Jack Nicklaus Posts Letter From 56 Years Ago When He Turned Pro

The Golden Bear released the letter he sent to the USGA Executive Director in 1961

The Golden Bear posted a letter on social media from when he turned professional 56 years ago

Jack Nicklaus Posts Letter From 56 Years Ago When He Turned Pro

Jack Nicklaus tweeted an image of the letter with the caption, "One of the toughest decisions I had to make as a young man was turning pro 56 years ago. Looking back, I can't imagine it any other way."

It was definitely worth it, as the Golden Bear's net worth is estimated at $320m.

He won 18 majors, more than any other man in history, as well as 73 PGA Tour titles, 117 pro wins and a Lifetime Achievement award from the PGA Tour.

In Nicklaus' letter from 7th November 1961 he wrote to Joseph Dey Jr, the Executive Director of the USGA.

He said there were "several benefits" to turning pro but regretted not being about to defend the USGA Amateur title.

Read the letter in full below:

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What a great letter, thanks to Jack for sharing.

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV