Two Perfectionists Make it Right!

Still considered the greatest golfer to ever play the game, Jack Nicklaus is a man of intense focus, passion and unparalleled integrity, a true perfectionist on and off the course.

Clay Long shares that desire for integrity, and perfection as well, in the products he designs for Nicklaus Golf Equipment. “My designs need to be solid, technically sound, perfect,” says Long.

Working for Jack and his company has presented the 55-year-old Long with what he admits is the biggest challenge of his 30+ year career. “Jack has eyes and hands like a surgeon,” says Long, “ When he’s holding and examining my new designs, I know that any flaw in the design will be quickly and completely revealed.”

“More than anything, the perfection in his (Nicklaus’) life that extends into the golf equipment business is the belief that his integrity is on the line,” says Long. “He will not stand behind something that’s not a great product.”

While Long held executive R&D positions with several other well-known golf companies, he has spent the majority of his career working with Nicklaus. “Jack always keeps us on our toes,” says Long. “You can never wing it with him. If you don’t know something, you had better say you don’t know, which I’ve done plenty of times. A lot of people in golf would just make it up as they go along, but when you are dealing with Jack Nicklaus, you can’t do that. You couldn’t do it 30 years ago, when Jack was still playing and I was just starting my career, and you certainly can’t do it now. It’s not just his name that is on these products. It’s his integrity, and it’s my job to uphold the perfection and legacy of the greatest golfer to ever play the game through Premium Golf Equipment that bears his name.”