I strongly considered responding to some of the more interesting comments affixed to part one, but I’ll remain the catalyst for mudslinging and not a participant in the action which I provoke (which usually seems to be calling me and/or my writing “pointless” or “stupid”).
It’s nice both to hear words of encouragement and dodge the tomatoes which are being hurled my way. Keep it up. Before I get to the other major points, I’d like to say that one of the main reasons for all the specific “anti-Tiger” complaints is the man’s sheer overexposure, and indeed many of his flaws (foul language, relative scarcity, photographer abuse) stem, I think, for his overexposed status. That is, he’s asked to don a persona, which is mostly his creation, but which is, to some extent, a washed out facade, all the time.
True, there are great rewards in being “Tiger Woods,” but the man also exists within very apparent boundaries, which seem to be ever encroaching, thus his inherently defensive posture. This isn’t so much of a justification for behavior, but rather an attempt to identify root causes, for what it’s worth.
Anyway, on with the rest of the letter.
The Malleable and Ever Improvable Self
One of the more impressive things about Tiger is that he never stops trying to improve. From Woods himself: “This is something I’ve said and will continue to say. I’m going to try to get better” (Tiger Virtues Tresniowski). It may be a perversion of Buddhist thought to say the following (indeed, perhaps the statement would be more in line with a Hindu view of the self) but self mastery, self improvement, and self control are all focal points of a Buddhist lifestyle as active processes in and of themselves, not simply as philosophical or religious inclinations.
Woods may not be perceived as the most congenial or approachable of PGA standouts, but it is surely something he works on, and works diligently at, within obvious limits. I don’t think his on course “antics” should be indicative of anything other than the tremendous passion which he has for the game and his competitive fire, which is, arguably stronger than any other professional athletes. I ask, rhetorically, how would you fare in managing such a drive? Most of us have a hard enough time laying off the Junior Bacon Cheeseburgers…
Only a fool would say that there are no limits to human potential. It is equally foolish, however, to settle for markedly less than one’s best and lack the basic confidence to achieve (personally defined/understood) greatness. Tiger is ever concerned with improving his swing, but it should also be remembered that he’s also trying to be a better father, a better son, run a better foundation, sculpt a better body, be more compassionate, etc. Given this, Tiger represents the desire for self improvement, as well as the systematic approach to that goal, better than any other golfer, and, really, better than any other high profile athlete (or celebrity of any sort?).
The Essential Corporate Athlete
“Corporate Athlete” is at once a vague and self-evident term. In simplest language, the difference between an “ordinary” athlete, who may or may not be sponsored, and the aforementioned “corporate” athlete is the magnitude of the investment which the corporate entity has made in the individual and the level of involvement, usually with respect to endorsements and advertising, that athlete has with the corporation in question. All this by way of saying that although he had predecessors (most notably Michael Jordan) Tiger is the most successful corporate athlete, in terms of contractual dollars, and the most visible, in terms of global recognition of his face/ status, etc.
The $40 million initial contract with Nike is common knowledge, or at least common lore, and since that point in 1996, Woods has does nothing but improve his stock, mostly with inspiring play and a controlled (if sometimes distant) presence. He is both a prize to be won by companies at large, hence the recent bidding war for his bag sponsorship, and the role model for any athlete seeking to market him or herself.
Further, if there isn’t a lesson for the average individual in Tiger’s relentless pursuit of self improvement, there is certainly one here, given the profoundly cliché “competitive job market” of today. You need to look at yourself as a product, considering the desires of your target market and working to broaden your appeal in order to be legitimately successful. Call it selling out, if you must, from your lofty perch… I’ll call you from my retirement home in 40 years, tell you how the weather is.
East Meets West
Read the article in Golf Digest this month about Kultida Woods and never mind the sappy/atrocious ending.
