Is Tiger Good or Bad For Golf??

[Myron]

I think everyone will acknowledge that when Woods started on the PGA tour everyone thought it was a great thing. It brought attention to the game, it brought a lot of black kids aboard etc. But I think now everyone is just sick of Tiger winning all the time. This tournament would be a classic if Tiger weren't in it. But as it is, Tiger is virtually a walkover right now. And it was the same way at past Grand Slam events. Those that want to see Mickelson get his first major or watch some upstarts are having their interests quashed because Tiger is so far ahead. And to make things worse, he seems to be THE ONLY STORY, that the TV casts follow.

It seems like other players are getting annoyed too and feel that the PGA is altering their schedule to ensure Tiger's success and also give him preferential treatment. If you heard today on the telecast, Sergio essentially said that they should have stopped play due to all the standing water on the course (earlier in the day it was raining but the course was not as drenched). Sergio suggested that if Tiger were there he simply would have gone to an official, told them the course was unplayable and they would have halted play. But because it wasn't Tiger and they wanted to ensure Tiger maintained his lead, they made them play on.

Also Chris DiMarco said that with the length and setup of the course "I along with 90% of the other golfers", have no chance. While Tiger can go for almost every par 5 in 2, very few others can do so. While many have to hit driver, 4 iron, Tiger can hit 3 wood, 7 iron. This makes it that much more difficult since a 3 wood and 7 iron are much easier to control.

I think a lot of it is sour grapes but I think a lot is legitimate concerns too. Tiger's smugness doesn't help either. If the PGA doesn't watch out IMO, everything Tiger did that built up the sport, will do the same to destroy it.

 

[Neemer]

Also Chris DiMarco said that with the length and setup of the course "I along with 90% of the other golfers", have no chance. While Tiger can go for almost every par 5 in 2, very few others can do so. While many have to hit driver, 4 iron, Tiger can hit 3 wood, 7 iron. This makes it that much more difficult since a 3 wood and 7 iron are much easier to control.

Well, cry me a river! Are we supposed to feel sorry fe weior all the other players. Why doesn't DiMarco and the other poor saps hit the weight room? Instead of complaining, how bouts trying to improve in critical areas such as strength, conditioning, and overall fitness. I'm sure Tiger is on some sort of exercising regimen and so could they.

Truthfully, there's probably not one PGA PRO that practices his game more than Tiger Woods.

 

[fletcher]

the word pro means to be the best,if people can't take it get the hell out of the game. i love the guy that will rip your heart out to win and not afraid to show it alittle. maybe fuzzy and the good ole boys should of ate more chicken and ran there backwords ass mouths less,now anyone that presents a challege he just kicks them in the sack and good for him,when your on top everyone bitches and makes an excuse if they don't have the balls to challlenge you. so i think the puss boys are the ones bad for golf,maybe they should try chess or video games less pressure.

 

[yyz]

He will always be great for the game.

I love to watch him make effortless plays day in, and day out. He has earned his place, and deserves the praise that he gets.

Too many golfers ar trying to beat Tiger, instead of trying to play golf.

 

[Cartman88]

Tiger Woods is without doubt good for the game of golf and probably always will be.

He is a champion both on and off the course and every sport would love to have someone like Tiger Woods as a representative.

I find it hard to understand how anyone could call him "smug". He may have a certain confidence/arrogance but that is part of his killer instinct and what makes him such a great golfer.

Considering the ongoing media attention I think he has remained very level headed.

When he does lose he is generally very sincere and quick to acknowledge if someone else has performed well or if someone else has outplayed him.

As for the other players they can complain all they like but the bottom line is a new standard has been set and it is up to them to rise to the challenge.

 

[Cartman88]

I also laugh when I hear comments such as "with the length and setup of the course I along with 90% of the other golfers have no chance".

If they feel this way they need to hit the weight room (as Neemer said) or spend some more at the driving range.

 

[Jackal]

Hitting the weight room or driving range does not translate to Tiger Type Length. Best that will do is add 5-10 yards off the box... Shorter courses would open up a larger amount of possible winners and Tiger would still have benefit of his length via hitting all the par 5's in two and smacking three wood wedge all day long...

This is a tough topic. But, you can't try and punish Tiger just because he is that much better. Hell, I am long off the tee. But you don't hear me complain that the course is too tough because my 300+ errant drives find rough, timber, water, traps, etc etc... If only I could find a wide open, hazard free, 100% fairway course, I may be a player

 

[JediCapper]

well he must be good for golf because thats all i keep hearing when i go to sports bars....tiger this...tiger that....how will he do here...or there....I get sick of it

 

[dawgball]

I walked into my mother's house Sunday afternoon when Tiger was on 11. I watched the rest of the tournament with my mother (who had zero interest n golf before Tiger came along) beside me tensing up every time the ball left his club until the ball stopped rolling.

Now to get my mother to watch any sporting event outside of Kentucky basketball is a feat in itself. To get her to actually care what's going on is something only Tiger Woods could do.

And that my friends is good for the game!

 

[AR182]

I agree with everyone here that,of course, Tiger is good for the sport.He is also a good role model for the kids.

 

[boilermaker]

I will agree with all that Woods is the best player ,but I get so sick of the way the media sucks farts out of his:moon: even when he is not leading the tournament. ESPN is by far the worst at this but the others are right behind them. All this crap makes me root against him.

 

[Billy]

cartman, you said it best

cartman, you said it best

anyone involved in the game of golf knows that Tiger Woods
pushed the game of golf into unchartered waters....this type
of individual only comes along once in maybe 50 years....and
the game needs him more than he needs the game at this
point in time.....few people know how hard he pushes himself...
the guy can bench press over 300 lbs....he is not only good for
golf, but sports in general, and I honestly believe he has pulled
people of different color a little closer together, which I would
like to see more of....

 

[maverick2112]

Billy you wrote.......

the guy can bench press over 300 lbs

Can you tell me where you read this. Just curious

 

[Billy]

maverick.....

maverick.....

I am a golf course superintendent, and read a lot of material
concerning the game....can I point you to a specific article, no...
but I've read it in several articles, heard several announcers
talk about it....it is common knowledge amongst die hard golfers,
not that I am one....I know they talked about it during the
Masters, because I was tuned in all 4 days....trust me, the guy
has a very intense workout schedule, and I believe that's what
put's him over the top, that and his mental edge over all other
competitors....

 

[maverick2112]

I have heard he has a very intense workout schedule, but I was just curious about him bench pressing over 300lbs. I lift all the time and for Tigers size and the length of his arms, 300lbs is pretty impressive. I have noticed guys with shorter arms have a advantage when it comes to bench pressing.

 

[JT]

How can he not be a benefit to the game? If the others don't want to pay the price or don't have the guts that is their problem. If the Sergios, Phils and others had the balls of a Trevino or Palmer in their prime they would win a few. I wouldn't be happy if I was Phil on sunday, I would be PISSED. To each his own.

 

[buddy]

buddy vs. Tiger

buddy: "How many you givin' me?"

Tiger: "How many you want?'

buddy: "Just enough to win."

Tiger: "I feel like a 65 today."

buddy: "I am 65. I feel like a 130 today."

Tiger: "Let's play fair. I'll give you 4 a hole."

buddy: "I'm scaired."