DR. ROBI LUDWIG

is something my father taught me. We all have different makeup and components, and one child’s going to react differently than another. My brother Gary and I both learned how to play golf from Dad. Yet Gary was able to take instruction while I was more defensive for some reason to take instruction from Dad. But again, I think that’s not unusual or unnatural. It’s just that everybody processes things differently.

Family is critical; clearly your dad instilled that in you. What is your advice to those parents who struggle?

My parents never said “here is a lesson you must learn.” Rather, they lived their lives as examples of right living. My dad taught us the golden rule. He is fair and believes in fair business deals; that no deal is a good deal if it’s not good for both sides. He’s lived a Godly life with a solid foundation of good ethics. My dad has always had this ability to see things from 30,000 feet, to see the big picture and that is essential for understanding how to act.

The Nicklaus family has always been very active in giving back to the community. Why is that so important?

Our foundation of faith provides a base for our love for others. Mom and Dad have always been involved with helping people. As they have been increasingly blessed they have felt the need to give back. As a result of a near-miss with my sister Nan, they formed the Nicklaus Children’s Heathcare Foundation. It’s not just money, it’s about time. You give of yourself and hopefully even more important is the time and the love that you give back. I would encourage anyone to just see it as love they can give to others.

Best Seat in the House offers a number of important lessons that fathers can pass on to their children either through word or deed. The biggest take-away from this book, the perfect Father’s Day Gift, is the abiding love and devotion that Jack Nicklaus has for his family, and how that is the greatest lesson of all in how to be a father. Covering eighteen themes, Best Seat in the House is part parenting advice, part memoir. Its life lessons and personal reflections are rich wisdom for fathers and would-be fathers alike, and it offers insight into the personal character of the beloved Golden Bear, a man who has left a lasting imprint not only on America and golf, but also on his son and family.

Barbara and Jack Nicklaus