“MY ABILITY DID NOT HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT”: JACK NICKLAUS’ LESSON TEE, INSCRIBED BY HIM
NICKLAUS, Jack and BOWDEN, Ken. Jack Nicklaus’ Lesson Tee… Illustrated by Jim McQueen. (Norwalk, Connecticut): Golf Digest, (1977). Tall, slim quarto, original red cloth, original dust jacket.
First edition of this compilation of Nicklaus’ 45 instructional articles from Golf Digest—“its readers’ favorite and most avidly read articles,” illustrated by famous sports illustrator and scratch golfer, Jim McQueen, inscribed, “To John, I hope you enjoy my book. My Best Always, Jack Nicklaus, 1977.”
“Considered by many the greatest amateur golfer since Bobby Jones… Jack Nicklaus won the Masters six times and the U.S. Open four times, the British Open three times and the PGA Championship five times” (Columbia University Press). In this complete collection of Golf Digest articles, illustrated by Jim McQueen, Nicklaus shares that “My ability did not happen by accident… I’ve always wanted to know precisely what caused the good shots, just as much as I’ve wanted to know what caused the bad shots. This pursuit of basic cause-and-effect knowledge has stayed with me over the years.” “Freelance sports illustrator, Jim McQueen has brought to life some of sports history’s greatest moments. As a photo-realist illustrator, Jim’s work has been recognized around the world… He served as the senior illustrator for Golf Digest for 30 years, Golf magazine for 10 years, Tennis magazine for 13 years and the Majors of Golf magazine for eight years… Jack Nicklaus and Jim McQueen’s longtime friendship dates back to 1966, when Nicklaus had his manager, Mark McCormick, contact McQueen about the opportunity to write and illustrate Nicklaus’ syndicated newspaper columns” (Jim McQueen Art). Donovan & Murdoch 64990.
Inscription crisp and bold. Considerable edge-wear to scarce original price-clipped dust jacket. A near-fine inscribed copy.