Jack Nicklaus nickname, explained: How 'The Golden Bear' became go-to name for golf legend

Jack Nicklaus nickname, explained: How 'The Golden Bear' became go-to name for golf legend originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Jack Nicklaus remains one of the greatest golfers of all time.

He still holds the record for most golf major wins with 18, leading Tiger Woods in second place with 15. Nicklaus is 86 years old and has retired from professional golf, but still occasionally plays. While he is known for his playing career, he has created a lore about himself, taking on the identity of "The Golden Bear."

Nicklaus was given the nickname at the start of his career, but turned it into an entire industry with a logo, clubs and an apparel line. It helps that the veteran golfer keeps making highlight-reel putts, like the one at the 2016 Senior PGA Championship, which fans will remember from his famous lead-in, "want me to show you how to putt it?"

Here is more on how Nicklaus got his nickname as "The Golden Bear."

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Jack Nicklaus nickname

Nicklaus has long been nicknamed "The Golden Bear." Some may think that maybe he got the nickname because he attended the University of California, whose mascot is the Golden Bears. That is not the case, because while Nicklaus never finished college, he did attend Ohio State University. The nickname's origins date back to the start of his professional career.

Why is Jack Nicklaus called 'The Golden Bear'?

He said in an interview that the nickname came from an article from Australia. A journalist named Don Lawrence wrote an article there about what is up-and-coming in golf. In Lawrence's article, he wrote about Nicklaus's debut on the pro circuit and called him "The Golden Bear."

When discussing a clothing deal at the start of his career, he knew he needed a logo. Nicklaus thought back to the article and said that it was pretty fitting because in high school, he was a member of the Upper Arlington Golden Bears. He said he thought the nickname was given to him because of that connection and his blonde hair at the time.

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Jack Nicklaus 'Golden Bear' golf clubs

If you like the logo or want official Nicklaus clubs, they are available for purchase. The irons come with the logo on the club head and just next to it is Nicklaus' signature.

Jack Nicklaus 'Golden Bear' logo

The Golden Bear logo is about as straightforward as it gets. After all of these years, Nicklaus' logo is the profile of a bear standing and it is golden in color.

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Jack Nicklaus 'Golden Bear' clothing

Nicklaus has a clothing line. The website currently has 10 products ranging from golf polos to golf pants and shorts. Each of the polos has the logo either on the left chest or on the sleeve. There is also a "Black Label Pro Shop" that offers more. It takes the normal Golden Bear logo and applies it to graphic T-shirts, club covers, golf balls, and vests. Neal Shipley, who is currently on the PGA Tour, has been one of the main supporters of the brand and wears it when he plays.

The company's website reads, "For 50 years, the mission of Nicklaus Companies has been to enhance the golf experience and to deliver quality branded products and services on a global basis that mirror the high standards established in the career and life of its Founder, Jack Nicklaus."