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

[David Hillman]

If you go by results, it's Bobby Jones today, tomorrow and forever. If you go by changing the game, it's Hogan, who invented practice, among other things. If you go by fans, it's Palmer.

Nicklaus and Woods aren't even 1-2 on the list, so can we PLEASE PLEASE change the title of this horrible thread to "Who's Better, Jack or Tiger?"

PLEASE.

[Leek]

If you go by results, it's Bobby Jones today, tomorrow and forever. If you go by changing the game, it's Hogan, who invented practice, among other things. If you go by fans, it's Palmer.

If I go by results alone, Nicklaus not Jones. If I go by changing the game, the guys who invented steel shafts, wound balls, multilayer balls, and the guy who invented metalwoods.

Jones is an all time great, so is Hogan.

[golfbarefoot]

tough one.

Tiger is only 7 majors away from breaking Jack's record, but 7 majors is A LOT.

Tiger has better equipment especially balls and drivers. The courses are much harder now than they were back then I think and longer for sure.

Even guys you have never heard of shoot low numbers. I think the competition is better now than it was. It's just that back then the same group was so dominant they always won, where as now anyone can win.

I say Tiger....BUT only if he ends up winning 19 majors....

[sammyclay]

Im gonna have to go with tiger.

[letgodsortemout]

I voted for Tiger because he is the one I've seen. In all honesty I am not a fan of any golfer. I'm just a fan of the game and love to play it. It's not like other sports where my favorite player is usually on my favorite team. To me golf is all about me and me alone.

[jon_allsopp85]

its got to be tiger,
hes an inspiration to all golfers and a model professional. every aspect of his game is flawless, swing/course management/mentality. For me tiger carries the sport of golf on his own. Brilliant.

[Billy_Baroo]

Both are great, but as several have said, Tiger hasn't completed his full body of work yet. With Tiger having years left, I'll play the favorable odds and give him my vote.

[Mongo]

I suppose Tiger is really gr8 man... The inspiration 4me and 4everybody to..."be a Tiger" and there is no space 4rasism in sports...

[bg_27]

I went with Tiger, but i think its cuz i am too young to really know much about Jack.

[lynchjo]

Jack is still the man until Tiger wins his 19th major. The way I see it number of Majors won is still the best measuring stick as far as who is the greatest golfer. To win a major you have to beat the best players in the world on the toughest courses.

Now that Tiger has started a family it will be interesting to see if he loses his focus on the course. Remember Jack won ALL his majors as a family man...I find it incredible that Jack won all the majors he did and still showed up for all his sons football games. Tiger hasn't won any majors as a family man...yet...

[campb1pr]

Jack is still the man until Tiger wins his 19th major. The way I see it number of Majors won is still the best measuring stick as far as who is the greatest golfer. To win a major you have to beat the best players in the world on the toughest courses.

Tiger will win plenty more, but in the meantime, I cannot agree more than to say, "What he said!" (and point respectfully at lynchjo)

[mgolfer]

I am saying Tiger as he is an excellent golfer and a nice person. I wasn't alive when Jack was playing in tournaments though.

[skisax80]

thats a tough on, you have to stop and wonder what Jack might of been able to do with some of todays technology,.. would he of been better or worse? right now theres no doubt Tiger is the man, the one person to beat Tiger is himself, when hes on, theres no stopping him, just look at yesturdays win at Firestone.

[jgilbert]

Tiger.

Just like his father said, no matter what he does on and off the course no one will do as much as he has or will once hes retired from golf - in the form of charitys and being a general ambassador to this great sport and many other things he has up his sleeves.

Tiger Woods - US President 2034 !

[guinner]

tiger, seeing him destroy rory was amazing. simple demoralized him

[liquidmarke]

I am going with Tiger. I am sure by the time is career is over he will have over 18 Majors. I am thinking like 20 to 21 Majors under his belt.

[PJStyles]

This debate will go on forever, even well after Tiger breaks Jack's record of major championships - the reason? Different era. People will always make up reasons/excuses as to why one is better than the other.

Unfortunately, I do not think a fair comparison can ever be made... Let's just all agree that they are two of the best golfers of all-time.

PJStyles

[keygolf]

This debate will go on forever, even well after Tiger breaks Jack's record of major championships - the reason? Different era. People will always make up reasons/excuses as to why one is better than the other.

That's very close to my perception, too, PJ. There is one other thing to add. They are very different styles and that also makes it complex to judge between them. Maybe the historians will have more to say, come 2100 or so.