Dick Grout, Chuck Cook, Jim McLean, Mike Adams, Jim Hardy, Butch Harmon, pose for a photo at the Hall of Fame Member Recognition during the 14th PGA Teaching and Coaching Summit held at the Orange County Convention Center on January 18, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/The PGA of America)
Credit: Montana Pritchard
Ceremony was held January 18 in the Chapin Theatre at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida as a Part of a Special Reception Honoring
Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers
Jack Grout – known worldwide as the man who taught Jack Nicklaus how to play the game and was his instructor and mentor for four decades – was honored as one of six new selectees for induction into the World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame. Mr. Grout, who died in 1989, joins an elite class of the game’s greatest teachers elected by Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers and a panel of golf historians and journalists. Other teachers, who will be formally inducted into the Hall this October in New York City, include: Butch Harmon, Jim McLean, Mike Adams, Chuck Cook and Jim Hardy.
Jack Grout had a lengthy career in golf, giving lessons when he was only 15 years old, becoming a club head pro at 17, and traveling the PGA Tour for decades (and winning four tournaments) alongside Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson and other famed players. He eventually served as head professional at a series of excellent golf clubs, including Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio; La Gorce in Miami Beach, Florida, and Harrisburg and Hershey Country Clubs in Pennsylvania. He finished his career as teaching pro emeritus at The Loxahatchee Club in Jupiter, Florida and Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio .
While known widely as Jack Nicklaus’ career-long teacher, Mr. Grout also coached Raymond Floyd to three major championships and worked with major-title winners Lanny Wadkins and David Graham, plus additional players on the PGA and LPGA Tours. He also taught golf to athletes ranging from baseball’s Joe DiMaggio to horse racing’s Eddie Arcaro, and entertainers including Andy Williams, Vic Damone and Sean Connery – the original 007, James Bond!
The World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame was founded in 1998 by GOLF MAGAZINE to ensure that the theories and philosophies of the game’s greatest instructors live on. Criteria for selection include unfailing dedication to students, knowledge shared with the teaching community, demonstrated professionalism and at least 25 years as a professional instructor. It is the only hall of fame of its kind; Jack Grout joins an exclusive group of teaching professionals which include Tommy Armour, Percy Boomer, Ernest Jones, Harvey Penick, Davis Love, Jr., Paul Runyan, John Jacobs, Bob Toski, Jim Flick, Peggy Kirk Bell, Manuel de la Torre and Bill Strausbaugh, Jr.
Check out the Photos section for more pictures from the announcement!
Grout Golf 
Dick, I am so glad that your dad finally got inducted into a Hall of Fame. I am hopeful that he will someday also be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Congratulations on achieving this milestone he so richly deserves and you have worked so hard to attain!
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Dr. Ralph D. Roles, D.A.C.A.N
Chiropractic Neurologist
1835 Savage Road
Charleston, SC 29407
rdroles@charlestonneckandback.com
I was lucky enough to take lessons from Jack Grout at Muirfield Village and Cheeca Lodge – long after the lessons wore off the fond memories of having several lunch’s with him and just talking remain. I was able to sit in Mr. Grout’s “buggy” when he gave Jack Nicklaus a lesson at Muirfield Village before the 1978 British Open – a fantastic experience for a young kid. Also took some lessons from his son Dick Grout at Muirfield Village and he certainly inherited the calm personality and simple approach to a game that mankind has made maddening.
Congratulations on your Dad’s recognition, long overdue. . Your Dad and mine (Ralph Hutchison) shared a car with Ben Hogan in the old days. I often wondered if it was true, and Ben Hogan confirmed it on TV when he did one of his few interviews right before the Masters. I have a photo autographed by Jack Nicklaus saying Ralph was his second favorite teacher with Jack Grout being his favorite teacher. Our Dads lived through a unique and magical time in the world of professional golf. I remember being a child sitting in the backseat of the car on suit cases as dad played the winter tour. He spent 40 years as the head professional at Saucon Valley CC (1935-1975) and was the first assistant professional at Augusta National with Ed Dudley (head pro) when the course opened in 1932. I met your Dad on many occasions at the Masters where my Dad was the announcer and greeter on the 18th hole for 25 years.