response to the bombardment of questions from deferential rookies at the US Masters has been to scribble down a list of the six most important shots to be struck at Augusta National. His compilation serves two important purposes: it provides an education for greenhorns while also shutting them up.

According to Nicklaus, a man has to nail his tee shot on the par-five second hole; he has to nail his approach to the 11th green (Amen Corner); his tee shot on the par-three 12th (Amen Corner); his tee shot on the par-five 13th (Amen Corner); his second shot to the 13th (Amen Corner); and finally, a man has to nail his approach or lay-up to the par-five 15th green.

Nicklaus’s focus is on a great conglomeration of holes. Or as he calls them: “A great conglomeration of circumstances.”

Tread carefully around Amen Corner. Aim for the fat of the green. Swallow your pride if you have to.

“Why put yourself out of the tournament on one shot?” Nicklaus says. “That’s the thing I stress if someone wants to ask me about the course. I wouldn't take risks unless it was necessary to take risks. These younger guys that come to me, basically what I tell them is there’s a half-dozen shots on this golf course where you can put yourself out of the tournament.

“Think about what you're doing on them. If you’ve got a 50-50 chance of doing it, certainly I wouldn’t be doing it. If you've got a 90-10 chance, think real hard about it, and try to make sure you eliminate the 10. It’s a golf course where if you make a mistake, it’s really difficult to make up for.”

“Good, Jack’s a far better man than the whoremonger.”

So was Babe Ruth, since we’re judging other people today.

Jason Gay had a good column (rare for him) in the WSJ about Woods. Golf is hard. He’s still winning, but is injured.

He’s 38, and probably has about 10 more years in him - 40 majors.

I am in awe of what Nicklaus, Palmer, Player, Snead, Hogan, and Woods have done in golf. It’s a wonderful game.

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