Jack vs. Tiger: Who's the Greatest Golfer?

[coloradolax&golf14]

Tiger's the best, even though he does have a ways to go, and he has his ups and downs, just like every other golfer.

[mjtoal]

Still Jack for me. Tiger is likely to pass 18 professional majors, but Jack had some attributes which I think Tiger has not yet developed. The fist pump and spit were not in Jacks game.

[laconic517]

whats wrong with a fist pump?

[mjtoal]

whats wrong with a fist pump?

Nothing, just a style thing. Tiger has a different crowd-pleasing style than Jack.

[iacas]

Still Jack for me. Tiger is likely to pass 18 professional majors, but Jack had some attributes which I think Tiger has not yet developed. The fist pump and spit were not in Jacks game.

Just as smoking isn't in Tiger's game (but was in Jack's until, coincidentally enough, the U.S. Open at Oakmont). Different eras. Jack didn't really have the Tiger Twirl or the Tiger Leg Kick, either.

[smileykj218]

Tiger this tiger that. Bunch of nonsence is what goes on. Untile Tiger has better numbers the point is mute. Consequently Jack did great thing with a family life. Tiger nothing so far, lets see results after kids to test his "great" consentration. One track man in my opinion so far. Regarding people who say tiger is longer than jack please, who hit it 300yds with wooden drivers. Not tiger! Better ball striker. Again who has hit 1 irons in competition with results. Not tiger. Yes tiger has better short game but stop saying he is better at everything versus jack.

At this point jack is still the best.

[aceadair]

Since I am part of the younger generation i am going to say Tiger. He has the greatest impact on and OFF the course. I think that you have to have both to be the greatest.

[laconic517]

1 irons to my understanding are modern 2 irons due to every club being made 1 club stronger in say the past 10-15 years, a modern PW was a 9 iron back in jacks day. Anyway, Id say Tiger so far has been much more dominant, but its too early to compare careers and tiger is/was a great 2 iron player, maybe the best ever, so that whole long iron arguement should be mute

[Turkovic]

Until Tiger wins 18 majors, Jack is the greatest, but when that happens (and it will...) it will be Tiger. Jack was a better driver, they are about even on iron play, Tiger has the much better short game, and they are both incredible clutch putters. Jack does lose points for being a Buckeye though :)

[iacas]

Until Tiger wins 18 majors, Jack is the greatest, but when that happens (and it will...) it will be Tiger. Jack was a better driver, they are about even on iron play, Tiger has the much better short game, and they are both incredible clutch putters. Jack does lose points for being a Buckeye though :)

I disagree with this way of thinking (but hey, to each his own... I'm only commenting here on my opinion - keep yours, it's just as valid). Bobby Jones didn't win 18 majors (13, IIRC, and only 7 "pro" ones) but he in fact may be the best golfer of all time.

Tiger has won his faster. If a freak accident ended Tiger's career tomorrow, I'm simply suggesting the total number may not matter 100% - there's got to be some consideration for the RATE at which the majors were won, right?

I think Tiger's the best largely because of the rate. If his rate slows and he somehow doesn't get to 18, then both things (rate and total) will be in favor of Jack, but right now his rate's higher and it's almost a foregone conclusion his total will be higher, so I give a slight edge to Tiger.

And yeah, I'd put Bobby Jones ahead of Jack Nicklaus, though I could probably be convinced to change my mind because Jack may have had slightly tougher competition.

[andybrook]

Tiger all the way!!

[theslicegirls]

Jack is the greatest until Tiger beats his majors record

[wh87gta]

Gotta go with Tiger cause I didn't really see Jack.

[rmccabe6]

I have to vote for Jack because I am tired of hearing about Tiger this, Tiger that. I am waiting for him to walk on the water to get to the 17th green at sawgrass.

[theslicegirls]

I disagree with this way of thinking (but hey, to each his own... I'm only commenting here on my opinion - keep yours, it's just as valid). Bobby Jones didn't win 18 majors (13, IIRC, and only 7 "pro" ones) but he in fact may be the best golfer of all time.

Bobby Jones played against amateurs, well two of his grandslam were against amateurs weren't they??? Hard to compare any golfers of different era's. We're HUGE tiger fans but if Tiger were to retire tomorrow, dont think you could say without a doubt that Tiger was the greatest. Certainly you would say he WOULD have been the greatest, but the record books have gotta count for something

[Holz]

Tiger IS the man.

[Parker0065]

1 irons to my understanding are modern 2 irons due to every club being made 1 club stronger in say the past 10-15 years, a modern PW was a 9 iron back in jacks day. Anyway, Id say Tiger so far has been much more dominant, but its too early to compare careers and tiger is/was a great 2 iron player, maybe the best ever, so that whole long iron arguement should be mute

The long iron's go to Jack hands down. Tiger does have a nice 2 iron "tee shot" but I would say even Fred Couples is/was a better long iron player than I've seen from Tiger. Tiger has a better short game than Jack, and I even give Tiger a slight edge in putting over Jack, but overall ball striking goes to Nicklaus! As far as clubs go, you can't compare a forged blade iron from the 60's and 70's with the forged blades of today. There is a lot of technology in today's forged irons. I've played forged blades for over 30 years and when you slightly mishit a set of McGregor Tourney's from the 70's you instantly knew it and the results would be worse than poor. With today's forged blades you can slightly mishit it and still get away with a respectable shot. Then there's the whole golf ball differences. I always thought it would be interesting to see Tiger play a round with clubs and balls from that era. I'm sure he would be amazed at how easily the ball would spin left or right. It really is amazing what they have done in the last +20 years to take the side spin out of the golf ball! Bottom line is Jack didn't have the technological advantages that Tiger has. Golf was a harder game to play back then. The clubs had smaller sweet spots, and the balls flew shorter and with a lot more side spin.

[iacas]

The long iron's go to Jack hands down. Tiger does have a nice 2 iron "tee shot" but I would say even Fred Couples is/was a better long iron player than I've seen from Tiger. Tiger has a better short game than Jack, and I even give Tiger a slight edge in putting over Jack, but overall ball striking goes to Nicklaus!

Did you happen to watch the last two majors of last year? In particular, the one played in July?

Then there's the whole golf ball differences. I always thought it would be interesting to see Tiger play a round with clubs and balls from that era. I'm sure he would be amazed at how easily the ball would spin left or right.

You do realize Tiger played balata balls in winning some of his majors and all of his U.S. Amateurs, right?

Bottom line is Jack didn't have the technological advantages that Tiger has. Golf was a harder game to play back then. The clubs had smaller sweet spots, and the balls flew shorter and with a lot more side spin.

So? Nicklaus' and Tiger's peers have the same relative advantages or disadvantages. Technology is a moot point. Tiger - and Jack - can only compete with the equipment they have, just as Bobby Jones could before them both.