If I were conducting a class in stereotypes, or Social Studies, or whatever, I would draw a dividing line on the board (I suppose I might be doing this all in PowerPoint or something, today… does anyone miss chalkboards? Can’t very well laugh when Mrs. Grumpybosom turns around and has chalk all over her backside when there’s no chalk…) and label one side “East,” the other, “West.”
After all the negative connotations were expunged, I think the class would come up with a few constructive items. I’m sure you can engage in this exciting project on your own time, I won’t waste it (more than I have already) by creating a list of paired opposites. The thrust of what I am saying here is both general and specific. In general, Tiger was raised in a unique and privileged environment, having a father who embodied one of the high points of Western culture, namely the military mind, and a mother from Thailand, who passed on a Buddhist world view, tinged, of course, with Taoist and Confucian elements.
A specific example of the value of such an upbringing is the fact that while Tiger “never gives up” or “is never satisfied” (Western) he is always accepting and at peace with the present (Eastern). There are, as I’m sure you’re aware, a variety of other such examples, but that’s another article (which will never be written, as I believe The Sand Trap faithful would hunt me down should I spend any more time glorifying Woods).
Fin.
I’ll stop now, although, as I’ve mentioned, there’s more in me. If there’s a groundswell of support for the idea, I’ll publish something a little more serious in the coming weeks, tentatively titled “Tiger Woods: An American Dreamer.” Otherwise, I’ll “get a diary” and steer my ship into calmer waters. 🙂
Now we know what Phil Knight does in his downtime…ghost writes for The Sand Trap.
With that being said both Parts 1 and 2 are interesting and well-written.
I enjoyed reading that, Ben.
I don’t really have any issues with Tiger. I don’t typically root for him, but that’s more an expression of my support for the underdog than any negative commentary on Tiger.
One thing that does bother me about him – or in the coverage of him – is that he seems to get treated with kid gloves. Writers seem terrified of him (rightly so, I suppose), and other than the tentative jabs at his on course language issue, he is rarely seriously criticized. And certainly, he’s almost never asked tough questions.
Admittedly, it’s a bit silly to ask “tough questions” about the golf performance of a guy who is rewriting the record books. But as an example…Tiger is praised for his work ethic, and his desire to constantly improve. Much has been written of his work with Hank Haney, and with the exception of a few articles at the very beginning of the Hank Haney era, nothing negative has been written about it. Well, one thing I think we can say about Tiger is that he is not good with the driver, certainly not for a touring professional, and nowhere near the level he is with the other aspects of his game. His problem with the driver may have cost him the Masters this year, as he was in position to post -10 or -11, until consecutive bad drives on the final holes did him in.
He could have been criticized for a) driving poorly under pressure, and for b) making questionable decisions in choosing to hit driver in those situations.
Had Phil Mickelson bogeyed the final 2 holes as Tiger did, in that fashion, he surely would have been ‘written up’ for it.
I doubt many people will forget Tiger’s win at Torrey Pines, but will people remember that on Saturday he hit several drives in the neighborhood of 50+ yards off-line, and got away with it.
We expect Tiger will continue to win majors, but if his driving problems were to get worse, which they might, or if some of the shine comes off his putting, as often happens to players as they mature, he may find himself less able to compensate for his wildness in the future.
My bottom line: greatest player ever, but there are still some things we can ding him for…and we should!
A really interesting set of articles.
I’m 29 and most of my golf viewing has been in the Tiger era…he has without doubt had the greatest effect on the sport since Palmer, Nicklaus and Player.
It could be argued that a large proportion of the people that have criticised him in this blog would not even play golf if Mr Woods hadn’t made an appearance!?!?
It’s fair to say that he does chase the $$$…do you really blame him though?? Good luck to him, I say! Everybody loves to hate someone that is succesful (Manchester Utd soccer team springs to mind).
I can deal with the cussing…be honest, we’ve all done it…the game can be frustrating; reagrdless of the level you play and your ability. My only issue is the spitting!!
Those people living in the Southern Hemisphere will get their wish this year when he turns up in Melbourne to play the Australiain Open…a course that I’m sure he’ll enjoy and do well on.
