Why Doesn't Tiger Hire a Mental Coach?

[Chipless]

It seems so obvious that Tiger's back physically this year, but an inconsistent mess mentally.  Why doesn't he hire a team of the best mental coaches around and get his mind up to par with his physical capabilities?

[David in FL]

It seems so obvious that Tiger's back physically this year, but an inconsistent mess mentally.  Why doesn't he hire a team of the best mental coaches around and get his mind up to par with his physical capabilities?

Isn't he already the most mentally tough player in the history of the game? At least that seems to be the overwhelming consensus.....

[Chipless]

Isn't he already the most mentally tough player in the history of the game? At least that seems to be the overwhelming consensus.....

In the overall average of his career, probably.  But over the last year, definitely not.

[Lihu]

Tiger just had a meltdown, and it made national news.

[MEfree]

Isn't he already the most mentally tough player in the history of the game? At least that seems to be the overwhelming consensus.....

I agree with this.  He might be struggling at the moment, but he still has the most wins and lowest scoring average this season without missing a cut.  (Note- I think a few guys might have a chance to get the scoring title depending on what happens this weekend)

While it is not impossible for him to benefit from a mental coach, I think he is as capable of figuring things out himself as anybody out there.

[MEfree]

I think Stenson should see a mental coach also- prior to this week, he has only won once this season and Tiger has beaten him in 2 of the last 3 playoff events.

[iacas]

Because he probably feels it would:

a) be a waste of money.

b) shatter the idea that he's the mentally toughest guy out there.

[newtogolf]

Based strictly on what I see his mental game is either hurting him or his current swing doesn't have a higher gear that allows him to make up lost ground from bad shots.

In the past watching Tiger when he hit a bad shot or putt he'd follow it up with an amazing shot.  Recently it seems when he hits a bad shot he follows it up with another mistake or mediocre shot that doesn't allow him to recover from his poor shot.  He also seems to lack patience putting, he's rushing his short putts and just doesn't seem comfortable.

[iacas]

Based strictly on what I see his mental game is either hurting him or his current swing doesn't have a higher gear that allows him to make up lost ground from bad shots.

In the past watching Tiger when he hit a bad shot or putt he'd follow it up with an amazing shot.  Recently it seems when he hits a bad shot he follows it up with another mistake or mediocre shot that doesn't allow him to recover from his poor shot.  He also seems to lack patience putting, he's rushing his short putts and just doesn't seem comfortable.

Please define "recently." IIRC hit some bad shots in some of his wins this year, too. All five of 'em.

[JCRuzanski]

So 5 wins, money title, Vardon trophy... but he needs a mental coach... meh.

[newtogolf]

Please define "recently." IIRC hit some bad shots in some of his wins this year, too. All five of 'em.

You're right, recently probably wasn't right word, "sporadically" might be a better word, I was thinking of the Open, PGA and the last two FedEx cup events specifically.  I know he sprinkled in a few good tournaments between those, but it just seems the bad shots carry over longer with him.

[plum]

how do you know he doesnt have one already. you can be sure he would never let that out

[saturday]

Because he probably feels it would: a) be a waste of money. b) shatter the idea that he's the mentally toughest guy out there.

Exactly. Besides, some athletes don't see the same results as all the success stories you hear about. It's like hypnosis to some, works for only a select few.

[Mulligan Jeff]

Who is to say that Tiger doesn't have a mental coach already - he would not divulge that information whatsoever.

[Mr. Desmond]

Oh, let's face it, the bar on Tiger is high, high, high.

5 wins without a major is a Tiger letdown; for everyone else, it's a career year.

The audience is not accustomed to his inconsistency with his short game/putter. The driver? Always an issue to some extent.

Who knows? I can't concern myself with the problems of a multi-millionaire. I'll let him figure it out.

[RonTheSavage]

Tiger needs a mental coach as much as Michael Jordan needed a mental coach. Moving On, nothing to see here.

[saturday]

Tiger needs a mental coach as much as Michael Jordan needed a mental coach. Moving On, nothing to see here.

^^^

[beachbreak]

I believe Tiger's problem is too much "HOW" and not enough "WHERE".

Nothing Foley is teaching him comes naturally, from the strong grip to the bent over posture to the super shallow move coming into the ball.

It rears it's ugly head on the big stage..........weekends at the majors.

It's leaked into his putting stroke too.

Dump Foley and go back to what his Dad taught him.

If the Foley method was to keep his body from injury, it's not working.

The guy was on his knees after hitting a shot for crying out loud, not to mention the neck, elbow, achilles............

Free the mind and fill it with the simple concepts his Dad and Butch taught.

He needs to give himself a chance to win the 5 majors.