World without the maestro, Jim Flick dies at 82
America’s top golf instructor of both professionals and amateurs, Jim Flick died of pancreatic cancer and kidney problems in Carlsbad, on Monday. He was 82.
“Work was his passion,” said his wife, Geri. “On October 8 he taught the last lesson.”
Flick had advised more than 200 professionals and various corporate groups and many weekend warriors.
In addition to the expansive teaching program with the several published books about golf, Flick questioned some perfectionist inclinations of the devotees that include focus on scientific swing analysis and muscle building.
Regarding his view towards the golf clubs who should give emphasis on the body, he told in an interview “Most of the golf academies taught the kids to give emphasis on the body movements first and leave the right way to hold the club on assumption which doesn’t work properly. The priority should be given to the club first then the body movement will automatically follow.”
Flick watched quietly many of Jack Nicklaus’s sessions with Coach Jack Grout, who expired on 1989. When Nicklaus started struggling on the senior tour, his first tournament he sought Flick’s help.
“Once, walking down the fairway I asked ‘Well, Jim you have seen how Jack Grout taught me and also watched my last 9 holes. So what’s your opinion?’ Jim in reply told “well, I can’t see Jack Nicklaus.’ At that time I didn’t understand what he wanted to tell.”
“Then he took me to the tee and showed what he meant. He pointed out that I am not using my club and my legs, only focused on my hips. He worked on a number of things which resulted in my victory in that tournament. Thanks to Jim that I played well that week which I was not able to do till den.”
The two also did business together and ran Nicklaus-Flick schools from 1991-2003. Golf schools for ESPN and Golf Digest were also ran by him. Golf World listed him in the century’s top 10 teachers in 1999.
On November 17, 1929, James Myron Flick was born in Bedford.
Besides his wife, a daughter, Jan Guynn; stepdaughters, Kimberly Hubbard, Victoria Smith and Suzanne Youngquist; nine grandchildren; two great grandchildren are alive.
For 12 years, Tom Lehmann, who won the 1996 British Open was Flick’s student. “He taught that not only swing mechanics but also self-confidence is required for golf. ‘Remember what you are, remember what you can do, I have faith in you, so go have faith in yourself’ these are his immortal words,” Lehman told in an interview.