Words like genius and legend are used far too often in all areas of sport. I feel however, that both of these apply to Tiger and I’m sure that Jacks major record will go sooner rather than later!
p.s. I rather drive like Tiger, than putt like Garcia!!!!
If Rory Mcilroy’s “kicking sand” got him a late night interview with officials, why not Tiger’s driver throwing tantrum. The guy is no doubt a great golfer but……When I started watching and playing golf the words, class, integrity, fair play were always mentioned with the great names. From the cussing, pouting, club throwing, and yes even getting your rabid fans to move a boulder so you can hit a shot (do you really think Jack would have permitted that to happen). No doubt Tiger is a first class golfer but I guess you can be a great golfer without being a great sport.
I admire Tiger for his obvious dedication to improvement at a continuing level second to no one. I respect him for the multi-cultural background he brings and, perhaps, that he has sought to pass on to others. And good for him in resisting the simplistic classifications of black or white (despite what I imagine is the outside pressure to do).
I don’t begrudge him his corporate status, but I see no reason why I should admire him for it, any more than I should admire (for example) a young Wall Street tycoon who makes boatloads due to his single-minded motivation for personal aggrandizement.
This is an interesting discussion. No one here as actually met the man and yet there are clear and divided opinions about him. Someone mentioned the eating, cussing and blowing his nose on the course and unacceptable. The criticism is leveled in the wrong direction, it should be at the director of the broadcasts, not Tiger. Everything we “know” about him has be told through another persons lens, or pen, or personal notions. Since we have not met him personally we asses him by what others say about him.
I’ve worked in production, I’ve edited things to make people say things they didn’t say, look bad, and look good. The media does this to him as well and he has absolutely no control over it. This is important for this reason – Tiger sells soap, everyone makes money off him winning: he’s a golden goose for TV, Club Mfg’s, advertisers and even charity’s.
The only reason he and anyone else on TV has a job is to sell products for others. The band at a clubs is there to help the bar sell booze, the golfer is there to help Nike sell their stuff and CBS sell air time for RBS, and IBM and everyone else. That is the only reason he exists in this form and as such is an item, a tool and what we see is that tool performing.
To watch him on TV is wonderful, he is good looking, fit, wild at times (Seve was too btw) controlled at others and judging by the comments a very polarizing figure – a complete experience for the viewer – the perfect lure to sell soap.
Tiger as a person? I remained undecided as I have never met him.
I respect Tiger’s game and work ethic, but other than that I am not a Tiger fan.
Great article by the way. I wish more people would talk about things like the fact he is the #1 fined gofler on tour (PGA doesn’t release this info to the public).
I was so fed up with Tiger when he “opted” out of talking to the press after the Masters. Why do WE let him get away with this? Any other golfer would have been blasted by the media, but because Tiger had a bad day, he is not held to the same standards as the other 225 players trying to stay on the tour.
Shame on you Tiger for neglecting the people that pay you. I have had enough.
David verses Goliath.
At one time Tiger was David, now he’s Goliath.
I’ve always favored David.
Simple
Uhm, because throwing a club is not (potentially) against the rules???
Hopefully this is the last “open letter to all anti-tigerites”
“I hit it so bad warming up today, I was hitting quick hooks, blocks you name it,” said Woods.
“And then on the very first hole I almost hit it into the eighth fairway. It’s one of the worst tee shots I’ve ever hit starting out.
“I fought my swing all day and just kind of ‘Band-Aided’ around and almost won the tournament with a ‘Band-Aid’ swing today.
“It was just terrible. I don’t know what was going on.”
Sounds almost like a chopper who tells you he normally plays better than this because he’ worried whether you think he’s any good or not. The part about ‘almost winning’ came across terrible.
“I hit a nine iron over the bunker… but it was a terrible swing to miss it that far right of where it was aimed. “It was fun.”
