I agree with most of what Jeff says. A golfer is ALWAYS tinkering with things in the swing. Major overhauls? Just tough to commit to and a lot of players don't have the luxury of time to go through them and stick with them. But the one difference with this 3rd overhaul is he didn't start this adventure while on top of the world. The first time he changed his swing was after he won the masters by 12 shots in 97'. The second overhaul I'm not sure exactly the date but believe it was around the time he just had the greatest single seasons a PGA tour player ever had. This time he was at rock bottom and seemed to me a little hint of desperation to find something....anything. It's just not working. And the concept of the changes are light years different than what made him the best golfer on planet earth in the late 90's early 00's. And even during the changes previously he was never this far out of contention for this long. He'd still figure out a way to contend and be near the top even during the overhauls. This time he is noplace to be found but middle to 2nd half of the pack (every week). And above all else....... what is up with his putting? I've never seen him miss so many putts in my life. He's rolling it pretty good it seems, but you NEVER saw that back in the day. Inside 10 feet you could get up and get a drink. You didn't have to watch if he made it or not. It was a given. Bunker play and short game in general looked a little shaky as well. That has nothing to do with the full golf swing.
I'm not going to dispute anything you say, NY. Not at all. I just respectively have a difference of opinion on what "down" means. If where Tiger is, currently, is "down"......there's herds of TOUR players who would love to be "there". Time will tell. Great discussion, BTW.
NYB and Jeff you guys know way more than me. Do you think if he would have stuck with Harmon he would be in better shape?
This is only my opinion.....but, yes. TODAY, he would be in better shape (more titles). Next year? 5 years from now? I'd probably have a different opinion. He's trying to "grow" as a golfer. Things you can get away with at 30........you likely can't get away with at 40. And, on and on and on. I used to cringe to hear people say it. But, I don't have any issues when I say it, now. He's the best that's ever touched a club. And, IMO, he is FAR from being "done".
It would be fun to see what Hogan, Hagen, Snead, Jones, Watson, Nicklaus, Palmer, Player, Crenshaw, Norman, etc. could have done with the same technology that Tiger has had. I would say that Tiger is the best to have played modern equipment and courses. I dont know that he would qualify as the best ball striker ever. That will probably be debated forever. I am also not so optimistic that he is going to ever dominate the sport again.
I would, too (so would every other golf fan). The probelm is (and I know I did it), it's tough to compare golfers of different eras. Tiger wouldn't have "necessarily" have been a dominant player with the equipment of yesteryear. It just didn't cater to one of his main strengths.........his physical build and strength. With the exception of Gary Player on that list (and, he was part of an era that DID benefit from fitness.....equipment-wise), the rest never gave physical fitness much of their time. The game's just changed in the last several years. It used to be played closer to the ground. And, it used to be a ball striker's game (moreso than it is, now). Now, it's won and lost within 100yds of the green. As good as Tiger is at ball-striking, he's better (by leaps and bounds) around the green. With the old equipment, came shorter courses. The thing that makes what Tiger's done so incredible to me is......the level of competition he's been faced with, week in and week out. That was lacking (the depth) in the early days of golf. I kind of look at golf as cyclical. My idea of a cycle is likely longer than some of yours. He's (IMO) in the midst of a self-induced and self-applied correction. I'm not ready to say he's "down".
I can do that on the first 6, you suck. So golf pros is a 1 plane swing better for a golfer as they get older? Tiger's swing has become flatter through the years
Ok that is what I thought. I don't know the correct term, but he is changing the plane of his swing again, he is going higher.
Light years ahead of where is he now IMO. That was Tiger (the Harmon days). What they created in his golf swing made him the most unbelievable dominant golfer in the history of the sport. And it wouldnt' have slowed down. Not a bit. I'm just not buying this half arsed stack and tilt steep/upright front footed swing concept for tiger. It isn't working and not going to. His backswing is long, he is out of rythm and has ZERO way of getting out of a funk during the round. What ever happened to the stinger he developed. I think one year in the British Open that was the only shot he played for the final round. Havent' seen it forever. Maybe he won't be stuck as much with the guidance of Foley. Yippee! I'd rather be stuck for 3 or 4 tee shots and fight through it on my way to another major championship than finish T44 at a place that should be named after me where I won 7 times. Time will tell.
By the way for what it's worth the fear factor is gone too. These young guns dont' care if he lurks anymore. I really think that gave him an edge. His name climbed the first page and the ones ahead of him backed up to him and waved as Tiger passed them. I think those days are over. He's human now.
Dude....he hasn't gone all "Chip Beck - layup" on us.....lol. I think they still fear him. I wish they didn't. But, I think they do. Do they fear him like they used to? Conceded. No, they don't. I'll even give you that some of these guys in the last couple years may not fear him (they don't know any differently). But, again,........our definitions of "down" are different. I have no idea what the answer is.....but, what's his current world ranking? **Edit - I just checked. He's ranked (in this 'down' era) THIRD in the world.....and is the No. 1 ranked US player on the TOUR.
lol And falling rapidly........ Don't get me wrong, I hope he pulls out of it .... I really do. I enjoyed watching him dominate. I'm not a Tiger basher. More of a fan if anything.
I tried forever not to like him. And, I still don't like him all that much. But, that has more to do with the media than with him. Not his fault. I could be all wrong about him coming back (to where he was.....or closer). But, if I were betting...........................
