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

[Bogey317]

My vote goes to Tiger

[FHopper]

Apples to Oranges. Eras change and you just can't equate the two. Tiger is by far the better golfer but who knows what a 33 year old Jack would be like on today's tour. First he would have to broaden his game a bunch, but he probably could with today's equipment and training.

[AspiringGolfPro]

Well, actually I don't know but I'm rooting for Tiger.

[ALeeBarbs]

At the end of his career, i don't see how tiger won't be considered the greatest. Its always hard to compare from differenet generations though.

[JP Page]

Tiger all the way

[Keith Tobberman]

I had never seen Jack play live in his prime. I know Tiger is excellent and an extreme role model and image for golf. Jack was very classy and a kind man, however, Tiger Woods has done more for golf than anyone else ever....period.

[SQ Bimmer]

Tough question. It is easy to point out that Tiger has better mechanics, equipment, etc, purely because he is a man of the times. However, when comparing the spirit of the two golfers, and the legacy behind them, I am going to have to say that Jack encompasses that spirit in a different way, and IMO a better way.

Ehh, but I currently look up to Tiger, so I voted for him. :)

EDIT: BTW I was vote 1337 for Tiger:



HAHA That must be a good sign, that is if anyone knows what "1337" stands for. ;)

[sethro5hc]

tiger is the man

[jefftommy06]

I do believe when it is all said and done it will be Tiger, but right now even Tiger will say Jack is the best because of the Majors.

[krautfed 03]

Actually, I like Ben Hogan!!!

[ET-Taylor]

Jack nicklaus he didn't have the equipment of the new players if he did he would win everything today if he was at his peak

[sonicblue]

Jack nicklaus he didn't have the equipment of the new players if he did he would win everything today if he was at his peak

Weakest argument EVER. This just in: ALL of Tiger's opponents have the same equipment advantage, the competitive field is still level in that regard. Golf courses are ALL ramped up, not only for technology, but specifically FOR TIGER. The courses Tiger plays are SO much harder than those that Jack played. Even at his peak, Jack would need all the available technology just to compete on today's courses. Tossing aside his hickory shafted driver for a graphite R9 wouldn't catapult Jack to the top, it would simply let him keep up with the courses changes and make him competitive.

Oh, and for the record, while at Stanford, it is WELL documented that Tiger was THE strongest pound-for-pound athlete in the entire school. There is simply NO way that you could say Jack was stronger, not at any point in his career. MAYBE he was farmboy strong, and certainly relative to the general fat-assness that used to be prevalent in golfers 40 years ago, whereas today's golfers are more fit, but simply Jack v. Tiger? No contest. However, current internet research shows Tiger's bench is over 300, but likely not 350. Still no contest.

[sonicblue]

I do believe when it is all said and done it will be Tiger, but right now even Tiger will say Jack is the best because of the Majors.

Tiger, of all people, is LEAST likely to say he's the greatest. Not that he is THE most humble person in the world, but even knows enough to have the humility to acquiesce to Jack (for now). Think about it, has there EVER been a person who, when asked the question "Are you the greatest to ever play?" has actually said yes? Even when there's hardly a doubt? Michael Jordan is, by a lot of opinions, unequivocally the greatest ever to play basketball. The most complete player, with a load of championship rings and remarkable athleticism and physical gifts....and I've never heard him do anything but bow to the other greats of the game. Conversely, the Bill Russels and Kobes and LeBrons, it seems, will all quickly tell you that MJ is the greatest. Just like one day, if he hasn't already, Jack will be forced to say the same about Tiger.

With all of the powerful drives, the towering 6-irons over lakes, the 50-yard slice around the trees, the magical chips up and down the hill just in the lip, the clutch triple-breaking island green putts, and the one-legged major-tying-to-go-on-to-win birdie putts...and then when he hits the 100 wins/20 majors mark, there will not be any argument. And he will reach that mark. When you account for how hard it is to win a major, any major, let alone multiples, and how hard it is to win 10 tournaments vs. 20 vs. 80....Tiger's win tally won't have beaten the others, it will have OBLITERATED the previous marks. Forget money, b/c THAT is not comparable across eras, not even a little. Forget charity, Tiger does a TON, maybe more than Jack b/c of the money, who knows, they've both been great for the game. Tiger jumped on this game as a toddler, he tore throught he junior circuit, dominated the amateur fields and now is torching the pro circuit. He makes everyone else an 'also-ran' on Thursday morning. Maybe Tom Watson, e.g., was so good b/c he wasn't intimidated by Jack? Maybe Ernie Els would be a 'great' if Tiger didn't demoralize him (not saying that's the case, just hypothesizing)?

[KillaK]

Tiger, the game is more global and more people play it so tiger goes up against more competition that jack did - also technology allows other players to have close to the same length that tiger does.

[jsmit209]

Tiger...sorry Jack, its just a different game today

[mcd3inc]

I had to gauge this prime against prime...Tiger is surely doing more in his prime than Jack did...Jack is still the man though.

[ET-Taylor]

Plus is there anyone else from today you could class as a great in Nicklaus's time there was palmer, trevino, Player etc

[rockinrebel]

Until Tiger passes 18 majors it's Mr. Nicklaus for me.
I have a distinct feeling Tiger will go well beyound 18.
Then he will be the greatest.