“We’ve had some good matches in the past. I’m usually on the wrong end of it, but it was fun playing with him. I’ve always enjoyed it.”
Sound like a better playing partner than the other guy.
I have to agree with “JP” on his statement because it seems that he does get treated with kiddy gloves. The reason the reporters are scared to say anything with a bit of criticism is because Tiger doesn’t like criticism. He completely shuns anyone who criticizes him and gives them that “your not my friend anymore” attitude. If you guys don’t remember, when Butch Harmon and some other golf commentator (forgot the name) criticized Tigers new swing changes when he recruited Hank haney to be his teacher, Tiger sniffed them off at the practice range when they said hi to him. To this day, Tiger doesn’t even acknowledge Butch, just for giving his own opinion.
I’m a big Phil Mickelson fan due to his connection with the fans, his risk-taking attitude towards golf (it bites him back though…a lot during majors), his flawless short game, and yes, his inconsistency ( he should be kicking himself for missing those putts and double-bogeying the 12th at the masters, because he would’ve won) . I don’t hate Tiger, I still think he is the best in the world but his demeanor on the golf course is something that I don’t care for. Throwing clubs, throwing fits when something goes wrong, and not really acknowledging the crowd at all during the round is bogus to me. Some can call it “focus’ but I think it is just a big ego-trip built up within him due to being overpublicized.
Like “JP” said, Tiger does have problems with his driver that everyone is too scared to criticize. I still thought he wasn’t ready to win the Masters this year, his game wasn’t complete. Lets face it, he won ugly at Bay Hill. He nenfits a lot from the field falling apart in final rounds and gravitating towards him until he has them in his grasp.
IMO Tiger will beat Jacks records but as a huge fan of Tiger in the past (1997-2003) he just isn’t the same Tiger as far as behavior goes.
I like Tiger, and love to watch him play. But I also think it’s a bit refreshing to see some newer faces in the winner’s circle for a change. There are a LOT of fine PGA tour pros out there, and I enjoy seeing someone win that has not been in the limelight much.
Ben, I’m glad you feel you successfully got that out of your system, vapid as it was.
I enjoyed reading both parts of this article. I held of writing my comments until reading the second half. There are many points I agree with in both parts. Since the point wasn’t as much to glorify Tiger, as much as defend against the bashing, I felt the points used succeeded. Facts are facts, Tiger Woods is the iconic athlete of today.
I would say that hating Tiger because he chooses to secure himself and family from over exposure on a personal level is ridiculous. We, as a society, is over concerned with the personal lives of stars. Good for him for successfully buffering himself.
To see the extent of his accomplishments as an athlete, both on and off “the job”, let’s compare it to other professional athletes. The NBA and NFL are plagued with “stars” that are horrible role models for the future of their respective sports. Vick, Bryant, and Iverson are just 3 perfect examples. All have endorsements, post game interviews were/are “standard opperating proceedure”, and all have issues that have effected their career/personal lives that is all too public. The sad truth is that there are more people defending the actions and choices of such stars, than there are that seem to support Tiger.
It is my opinion that our society is not happy unless our heroes are train wrecks. Sorry that Tiger has dissappointed so many since he is a positive role model.
If you don’t like him because of some superficial item, get over it. If you have a real issue, let it go. Follow the golfer you want and leave the rest alone. I personally enjoy watching numerous golfers, including Tiger, Phil, and Boo to name a few.
Good article solid points. I like Tiger Woods the golfer! Don’t know him as a person but someone close to me met him in the past and said he was a jerk. I can’t say that’s the truth because I don’t know. I think he’s a great golfer, very fit. As far as athlete goes he’s a great golfer, IMO.
I also have to agree with “Russ”. The guy get’s scrutiny for everything he does and or doesn’t do. He’s a bad driver of the golf ball with a driver but his 3 wood is almost as good as many pro’s drivers. So he’s flawed, he can’t bomb a driver as well as others. He’s human and not perfect I wish I could hit my Driver as well as he hits it when he hits it poorly.
