Jack Nicklaus: Why playing golf just isn’t fun anymore 

Jack Nicklaus has not swung a golf club since teeing it up as the honorary starter at the Masters in April.

Nicklaus, 83, has taken a break from hitting golf balls ever since striking the first tee shot in his Thursday morning ceremonial role at Augusta National, alongside his fellow titans of the sport, Gary Player and Tom Watson.

And while the Golden Bear still has a desire to play again, he is understandably now reluctant.

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“I would like to go play again,” Nicklaus said while Speaking at a teaching clinic at PGA National in Florida, according to the Palm Beach Post. “I play so poorly anymore it’s just really not any fun. And I run out of golf balls.”

Nicklaus’ golf game may be waning as age catches up with him, but the 18-time major champion’s humour remains razor sharp.

“People always say they want to play how I do,” he joked. “Well, now they can. In fact, I don’t think want to play like I do.”

Nicklaus, a six-time green jacket winner, had confirmed his retirement from the traditional par-3 Masters contest before the 2022 tournament, conceding he “just can’t play anymore.”

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The World Golf Hall of Famer was helping out at the Integra Connect Golf Classic Clinic at Palm Beach Gardens to raise money for the Conquer Cancer foundation.

He giving his invaluable wisdom alongside the likes of Annika Sorenstam, Luke Donald and Ernie Els, but did not hit any shots at the fundraising event.

As well as his 18 major titles, Nicklaus won 73 PGA Tour titles across perhaps the most storied career in the men’s game.