It’s no easy feat to have a full-fledged professional golf career. You need to be damn good to be able to sustain the expenses and everything while trying to find success. And doing so while taking care of a big family is even more challenging. Imagine how Jack Nicklaus managed to overcome both the challenges and succeed in all aspects of his life! Many say Tiger Woods is the GOAT in golf but one of the fans pointed out during the Nicklaus and Woods debate that what the 18x major champion has achieved throughout his life is something even the 82x PGAT winner can’t overcome.
Jack Nicklaus has managed to dominate the course while also building a beautiful home for his family. The GOAT’s 18x major wins seem nothing compared to the commitment he needed to take care of five children and 24 grandchildren over the years. Now, the four days at Augusta National might seem like child’s play compared to that! And his efforts seem to have opened the gateway for other top golfers to go all in on both sides of their lives.
That was the topic of discussion when Jack Nicklaus, Jordan Spieth, and Smylie Kaufman had a conversation recently. As posted by the Golf Channel on Instagram, the trio talked about what it’s like to have a professional career in golf and a family at home to take care of. The caption read, “Jack Nicklaus and Jordan Spieth joined Happy Hour to discuss what it’s meant to their careers having family with them on the PGA TOUR. @michelobultra,” as Kaufman questioned Nicklaus about his family.
Confirming that he has 5 kids, 24 grandkids, and an 8th great-grandchild on the way, Kaufman asked, “How were you able to focus on golf and winning golf tournaments with the big family?” The GOAT immediately responded; “Well, I was blessed with Barbara Nicklaus. And Barbara was fantastic. She still is fantastic. She made sure that I knew my kids. She made sure that when it was appropriate, she brought them to the tournament and it was easy for me. She made it easy.” Despite all that he has achieved, Nicklaus still admits that he wouldn’t have been where he is without his wife, Barbara.
Shifting to Spieth who already has two kids and a third on the way, Kaufman asked, “For you, Annie is such a key piece. To be able to, for you, to just focus on your golf. It takes so many people for a ‘Jordan Spieth’ to go out there and play golf. How crucial is it to have that family support?” Spieth is also a big-time family man as his commitment to his wife and kids is unwavering. After all, he is the same man who calls his entry into fatherhood as the “most rewarding work that there is.”
Spieth mentioned how he took inspiration from the GOAT as he said, “Looking at the way the Nicklaus’ did it too where they were hands-on… They were very involved with their kids… I mean, being a dad is the coolest thing, as you know, Smylie. I hear being a grandfather might even be better,” he said as he teased Nicklaus a bit. The 73x PGA Tour winner also chipped in confirming that it gets easier as a grandfather.
The 31-year-old continued, “They’re young and they’re being shaped so much in these first few years. It’s really fun. And honestly, because of guys like Jack paving the way, we’re actually able to travel with our families more than they may have been able to back in the day. We’re very lucky because of that. Very blessed. We take home on the road and it’s a growing family.” Seems that Spieth is really grateful for how legends like Nicklaus showed them the way to manage a big family and a professional golf career at the same time.
It was just last year when his son Sammy was spotted at the US Open with his mom on Father’s Day. He had a cute cap on while he was sitting in a stroller beside his mom as his dad approached him in the middle of the game to check on his. Talk about a wholesome family moment!
Interestingly, this is not the first time Jordan Spieth has shown how committed he is to his family. He had talked about the same a few weeks back when being questioned about playing in TGL. Let’s see what he said.
Inspired by Jack Nicklaus, Jordan Spieth prioritizes family over Tiger Woods’ TGL
Back in February 2025, Jordan Spieth was questioned about the possibility of participating in Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy‘s TGL. In the episode of the Smylie Kaufman show, Spieth admitted that he believes TGL is something that he finds interesting. However, as the indoor golf league is based in Florida, the 13x PGA Tour winner couldn’t commit the time required to be a part of the tournament. He said that his priorities lay with his family and he has to be home every weekend to spend time with them. Hence, it’s impossible for Woods & McIlroy to convince him to join TGL.
However, he admitted that if TGL grows in the future and moves to multiple locations, he would be holding the flag up representing a team from Dallas. Considering how Tiger Woods’ indoor league has succeeded in its first season, TGL might expand to other locations. Hence, fans might see Jordan Spieth & Co. play in TGL from Dallas in the near future.
With the Masters Tournament just around the corner, do you think you will see Jordan Spieth’s family at the Augusta National cheering him on? Let us know in the comments section.
The post Jordan Spieth Credits “Hands-On” Jack Nicklaus for Crucial Lesson as 3x Major Champ’s Family Set to Grow Bigger appeared first on EssentiallySports.
