Hank Haney on Tiger

[golfro]

Am I late to this article? I apologize if there was already a discussion on this but I just read the Hank Haney interview and found it very interesting.

In part, it seemed liek the article wasn't too much in Tiger's favor. He talks of his frustrations with Tiger and the stress that ultimately led to him resigning...however, you can sense a lot of admiration in the way Haney speaks of Tiger.

At one point, Haney says that he doesn't view Tiger as one of the greatest golfers ever...he views him as one of the best athletes to have ever existed. Strong statement there...

I think it was good for Haney to clear some misconceptions. He states his frustrations with the blame he got for Tiger's downfall...but he also introduces some interesting stats on Tiger's game play with him vs back in early 2000.

Anyway, thoughts from anyone who read the article?

Here si the articel: http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2010-08/hank-haney

[BallStriker]

I got the feeling that the interview responses were a bit self-serving to Hank....but maybe justifiably so. He very much did praise Tiger in a lot of ways, but I get the feeling that the Tiger/Hank relationship will not be more than pleasantries when their paths cross in the future...but who really cares about that stuff anyway.

I also thought it interesting that Hank indicated that he would win 25 majors (in the article) and in a different situation (the roundtable with Harmon, Ledbettor, McLean) Hank says that Jack's record "isn't right around the corner for Tiger...those championships are not easy to win...".

[golfro]

I got the feeling that the interview responses were a bit self-serving to Hank....but maybe justifiably so. He very much did praise Tiger in a lot of ways, but I get the feeling that the Tiger/Hank relationship will be more than pleasantries when their paths cross in the future...but who really cares about that stuff anyway.

Agreed, they were a bit self serving. I thinK Haney really took the opportunity to clear some smoke from the recent year of all the criticism he received in what many claim "ruining Tiger's swing" but the story goes in much deeper than the surface it seems.

[iacas]

I think Hank came off poorly in the interview. I think he owes Tiger a lot. Hank wasn't really a "top three" instructor before Tiger and I doubt he'd have cracked the top three without him (likely it would have been Harmon, Leadbetter, and whoever Tiger had as his instructor instead of Hank).

[ddalet]

I think Hank came off poorly in the interview. I think he owes Tiger a lot. Hank wasn't really a "top three" instructor before Tiger and I doubt he'd have cracked the top three without him (likely it would have been Harmon, Leadbetter, and whoever Tiger had as his instructor instead of Hank).

For once, I agree with you!

It felt an awful lot like he was defending himself like a cornered cat. Should've never conducted that interview.

[GolfBear]

I think Hank came off poorly in the interview. I think he owes Tiger a lot. Hank wasn't really a "top three" instructor before Tiger and I doubt he'd have cracked the top three without him (likely it would have been Harmon, Leadbetter, and whoever Tiger had as his instructor instead of Hank).

I agree, prior to Tiger signing on with him, very few people had ever heard of Hank Haney. If it wasn't for Tiger Haney would just be another anonymous driving range pro living in obscurity down in Texas. Without Tiger's fame Haney's not writing for Golf Digest and he doesn't have a show on the Golf Channel.

When Tiger was working with Harmon he was crushing the field and winning majors by 8 strokes. Harmon was famous before Tiger and I don't think Tiger's switch has hurt him at all.

[Fatphil]

I don't know much about pro golf but I can see BS/CYA. His schools were taking a hit bcz the soccer moms think he was mixed up in all the whoring around. He's trying to protect his investments.

[laconic517]

I agree, prior to Tiger signing on with him, very few people had ever heard of Hank Haney. I

You are crazy. He woudlnt have a show on the golf channel but hed never be an anonymous pro. He was making BANK being a golf instructor. He wouldnt be known outside of the hardcore golf community, but there are only really 2 that are (Butch Harmon and Leadbetter)

[GolfBear]

You are crazy. He woudlnt have a show on the golf channel but hed never be an anonymous pro. He was making BANK being a golf instructor. He wouldnt be known outside of the hardcore golf community, but there are only really 2 that are (Butch Harmon and Leadbetter)

Ok, so maybe "anonymous" was a bit strong of a word. He may have been making "bank" but I doubt he'd be writing for anyone or have 1/4 the name recognition he does now.

[breakout89]

I agree with everyone that has previously stated that Haney was a bit self-serving. It's like he took the safe route to every question, but still came up with an answer that glorified him in some way.

To go on to say that Tiger is one of the best athletes that has ever existed is a pretty ridiculous statement. There are 3rd string basketball players in Europe, that would never dream of being in the NBA, that have more "athletic" ability than Tiger Woods. Not saying that he isn't an athlete, because he is, but I've always viewed Tiger as an outsanding "competitor". One of the greatest "competitors" the sport's world has ever seen? Yes. One of the greatest "athletes" the sport's world has ever seen? No.

[yimpydimpy]

I agree with everyone that has previously stated that Haney was a bit self-serving. It's like he took the safe route to every question, but still came up with an answer that glorified him in some way.

Could you go ahead and post your definition of an athlete please? Its obviously not the same as me or probably anyone else for that matter.