Another point “Russ had, Tiger as a role model”. He’s a great role model…. IMO, Period! He’s human, he wins in his sport, he helps people, he runs a charity, he’s successful, he’s a very hard worker at his chosen profession. I understand the need to not like people or things because they are great but the proper thing to say here would be I don’t like him because….. (insert crazy reasons here). I’m just kidding! He also deals with the media much as Jordan had to and he’s done a good job, who want’s to be bothered everyday by someone trying to make their mark on the world with the story good or bad about Tiger Woods. I applaud him for doing so well with the media. I also agree with Russ, “The NBA and NFL are plagued with “stars” that are horrible role models.” I can’t agree with you more. There are numerous bad people that get lots of money and do bad things and the world, suddenly forgets when they win a championship. What has Tiger done that’s so bad? Win too many golf tournaments, get mad when he doesn’t, blow snot rockets, spit, curse, give lame interviews? Be thankful his interviews aren’t like T.O.’s. Those are all pretty questionable reason’s to not like someone in my opinion but to each his own.
As for his attitude on the course when things go wrong. I laugh when he get’s mad because, it’s how I am. He’s a sore loser, SO WHAT! That’s why he wins so often. Vince Lombardi, “Show me a good loser and I’ll show you a loser!” He’s revered so much so that the very trophy in the sport he coached is named after him. Why is it not acceptable to want to win so badly it pisses you off if you don’t? Jordan was the same way, so much so that journalists often wrote how he would cheat in order to win, (games other than Basketball).
Sports are most often a learning activity and fun for kids. At the highest level they are high dollar entertainment and business vehicles. Most of the people getting paid to play aren’t good role models… period, they are athletes. Parents, IMO are role models.
If you don’t like Tiger it’s very simple, don’t watch him!
I’m an anti-Tiger guy. It’s not Tiger’s fault, however. He’s probably the best golfer I’ve ever seen. As an athlete, I love how he’s taken his fitness to a level not before seen in golf. I’m an anti-Tiger guy because of golf coverage. The better Tiger is doing, the worse the coverage. I have nothing against, Tiger as a person but when it comes to golf, I want him to lose because I actually like watching some other players in addition to Tiger.
– Recently, Tiger was in the next to last group on Saturday. The network covering the round (CBS, I think) was showing Tiger every second they could. As soon as Tiger finished his round, they stopped the coverage (it was after 6:00 so they were running late). We didn’t get to see the leaders finish, but you bet your sweet arse we saw every single breath Tiger took that day.
– ESPN Sportscenter covers golf by covering Tiger very well and covering everyone else as an after thought. When Tiger was out they all but ignored the sport.
– How many times have you seen news coverage of an event cover Tiger’s round for 5 minutes, then show 2 other shots, then tell us who’s leading. The last thing you see is a board with scores and Tiger’s picture (even though he’s in 9th place that day)
I could go on an on but it’ll get repetitive. I respect Tiger’s game, as a golf fan, however, I want him to lose so I get to see some of the other players. There’s also my natural inclination to root for the underdog.
I am one of the millions of people who became a golf fan, and ultimately a golfer due almost entirely to TW. He brought new generation of golf to a different demographic than all others before him.
His on course antics to me are just those of a perfectionist furious for not hitting the fairway or missing a 15 foot put. He EXPECTS near perfection and doesn’t accept anything else from himself.
As the highest paid athlete in the world, there are huge demands on his time and privacy. You can’t feel bad for a guy that has raked in hundreds of millions of dollars over his career (is is a billion yet?), but one can understand why he is guarded. Everyone wants a piece of him the fans, the media, the sponsors.
If Tiger was involved in any type of scandal that other athletes of all sports are involved in, I’d understand why he has detractors. But that hasn’t and won’t happpen so any criticism sounds like envy to me. He’s has faults like all of us, not perfect, but still an exceptional person we can all aspire to be.