Tiger had some interesting comments after the US PGA. Here’s some of what he said,
”I was just trying to be, you know, a little bit happy out there and enjoy it,” Woods said. ”Unfortunately, that’s not how I play.”
”I was trying to enjoy the process,” Woods said. ”But that’s not how I play. I play full systems go, all out, intense, and that’s how I won 14 of these things.”
First off, “trying” anything is a recipe for disaster. It’s sort of good to know that the greatest golfer in history struggles when he “tries” – makes him human and a bit like the rest of us. We all know how futile it is to want something really badly and then try too hard. Almost always leads to stuffing up.
I’m really hoping Tiger learns a lesson here. If he wants to play his best and keep winning majors then he needs to return to his pre scandal attitude/mindset. Sure, he and his team are in damage control after all what has happened, but surely they are smart enough to let him play his way.
There’s gunna be the traditionalists that will say Tiger needs to pull his head in, smile more and stop acting aggressive/angry/fired up on the course. These same people also have marveled at his brilliance over the years – they applaud his great play but bitch and moan when he does something they don’t agree with. You definitely can’t please everyone.
Woods became the most popular and dominate athlete on the planet doing it his way. If this means the odd dummy spit then so be it. If he struggles to play “happy” then he needs to get rid of that concept and replace it with something that feels right to him.
11 Comments
Lukey
August 20, 2012I think you have summed it up in a nutshell Cam Tiger was at his best when he plain just went for it and you would end up with intensity,aggression some laughter but most of all you were gobsmacked by his brilliance.Can we have the old Tiger back.
Cheers Lukey
Cameron
August 20, 2012Lukey: I think he will find it. The lessons learned this year are a step in the right direction. I rarely make predictions but here’s one – he will be dangerous in the Ryder Cup – match play format suits him and he will definitely get closer to what he wants.
Grayden Provis
August 20, 2012Insightful piece. I particularly liked your last comment: “If he struggles to play “happy” then he needs to get rid of that concept and replace it with something that feels right to him”. I think the emphasis is on SOMETHING. It probably won’t be exactly what he did before. We can’t go back in life. We can’t recapture the past – its past. His life has changed irrevocably and his golf probably has as well. I doubt he can be “the same” again but that doesn’t mean he can’t be GOOD again! Sounds like he’s still got a fair bit of thinking to do though.
Cameron
August 20, 2012GP: I agree. He definitely shouldn’t go searching for something as that hardly ever works. But I believe he has to listen to himself more than the entourage and coaches. TW knows best.
Andrew
August 20, 2012I have found it is a matter of finding the level of intent, attention, concentration, the optimal state of mind that allows me to play at my best. Some golfers enjoy the game more if they are talking and laughing in between shots some prefer to be more introverted maybe appearing more intense. Enjoying golf can be mistaken as not caring. As you have said in your blogs it is a matter of experimenting and finding that level that works for you.
Congratulations on the impending arrival of a little golfgooroo.
Cameron
August 20, 2012Andrew: Just keep playing golf until you find what works. Awareness is key…
Thanks for posting and your kind words.
Cam280
August 21, 2012I reckon he should stop having a sneak peek in his putting!.
Adam
May 2, 2013i always liked rory mcilroy. seems like his swing hurts though. i hope rory stays automatic. I remember in the 2012 PGA Championship he won by 8 strokes if i remember correctly. Tiger was way behind from what i remember.
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