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

[reid]

Jack was a better ball-striker. Tiger is much better around the greens. They are equally great putters. Jack played against more formidable competition. Jack was the better all-around athlete but Tiger at his best is better than Jack was at his best

[Golf4life]

Tiger:

The adversity, competition, course design and technology is no where near the days of Jack. Not taking anything away from a true legend as Jack.

[Chieftan22]

By the end of his career, Tiger will be better

[snoodlelvr]

I'm going with Tiger due to his physical conditioning. Sports (not just golf) is in a new era where athletes are spending a considerable amount of time in gyms (I occasionally visit the John Kruk/Daly camp though). I don't think Tiger wins Southern Hills in that heat w/o the conditioning. I think this will give him a bit more longevity than Jack.

[myndcraft]

Well new to golf and being only 29 I'm going to have to go with Tiger.. Ask my grandfather though and I'm sure he would say the golden-bear.

[KCNick]

Tiger hands down

[kk353]

i agree.

the science is a lot better now, but Tiger brings a whole new 'sports' mentality and training to golf.

[cdoug55]

Unfortunately, I am only 28 and did not witness Jack in his prime, so I cannot totally speak from experience. I would say Tiger "will be the greatest", although I would argue that he may already be the greatest just because of what he can do. The man is just uncanny with what he can do with a golf ball and the creativity that he brings to the course. I am sure Jack in his prime could do some amazing things, but I don't think there is anyone who can play the variety of shots that Tiger has in his bag. I also think the mental game that he has is probably 90% of the reason he wins, the man is so committed and mentally focused that it is scary.

I also don't agree with some of the comments made in this thread. One is that Jack played against a tougher field. I find that hard to believe considering the talent that most of these guys have today. Also someone said Jack was a better all around athlete...no way. First have you seen how fit Tiger is nowadays and he has shown that he is a pretty coordinated individual.

[miche_4]

jack tell tiger beats hes majors records

[Smw72]

I voted for Jack. But i am an Ernie Els fan. I would love to have his smooth swing.

--Scott

[bevski]

For me it's Tiger, no questions asked. :D

[golfer1993]

im definitely gonna have to say tiger but only time will tell

[bevski]

hi golfer1993,

have you voted in the poll? i just voted and most of us think it's Tiger. Hurray!

bevski

[beverku]

Gotta go with Tiger. Trying to get rid of the newbie status.

[nater]

I voted for Tiger, but that was without the benefit of ever having seen Jack play (besides highlight replays).

[pete_braith]

to some extent this is a push. it's not that jack's competition was tougher per say, but there were more players who could close the deal. tiger doesn't really have that with the fields today, no disrespect to phil and vijay or other top players. tiger is the best putter for par from 15 feet in, no questions asked that is his big thing right now. mentally they both just wont accept losing so that's a push. when it's said and done i believe it will be tiger, but not by much.

[Elsfan]

I would like to see Tiger win a major from other then first place in the final round.

[Guest]

If I have to choose today, I take Jack. I personally don't put alot of weight into the equipment, course design/layout/, depth of competition aspects of the argument and opt for the intangible aspects of the game (like heart, discipline, pressure play, sheer will). I view the former elements as a wash. These men play(ed) the best competition using the best equipment available on the most challenging courses of the time. Heck, Jack and Tiger are so good at hitting a golf ball they could probably beat me using my wifes' Eureka Upright.

To me, it comes down to mano-e-mano on Sunday. The epic clash of the titans. If it's just these two, I say Jack wins his fair share and maybe more. Tiger, while an awesome frontrunner and astounding talent, hasn't shown he can close the deal from behind (usually too far ahead). Maybe this comes later in the career, but for now it's The Golden Bear.