Back in the day, people told Canadian golf prodigy Mike Weir to stop trying stunts like hitting drivers off the deck, dodging trees, and skimming the clubhouse. Growing up in Ontario, Weir was known for sending the ball flying with all the precision of a slap shot, mastering his shots without needing to power up his swing. Today, he’s a 54-year-old left-handed legend, driving 290 yards off the tee on the senior tour, but he almost lost his signature style along the way.
In the early days, surrounded by right-handed icons like Phil Mickelson, Weir considered switching to a right-handed swing—until he reached out to golf great Jack Nicklaus. In 1983, Weir asked Nicklaus if changing his swing would help him chase his first Major. Nicklaus didn’t just say “stick with it”; he gave Weir a lesson in strategy. Nicklaus replied, “Stick with your natural swing. For God’s sake, stop showing off and start thinking out there. Remember: a tree might be 90% air, but your head shouldn’t be.”
And it wasn’t just Weir who benefited from Nicklaus’ wisdom. Tom Watson, once Nicklaus’ biggest rival, grew to admire his precision and commitment, even shaping his own game under Nicklaus’ influence. For Watson, Nicklaus became a master in patience and precision—qualities that led to two green jackets and a career any golfer would dream of.
Would Mike Weir have achieved the same success if he’d gone right-handed? It’s tough to say, but sticking with his natural swing has become the defining choice of his career. Nicklaus’ advice is a reminder that sometimes, the key to greatness isn’t following the crowd—it’s leaning into what makes you unique.
