Terry Wilcox grew up in Ada, Oklahoma. He played college golf at Oklahoma State University and after graduating in 1962, turned professional.

 He played on the PGA Tour from 1964 to 1974 while also working as a club professional. Wilcox was also a SCPGA Sr. Champion and played in two Masters, five U.S. Opens and three PGA Championships.

Wilcox served as tournament director of the Kraft Nabisco Championship, an LPGA major at the Mission Hills CC in Rancho Mirage, California, from 1994 to 2008.