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Jack Nicklaus’ best tip will help every amateur golfer lower their scores, and the data backs it up

Originally posted on HITC | By Antony Martin | Last updated Oct 28, 2025 2:30 PM ET

Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer were rivals on the course, but they often helped each other with their games as well.

Nicklaus had a more successful career overall, but Palmer was the one who paved the way for his generation during the 1950s and 1960s.

The Golden Bear came onto the scene about six years after Palmer had already made a name for himself.

After Nicklaus won the US Open at Oakmont in 1962, Palmer was quick to let everyone know just how good he was going to be.

Both Nicklaus and Palmer have left their mark on younger players on Tour today, as well as amateurs trying to improve their games.

Palmer passed away in 2016 at the age of 87, but his legacy remains strong. And if you’re looking to lower your handicap, there’s a simple piece of advice he once gave Nicklaus that’s still worth listening to.

Why Nicklaus still sticks to Palmer’s advice

If you’re looking for ways to sharpen your short game, there’s a piece of advice Jack Nicklaus once shared that might be worth following. And it came from someone he trusted deeply.

In an interview with Tour Habits, Nicklaus talked about the tip he valued most, and it was one Arnold Palmer had given him early in his career.

Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images

“The number one tip that I got was from Arnold,” said Nicklaus. “I’m chipping every ball off the edge of the green and they’re rolling up three, four, five feet from the hole.”

“And Arnold said: ‘Why are you doing that? What would happen if you use your putter for the same shot – would four feet be acceptable?’”

“Your worst putt would be just as good as your best chip. I used that for the rest of my life.”

Data shows putter from off the green is more effective than a chip

There’s really no doubt that Palmer gave Nicklaus exactly the right advice. This rings especially true for mid-to-high handicap amateurs, something backed up by data from Arccos Golf:

Putting from off the green vs chipping metrics	Putting through 5-15 feet of fairway	Putting through 15-25 feet of fairway
Average strokes better when putting vs chipping on every hole	0.1	0.15-0.25
Average proximity to hole closer from worst putt vs worst chip	3-5 feet	5-6 feet
Average proximity to hole closer from best putt vs best chip	1-2 feet	1-2 feet

High handicappers typically hit just two or three greens in regulation per round, meaning they face around 15 chips or putts from off the green.

Opting to putt instead of chip could realistically save these players about two shots per round. For anyone not playing off single figures, reaching for the putter should be an easy decision.

Lou Stagner, Arccos Golf Data Insights Lead, broke down why putting from off the green tends to be the smarter play for higher handicap golfers.

He said: “Higher handicap, mid handicap players, when they are off the green, they should typically be putting. Not only are their best shots going to be closer but their worst shots are going to be closer. They are just better all around with the flat-stick.“

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

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