The newest issue of Golf Digest includes an article on the current state of Tiger Woods. It’s a recap of his superhuman accomplishment in the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. A testament to his strength and fortitude. And confirmation of something I’ve been thinking about ever since I read his book, “How I play golf.”
My conclusion is this: I should stop listening to his advice. He’s fun to watch, and inspiring in many ways, but his approach to the game, and his natural skills, are so far beyond my comprehension, well, forget about it! And let’s face it, there aren’t many other guys who would benefit from his chapter on “How to hit the 2-iron stinger.”
Here’s a list of what Tiger has that you and I don’t have.
1. Genetically-ingrained discipline. His dad & mentor was in the Special Forces! He was raised by military guys who believed you get the job done, no matter what. Even if you’re shot you can “still operate.” Hoo-Ha. My dad was a pastor, my mom a grade school teacher. I don’t have a killer bone in my body. And if you’ve ever seen my dad swing a club, you’d say it was a God-given miracle that I can get the ball around the course at all.
2. Physical superiority. Earl Woods once said Tiger could have been a world-class sprinter or an Olympic decathlete. His legs are long, his torso perfectly proportioned and his biceps cut like a belt-wearing welter-weight. The guy works out with the Navy Seals! Even with concerted pushing from my personal trainer I’ll never touch that. My legs are too short. And I’m too much of a wimp to play 91 holes with a broken leg and blown-out ACL.
3. An Analytical Approach. Tiger’s always been one to analyze things. As Lee Trevino said, “He’s the most intelligent player I’ve ever seen about the golf swing.” He always has to know the reason why something worked, or didn’t work, and he believes that gives him an advantage over other players, especially feel players like me. My strength is creativity. The minute I start analyzing things is the minute it all starts to unravel.
4. Mental Toughness. If you’re going analyze the cause and effect of every little detail, you better be tough! Tiger’s intensity and his ability to out-think the competition is what makes him so great. Unfortunately, my brain doesn’t work that way. I can relate more closely to Phil Mickelson’s la-dee-da mental approach.
5. Competitiveness. On a scale of one to 10, with one being “totally laid back and 10 being “Ultra competitive,” Tiger’s a 10. He’s the guy who brought killer stares and fist pumping to a leisurely, gentleman’s game. I’m more like a three. Okay, five. Six at the most.
January 20, 2009 at 4:46 am
I was caddying for an amateur golfer a couple of years back and he made a funny comment about his shot making.
He said he lost most of shots by not taking his punishment and moving on, instead looking for the 1 in a million miracle shot. He changed his apporach and now looks at a difficult shot and asks himself if tiger would have trouble with the shot.
If the answer is even remotely close to a yes, he now takes his medicine and moves on.
Possibly the best way i’ve heard of using tiger to help your own game