Jordan Spieth recently hosted a clinic for an American Junior Golf Association tournament held in Dallas. (Courtesy)

DALLAS – In the wake of his meteoric rise to the top in golf, Jordan Spieth has been universally praised for “maturity beyond his years.”

Having just turned 24, Spieth is the youthful face for a new era dawning in golf. He comports himself both on and off the course with impeccable manners and charm. Those traits make him the game’s most popular ambassador since the late Arnold Palmer.

It was Palmer who ushered golf into the television age during the 1950s, expanding its appeal to a much wider audience. Now Spieth seems to be doing the same in a modern world awash in social media.

Back home from the just concluded PGA Championship won by his equally young friend Justin Thomas, Spieth was available to the media prior to hosting a clinic for an American Junior Golf Association tournament bearing his name. The tournament, now in its fourth year, was being held in Dallas for the first time after a three-year run in Austin. A stellar field of junior golfers was on hand at the new and intriguing links-style Trinity Forest Golf Club along the Trinity River south of downtown.

Spieth’s current status at the top of the golfing world began in 2015 when he won both the Masters and the U.S. Open en route to the Vardon Trophy for the lowest stroke average and Player of the Year honors. A minor slump ensued in 2016 with “only” two wins on tour, one at Fort Worth’s storied Colonial Country Club. But 2017 has seen him in the winner’s circle three times, including a third major at the British Open in late July. Spieth somehow reversed a downward spiral during the final round at Royal Birkdale with a finishing flourish of birdie, eagle, birdie, birdie and par.

“Hey guys,” Spieth said as he breezed into the room set up for a small local media contingent from North Texas.

Having waited for almost an hour as Spieth met with the Golf Channel, the local group had been getting antsy. There were even some muffled groans when a representative of the tournament announced that Spieth could only spare five minutes and that questions be limited to those relating to the junior tournament.

Spieth has a strong management group that, in addition to having made him considerably wealthier through smartly negotiated corporate endorsements, is protective of his time and commitments. The minor disappointments were nothing compared to a chance to chat briefly with the man who moves the needle in golf. This would be well worth the wait.

As Spieth took his seat before a bank of microphones neatly set up by the three major television stations in Dallas, he smiled again and quipped, “all right – mic’d up!”

Laughter erupted. He had us at hello.

Often overlooked, in light of his other admirable qualities, is the humor of Jordan Spieth. He is funny with a sharp and quick wit. It might come off differently were he not so sincere and genuinely engaged in the moment. There is no going through the motions for him.

“This is tremendous,” Spieth said of the tournament. “It’s cool to bring it to my home city. I love Austin and it’s my second home but it’s cool to bring it here – a nice change of pace. It’s awesome. To have your name on an AJGA event is something I always wanted since I was playing in them. I always thought, man, if I can get to the caliber where I can have my name on an AJGA tournament – that would be really cool. And now to be in the fourth year running is just phenomenal. It’s not anything that I have done but because of the people who run this tournament that it has become one of the premier junior events in the country.”

Spieth fielded more questions and described how he likes to interact with the junior players. He said he emphasizes the mental side of the game because “they already know how to hit hooks and fades.”

Referring to a picture of him and Thomas from their junior golfing days about 10 years ago that went viral on social media, Spieth said friendships are fostered among players on the AJGA tour and that for him and Thomas to win back to back majors this year was “almost ridiculous.”

“We had a special class in 2011 with guys who were almost good enough to play on the tour, even then,” Spieth said. “And who is to say there aren’t two guys like that at our clinic today.”

With that, the short session was adjourned as Spieth began to make his way out into the Texas heat to address some 100 golfers and parents already seated for the clinic. The Claret Jug he won at the British Open, annually awarded to what the British call the Champion Golfer of the Year, was left unattended. Taking a quick gaze at the names engraved on the 100 plus year old trophy, I saw “1920 – George Duncan – Deal.” Later I looked up Duncan and learned his win was at the first British Open held after a four-year hiatus due to World War I.

I also took advantage of a photo-op as I may never again have the chance to momentarily hoist such an iconic prize. I also left Spieth a signed copy of my book, “When Golf Was Fun.” I hope he finds time to read it – he did glance at the cover on his way out the door and said, “I wish that was still the case.” It was no doubt tongue in cheek and I enjoyed a nervous laugh.

Once on the range with Gary Williams of the Golf Channel serving as his sidekick, Spieth relived his famous 29-minute bogey that preceded his charge for the British title.

“I just told myself to stay calm because that’s the only way to save strokes. I thought maybe I’ll be two down or so but I knew I had five holes still to play,” Spieth said. “Once I learned the practice area was not out of bounds and that I could drop there, I was ready to go. But we had to check and double check to make sure. I was able to make a good bogey and only be down one and then when I hit it close on the next hole, I had the momentum again.”

Spieth emphasized that the mental part of the game is something he began to learn in earnest only as a pro.

“I play about 100 tournament rounds a year now so I’ve learned a lot. If I had faced that situation needing to take a drop a few years ago, I know I probably would have made a lot worse than a bogey.”

Continuing his dialogue with the junior golfers as they passed the Claret Jug around, Spieth talked about learning to hit shots and not worrying about how a swing looks. He said time on the range was about developing artistry.

“There is no stock 60-yard wedge shot but a variety of shots from 60 yards out depending on the wind, the slope and the pin placement.”

The junior golfers were at rapt attention. Perhaps one of two of them will be giving such a clinic in the future.

That’s the beauty of the game and having an engaged ambassador like Spieth at his best.