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Jack Nicklaus once questioned whether Gary Player would thrive in the modern game

Originally posted on HITC | By Jordan Harris | Last updated Feb 20, 2026 3:38 PM ET

While Gary Player has never been short on confidence, Jack Nicklaus once questioned how well the South African legend would stack up against today’s players.

There is no doubting Player’s place among the greats of the game. He captured nine major titles and added another nine on the senior circuit later in his career.

Player is one of just six golfers to complete the Career Grand Slam. He even went as far as to rank himself third all-time, behind only Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

It is always a challenge comparing players from different generations, with advancements in equipment and changes across the sport. Today’s PGA Tour also boasts incredible depth compared to previous eras.

Jack Nicklaus once questioned whether Gary Player would thrive in today’s game

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Nicklaus probably has a better sense than most of how his peers might have handled the modern era. And when it comes to Player, he has not always sounded convinced that the game suits him as well as it did back then.

Back in 2008, ‘The Golden Bear’ spoke to Golf Digest and suggested that the South African legend might not have found the same level of success if he were coming up today.

“The pro game used to be 80 percent shotmaking and about 20 percent power. There were certain courses where power was a bigger factor, when the rough was down or the fairways were wide, and I absolutely tried to take advantage of it, because I had that element. I remember one round in New Orleans I drove the ball on the green of three par fours. I used power when it was prudent, and I could switch gears in the middle of a round.

“But from what I see, the pro game has switched to where it’s about 80 percent power and 20 percent shotmaking. Today, a Gary Player, a Ben Hogan, as talented as they were but with smaller statures, would have much less of a chance of being the best in the world.”

How Gary Player’s driving distance compared to Nicklaus and Palmer

Player’s remarkable talent is evident in his career, particularly his international record, which no one can match.

His game was never built around power. According to Golf Monthly, Player once mentioned in an interview that he always expected to be the first to hit into the green when paired with Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.

Palmer typically drove the ball between 265 and 270 yards, so it is fair to assume Player’s drives were consistently shorter than that range.

Nicklaus recognised early on how much more important distance was becoming in the game. But you would expect someone like the South African star – who always adapted – would have found a way to adjust if he needed to.

He mastered the game as it was played in his time, and the best players tend to find ways to succeed, no matter when they play.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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