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

[GeeWhiz54]

It's a tough call, and it's always hard to compare players across generations like that.

I'd say for what Tiger has done for the game beyond playing, I'd have to go with him. He's brought a new generation of athletes to the game and ensuring that it has longevity

[RocketSauce]

i honestly dont have an opinion on this subject because i think its too hard to compare the two since they played in different eras. but i just saw an interview with Mark Calcavecchia recently and he said his opinion is that Tiger is the better player...not my opinion, just sayin....

[Kbray]

I have to go with Tiger just because he is soooo close, and once he breaks Jacks record there will not be anymore debate. The guys is playing in an era that is producing the toughest competition in the history of the game.

[Bouse]

How can you compare, I think if you had them both in their prime together playing right now you will find that Jack will come out ontop...He is much more conservative and golf smart with his game...

[og512]

Tiger...

Of all the video I've seen of both of them, I think Tiger is the better golfer and I think he faces stiffer competition than Jack did imo.

[mbowler]

Being a relatively young guy myself at 29, I'm obviously choosing Tiger.

[se7en]

slight different characteristics in these two...I, personally, like Tiger better for his aggressiveness

[Elvisliveson]

Tiger...

I guess you couldn't get your hand on any video of Nicklaus from the mid-1960s through the mid-1970s then.

On you other point, without dispute, Nicklaus faced more HOF golfers in his day then Tiger does now. The players at the top (Palmer, Player, Casper, Trevino, Irwin, Watson, Seve, etc..) were killers. Where are those guys on today's tour? Nicklaus wouldn't have been outdueled in back to back majors by the likes of Zach Johnson and Angel Cabrera, I can tell you that.

[golfmore]

I haven't read all the posts on this, but Tiger has such a high level of physical fitness training, that puts his physical condition a cut above Jack at the same time in their careers. It could have won Jack a few more tournaments if he had been working out like Tiger & eating energy bars instead of moderate workouts & ice cream.

[Leeds]

Tiger, Tiger, Tiger!

[spmurph]

I never really got to see that much of Jack, but I think the attention and excitement which Tiger has brought to the game will never be matched.

[VOX]

It is said that Jack had 37 top twos in professional majors "in his spare time". He was a full time dad and a part time golfer. Eldrick is clearly a full time golfer and in much better condition.

Most people probably don't realize that, although Jack may not have looked it, he was a much better natural athlete than Tiger. I believe that he was recruited to Ohio State for football and baseball.

[jballer78]

Tiger is the man.

He has inspired a whole new generation of golfers to take up the game.

[misty_mountainhop]

It is said that Jack had 37 top twos in professional majors "in his spare time". He was a full time dad and a part time golfer. Eldrick is clearly a full time golfer and in much better condition.

That last bit...for real?? Makes Jack even better in my book.

A lot of comments here re. Tiger inspiring people to play the game. Tiger has indeed inspired many to take up golf (which is fantastic and I have nothing except admiration for pretty much all he does), but does that really come into the comparison between these two?

[iacas]

It is said that Jack had 37 top twos in professional majors "in his spare time". He was a full time dad and a part time golfer. Eldrick is clearly a full time golfer and in much better condition.

Let the exaggeration of the feats of our heroes of the past begin...

[allin]

It is said that Jack had 37 top twos in professional majors "in his spare time". He was a full time dad and a part time golfer. Eldrick is clearly a full time golfer and in much better condition.

I believe that comes from an old Chi Chi Rodriquez one liner, something like(Jack became a legend in his spare time.) I believe it was more a comment on the number of non major tournaments he played and all of his outside business interests. I didn't know you could be a part time dad, and still be married?

[Parker0065]

Tiger is the man.

Just my opinion but what I've observed in the past 35 years of golf: Yes, Tiger has inspired a whole generation of new golfers that don't fix thier ball marks and think they deserve to tear up the course just because they "Paid thier money",,,Yes,,,Thanks a lot Tiger,,,Sigh!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jack played much tougher compitetion that had no intention of backing down or being afraid. Things are so different between Jack and Tiger's era that it is impossible to compare them. If Jack was 20 years old today and was told you better look like Atlas and hit the ball +300 yards I'm sure he would have bled until he achieved it. Oops,,Oh that's right,,,Jack was hitting it over 300 yards with inferior equipment back in the 1960's,,,My Bad!!!!!! Tiger would need a LOT of work to hang with Jack if he could get in a time machine and go back to his era!!! Is Tiger the greatest player ever of the "Bomb & Gouge" era? Absolutely!!! Golf today is simular to baseball but instead of the players being on steroids, the clubs and balls are on steroids! Sorry to all the Tiger lover's,,,I'm honestly not trying to be mean,,,I just don't like him, nor do I think he's been all that great for golf as a whole! Like I said before, that is my opinion!!!

[tonyq217]

You're entitled to your opinion of course, but putting the blame of the golfers he helped bring to the game is bit unfair.