Best Seat in the House

18 Golden Lessons from a Father to His Son

By: Jack Nicklaus II, Don Yaeger, Jack Nicklaus - foreword

Narrated by: Tom Parks

USA Today Best Seller

Jack Nicklaus II shares stories, insights, and lessons he’s learned from his father, the “Golden Bear,” that will delight golf fans of all ages, encourage fathers, and inspire readers to focus on what’s most important in life: family.

Best Seat in the House, written with New York Times best-selling author Don Yaeger, gives us 18 valuable lessons that Jack Nicklaus II learned from his father, PGA champion Jack Nicklaus. Although the “Golden Bear”, as he is known by fans, is widely regarded as the best golfer of all time, with a record number of PGA major championships, his life and values show that true legacy lives on through your children, grandchildren, and others we are blessed to call family and friends.

For the first time, the public is given the opportunity to see what made Jack Nicklaus an off-course success, including

• how he and his wife, Barbara, fashioned 50-plus years of marriage, understanding that they both had to give of themselves “at least 95 percent of the time”
• the importance of having boundaries and limits that everyone in the family agrees on
• how Nicklaus taught his son Jack, who worked as his caddie for several years, to value his competitors and treat them as he would hope to be treated
• the need to be connected to what we’ll leave behind: our legacies

One June day, Jack Nicklaus II had just completed his second round in a Palm Beach County Junior Golf Association tournament and was sitting at the scorer’s table, signing his scorecard, when somebody told him his dad was on the telephone. He was a little frustrated because he didn’t want to be bothered on such an important day, but his dad wanted to know how he had played, so Jack II spent the next twenty minutes detailing every hole and every shot.

Afterward, his father said, “Jackie, would you like to know how your dad did today?” Of course he wanted to know, and he felt a little guilty for not asking. “Well, I just won the US Open.” It was Father’s Day 1980, and on that day Jack II learned a valuable lesson that he carried with him into adulthood: family is more important than anything in the world.

©2021 Jack Nicklaus, II and Don Yaeger (P)2021 Thomas Nelson

Stevie vs Seve?

Good book but really. Stevie Ballesteros? Vs Seve. And Siota was not pronounced proper either.

From Jack Who Has The Best Seat To View Jack

Jack II has the best view of my childhood hero and he delivers with exceptional excellence.

Wonderful read!!!

What an inspiring book. An “inside the ropes” look at the greatest golfer of all time from the perspective of his first born child. A tribute to a great father and a great man.

Every Chapter a Pearl of Wisdom

Just as his father, Jack takes great care with detail and delivery. Every chapter, every lesson, every anecdote beautifully complied and conveyed.
Entertaining and deeply insightful.
And while the Nicklaus Family is truly an American Treasure, we are reminded, and given the tools, to also treasure our own.

Heartfelt endearing story of fathers love

I’ve always been a fan of Mr. Nicklaus but I will never look at him again the same as I have an even higher respect and esteem for him after reading this book. What a loving tribute from jack Jr. Jack Sr set quite an example for all of his children it seems!

Good life lessons from the son of a legend

Jack Nicklaus II gives thoughtful insight into how his dad became a legend just not in golf but in life. The lessons imparted in this book can be applied to everyday life. No doubt this was a son’s testimonial to honor his father. The narrator of the book was professional but I got the impression he was not very familiar with professional golf based on him referring to Seve Balllesteros as “Steve”.

Life’s lessons

While some of these lessons are fairly standard listening to them from the view of Jack Nicklaus is entertaining for a golfer

Don’t waste your money

I am a huge Nicklaus fan but Jackie’s book is not at all interesting. I must be honest