Hank Haney's Book "The Big Miss" about his time teaching Tiger

[jamo]

More surprising to me that Jaime Diaz is doing the actual writing on this. Always heard he was the only journo who was close to Tiger personally, as they went all the way back to junior golf together. Wonder when that bridge was burned?

If I had to guess, probably when they booted Tiger from the monthly tips column a few years ago. Or Diaz is just looking to supplement his own income, knowing that Tiger isn't all that likely to call him up for a tell-all book anyway. ;-)

[k-troop]

To be released the week before the Masters.

Haney certainly has an interest in Tiger never winning another major, regardless of what he says.  If Tiger can win Slams with Harmon, Haney, and Foley, then that seems to suggest that the instructor isn't making much of a difference.

With the release of this book in the Spring, you can bet that Tiger's press conferences at Augusta will be very little about his score on any particular day.  Certainly will be distracting for him.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by k-troop

To be released the week before the Masters.

Haney certainly has an interest in Tiger never winning another major, regardless of what he says.  If Tiger can win Slams with Harmon, Haney, and Foley, then that seems to suggest that the instructor isn't making much of a difference.

With the release of this book in the Spring, you can bet that Tiger's press conferences at Augusta will be very little about his score on any particular day.  Certainly will be distracting for him.

Tiger hasn't won a single major with Foley, let alone the slam. not sure if that's what you were saying, but it's what I'm saying.

[k-troop]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

Tiger hasn't won a single major with Foley, let alone the slam. not sure if that's what you were saying, but it's what I'm saying.

Yeah, that's the point.  If Tiger wins another Slam, then it looks like the identity of his instructor doesn't really matter.  If Tiger never wins another major, then every discussion of Tiger's legacy might include some form of "He just never got it back after he left Haney."  Obviously, that would be good for Haney.

I'm not saying Haney deliberately wants to sabotage Tiger, or that his book release is related to that.  That is the first thing I thought of, though--Tiger will have to deal with this in April, and it will distract him from his business in Augusta.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by k-troop

Quote:

Originally Posted by sean_miller

Tiger hasn't won a single major with Foley, let alone the slam. not sure if that's what you were saying, but it's what I'm saying.

Yeah, that's the point.  If Tiger wins another Slam, then it looks like the identity of his instructor doesn't really matter.  If Tiger never wins another major, then every discussion of Tiger's legacy might include some form of "He just never got it back after he left Haney."  Obviously, that would be good for Haney.

I'm not saying Haney deliberately wants to sabotage Tiger, or that his book release is related to that.  That is the first thing I thought of, though--Tiger will have to deal with this in April, and it will distract him from his business in Augusta.

Sounds like a built in excuse for team Tiger and it's not even February.

[k-troop]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

Sounds like a built in excuse for team Tiger and it's not even February.

I'm not on team Tiger, if that's what you mean.  I'm still undecided as to whether he's the best ever.  I think/hope he wins more majors--a lot more--because golf was very exciting to watch when he was doing things that made you scratch your head in disbelief.  (Well, I guess he did a lot of head-scratchers in 2010, but that's not what I'm talking about.)

[Beachcomber]

I agree with k-troop's point that if Tiger wins another major under Foley, then it takes away from the legacy Haney leaves.

But regarding the timing... It's brilliant from a marketing perspective... The Masters is like the Superbowl for the sport.  At no other time during the golf season (which is now pretty much 12 months), are more people watching the sport.  So what better time to release the book than when everyone will be watching Tiger at the Masters.  And what better way to market the book - than having the media ask Tiger about the book a billion times which will then get replayed over the air and re-written all over the various media outlets.

Hank is getting a lot of free press for his book releasing it when he does.

[k-troop]

Originally Posted by Beachcomber

But regarding the timing... It's brilliant from a marketing perspective... The Masters is like the Superbowl for the sport.  At no other time during the golf season (which is now pretty much 12 months), are more people watching the sport.  So what better time to release the book than when everyone will be watching Tiger at the Masters.  And what better way to market the book - than having the media ask Tiger about the book a billion times which will then get replayed over the air and re-written all over the various media outlets.

Hank is getting a lot of free press for his book releasing it when he does.

Agree with that as well.  He is releasing his book when it will get peak interest.  That was surely not a coincidence.

[The Recreational Golfer]

Every moment that we have on Earth is prescious. How many of them do you want to waste reading this book?

[k-troop]

If you love golf, why would you not want to read the story of how Tiger goes from the most dominant player in the history of the sport to a total joke in 12 months.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by k-troop

If you love golf, why would you not want to read the story of how Tiger goes from the most dominant player in the history of the sport to a total joke in 12 months.

Because we witnessed it in real time with up to the minute reports and opinion from every type of media outlet  you can think of. Mostly nauseatingly from non-sports media actually. What insight could this piece of literature possibly provide considering Haney by his own admission didn't really know Tiger that well? I can't imagine a less interesting golf book, aside from Breed's putting book or whatever Pelz is currently working on.

PS. I could be in the minority though. I also avoid profiles on Tim Tebow and yet many people just can't get enough of the guy.

[newtogolf]

If the book is focused on Tigers golf skills and Haney's experiences as his swing coach dealing with his injuries it could be an interesting read.  If it's more of a "here's Tigers life the way I saw it" then I agree, there's not much reason to read it.

Originally Posted by sean_miller

Because we witnessed it in real time with up to the minute reports and opinion from every type of media outlet  you can think of. Mostly nauseatingly from non-sports media actually. What insight could this piece of literature possibly provide considering Haney by his own admission didn't really know Tiger that well? I can't imagine a less interesting golf book, aside from Breed's putting book or whatever Pelz is currently working on.

PS. I could be in the minority though. I also avoid profiles on Tim Tebow and yet many people just can't get enough of the guy.

[Mr. Desmond]

I think for many it will still be an interesting read if it is written in an insightful manner.

[Goodfella]

Originally Posted by Harmonious

I am assuming that this book will not have Woods' blessing, if it honestly tells about their relationship.  Because of that, I think it will be interesting to read.  His handlers, and Woods himself won't allow anyone to pull aside the curtain to let the general public see the "real" Tiger.  Maybe this will do some of that.

On a similar note, there was an interesting article by John Feinstein in the latest Golf Digest http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-tours-news/2012-01/golf-tiger-woods-john-feinstein-book talking about his past experiences with Woods, and the lack of openness in the Woods/IMG/Nike camp.

Great article! I'll probably read the book because I think it will be interesting. I'm not a fan of Tiger, I admire his ability, but I really don't have a favorite golfer or even know how to chose just one to like lol.

[HarryVardon09]

I have a natural curiosity to know everything... So I'll have to read it.

[caniac6]

I guess Foley's book will be titled: How I Taught Tiger to Play 3 good Rounds.

[x129]

I have no idea on what Haney has written but in every interview with Haney he has pretty much had nothing but good things to say about Tiger. I expect the harshest thing that Haney will say would be I wanted Tiger to do X but he wanted to do.

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

I think for many it will still be an interesting read if it is written in an insightful manner.

[Beachcomber]

LOL... This book sounds like it is going to be garbage...Here is an excerpt from Haneys book per an article I read online today:

"Tiger was seriously considering becoming a Navy SEAL. I didn't know how he'd go about it, but when he talked about it, it was clear he had a plan....I thought, Wow, here is Tiger Woods, greatest athlete on the planet, maybe the greatest athlete ever, right in the middle of his prime, basically ready to leave it all behind for a military life."