[golfro]

I agree with everyone that has previously stated that Haney was a bit self-serving. It's like he took the safe route to every question, but still came up with an answer that glorified him in some way.

Think it really depends on your definition of an athlete. To me, an athlete is a competitor within the realms of his/her sport. I don't necessarily think Tiger is the greatest athlete EVER but I think he definitely is up there on the list. You can't quite compare apples to oranges and compare Tiger to Jordan or something but as far as modern sports achievements go, Tiger definitely deserves the title of one of the greatest athletes. My other vote goes to Federer.

[Slammin' Sam]

Could you go ahead and post your definition of an athlete please? Its obviously not the same as me or probably anyone else for that matter.

Whatever it is , it's not too far from my concept of an athlete. He may have overstated the case, but his point that Haney's claim that Tiger is one of the best athletes that ever existed wasn't lost on me. I think Haney laid it on a bit thick myself.

[c. lassiter]

To go on to say that Tiger is one of the best athletes that has ever existed is a pretty ridiculous statement. There are 3rd string basketball players in Europe, that would never dream of being in the NBA, that have more "athletic" ability than Tiger Woods.

That's one of the silliest things I've ever read (and I've read a lot of silly things).

[breakout89]

Think it really depends on your definition of an athlete. To me, an athlete is a competitor within the realms of his/her sport. I don't necessarily think Tiger is the greatest athlete EVER but I think he definitely is up there on the list. You can't quite compare apples to oranges and compare Tiger to Jordan or something but as far as modern sports achievements go, Tiger definitely deserves the title of one of the greatest athletes. My other vote goes to Federer.

Here is my way of thinking. I believe Lebron James is an EXCEPTIONAL athlete. This guy is a freak. You could put him on a basketball court, a football field, or even a soccer field and I believe he would excel. He is fast, quick, strong, coordinated, and has a 44” vertical. Do you honestly believe Tiger could compete in any other sport, professionally? Yes, he is one of golf’s best athletes, but to say he is a world class athlete is crazy.

In my opinion the world “athlete” encompasses so many different people that play so many different sports. Usain Bolt, Lance Armstrong, Michael Jordan…those are the type of guys that I think of when someone says “athlete”. I’m not trying to bash Tiger in any way. Tiger is an incredible golfer and has focus that is possibly unmatched in any sport by anyone. I just don’t think he is a world class “athlete”.

[golfro]

Here is my way of thinking. I believe Lebron James is an EXCEPTIONAL athlete. This guy is a freak. You could put him on a basketball court, a football field, or even a soccer field and I believe he would excel. He is fast, quick, strong, coordinated, and has a 44” vertical. Do you honestly believe Tiger could compete in any other sport, professionally? Yes, he is one of golf’s best athletes, but to say he is a world class athlete is crazy.

again. you obviously define athleticism in a different way. you define it in a much more literal general way. to you, an athlete is someone who has exceptional speed, dexterity, generally physical abilities.

i define an athlete WITHIN their sport. Tiger, within the sport of golf, which requires VERY much different physical abilities than basketball, is one of the greatest athletes ever. Of course Tiger isn't going to be the best basketball player. Neither would Lebron be an exceptional golfer. It takes a very special set of skills to excel at either sport. Lebron basketball...and Tiger golf. Both I find to be exceptional athletes because they excel at their given sport. Of course if you define athleticism with a literal definition, Tiger doesn't run or jump and doesn't demonstrate his speed, etc...but by that definition, he's not an athlete at all. You have to define athleticism within their realm/sport. I think this is what Haney was trying to state. Tiger has the determination, maturity, exccellence and understanding of a SPECIFIC sport that he excels at, and thats what makes him one of the best athletes ever. To negate him as a great athlete cuz he doesn't have a 44" vertical is just silly.

[nuck81]

Tiger is a pretty good all around athlete.

He is an excellent basketball player, and I'm sure he's good at pretty much anything athletic he tries...

[breakout89]

again. you obviously define athleticism in a different way. you define it in a much more literal general way. to you, an athlete is someone who has exceptional speed, dexterity, generally physical abilities.

I agree with you in the sense that you’re measuring one’s athletic ability solely in the specific sport they are participating in. I get were your coming from. Your right, Lebron would probably amount to nothing as far as golf goes, but with sports that require speed, quickness, strength, and agility…I believe he could excel in. I believe Tiger could excel in other sports…maybe baseball and tennis, sports that require the same skill sets as golf does: hand-to-eye coordination, balance, strength, and quickness. However, my point of view of athleticism is not categorized by a specific sport. I look at strength, dexterity, quickness, and all things that are used in different sports. I just believe that people like Jordan, Bolt, and Armstrong have a wider plethora of skills than that of Tiger Woods. We can agree to disagree on our views of the term “athleticism”. Once again, I’m not saying Tiger is not an athlete. Hell, I believe he is the greatest player to ever hold a club in his hand. He is a fierce competitor who’s focus, determination, and ability to come through in clutch is matched by few (by ANY athlete in their respective sport). I don’t want you to think I’m knocking Tiger’s ability as a golfer. We just have different definitions of the term “athlete”, which is fine. These are just my OPINIONS.