Does Tiger Need To Tone It Down?
Sportswriter Rick Reilly took some digs at Tiger Woods and his temper tantrums this week with a posting on ESPN.com (read the article here).
If there were no six-second delay, Tiger Woods would be the reason to invent it. Woods has been this way for years: swearing like a Hooters’ bouncer, trying to bury the bottom of his driver into the tee box, flipping his club end over end the second he realizes his shot is way offline. Only one great player ever threw clubs as a pro — Bobby Jones — and he stopped in his 20s when he realized how spoiled he looked.
Look, in every other case, I think Tiger Woods has been an A-plus role model. Never gets so much as a parking ticket. But this punk act on the golf course has got to stop. If it were my son, I’d tell him the same thing: “Either behave or get off the course.”
So what do YOU think? If you were the PGA Tour commissioner, what would you say to Tiger?
-Scratch the Caveman
He does, for sure, I like to compare him to Jordon, who talked a lot of trash, but this is a different game and a Gentleman’s game. He needs to mature a bit on the course.
True it is a gentlemans game. but he is a competitive athlete in one of the most mentally challenging games.. its at those times he seems to be a REAL person.. give him a break….
Simply put – yes he does need to stop the profanity and club throwing . . . I’ve been a high school golf coach for years, and kids pick up on this type of behavior. I’ve had to speak to many a teenager for the same type of behavior . . . it’s a bit of a paradox to tell kids, aspire to be a Tiger, but don’t curse and throw your clubs when things don’t turn out the way you wanted.
That being said, tiger is unique in that he has the mentality (and physique) of a NFL linebacker; his goal is to not only win every tournament, but to crush his opponents in the process. . . . NFL linebackers aren’t inclined to say, “Golly gee . . .I hope that didn’t hurt.”
Although tiger may be as popular as some may believe, he really is not that likeable on the golf course. in talking to some of my golfing buddies i find that he is more NOT liked as a person. His skills as an athlete are unquestionably unmatched in this era or any other for that matter but he does not seem to come across as an all round NICE GUY.
There was an incident several years ago when he was playing at the british open and tiger had just finished a par 3 hole on which he ended up in a deep pot bunker and didn’t play the shot very well resulting in a bogey. on the way to the next tee a young boy of about 8 or 9 years of age reached out to touch him as he passed by and tiger drew his arm back in anger and appeared to be almost strike the boy with a backhander.
it may be just the way that i percieved the incident but he could have been a bit more gracious with the lad and since that time i never really had much respect for his people skills.
tiger is a very pleasant frontrunner but when he is struggling with his game it is almost like jeckyl and hyde out there.
just my opinion.
Shame on you Tiger. There is never an excuse for bad behavior. Would Tiger’s dad endorse these actions? I don’t think so. Many young people look up to Tiger as a role model. Do you want our young people growing up thinking this behavior is acceptable?
Yes, he needs to cool it. He acts like a jerk sometimes. When he makes his 10-12 major fistpumps and all his celebrating with his caddy. It’s not that it’s his first victory and it’s a big surprise that he wins. He is the #1 player in the world, ACT IT!!!! Look at the last few winners for example, a fist pump or two, a great big grin a tear or two of joy.., that is plenty. Throwing his clubs, that is not professional at all. I’m sure his father didn’t teach him to act that way.
Competitive is no excuse for the way he acts. Not a role model. Kick him and his buddys like him OUT.
Yes, he needs to remember it’s a game. You have to take the good shots with the bad. NOBODY’S perfect.
Needs to start acting like a man intent on the game instead of the child like behavior and inappropriate language he exhibits on the course in front of millions of impressionable children and nonappreciative adults.
His antics are BS. If you want to cuss like a sailor, go play football. A pro golfer who performs within 5 feet of young kids on a regular basis must not act like that. Grow up Tiger, your kids will appreciate it, and so will the rest of the golf fans.
Frustration, frustration, frustration…that’s what it is when you’re used to do just about everything right then all of a sudden nothing seems to work any more. That is golf and Tiger should know this side of the game. I wonder what his mom told him about his recent actions very unbecoming of the world’s numero uno. Relax Tiger you can do much better than that. You’re still number 1 to your fans.
Surely RTANT because Tiger is playing as you say “the most mentally challenging game” are you suggesting this gives him permission to behave in such a childish manner? There are hundreds of other PGA, LPGA and Senior PGA players you ‘occasionally’ mishit a shot but you seldomm see this behavoiur from them.
As a role model to millions of young golfers in the world (whether he likes it or not) he absolutley needs to get his temper under control. Many times I have sat with my daughter watching golf and have seen Tiger throw his clubs, hit his golf bag with his clubs, swear like a sailor (thank god my daughter can’t read like yet) and pound his driver to the ground after a bad drive. I remember watching him in one tourney this year when he threw his club and almost hit his caddie with it. The golf announcers laughed and said his caddie should “watch out.” I tell my daughter she will NEVER act like this or I will not take her back to the course. I understand he is competing in a very mentally challenging game, but he looks like a spoiled child out there. You have never seen the likes of Ben, Arnie, Jack or Phil act this way and I believe it is time for the PGA commissioner to put a stop to it. I also believe that no one wants to say anything, due to the enormous amount of money Tiger generates. For this reason, TIGER really needs to be the one to take control and realize the bad example he is setting for the young golfers out there. Would he want his own children to act this way? I think not.
I am glad to see someone respond to Tiger’s behavior. I have sent him many e mails about his behavior but I know they probably never reached him or he didn’t care. I give the man his cudos for golf. He is GREAT. The problem is he thinks the talent he has is self made. I am surprise because of his parent’s background that he doesn’t realize that his talent is God given. Using God’s name in vain by saying GOD D…. because he makes a bad shot in front of millions on television with many of them being children is SHAMEFUL and biblically speaking, unforgiving.
So I ask you Tiger, on behalf of Christian folks everywhere, stop shaming your God, apologize (repent), ask for forgiveness, and continue your great work for kids of America through your many programs…and act accordingly.
spoiled! spoiled! spoiled!
I am tired of his whining and cursing. Hit the shot, accept the result. Don’t like the result, try to do better the next time. Last time I checked, it was not the clubs fault. In spite of what analyists say, Woods has several swing faults causing the problem that he needs to work out. And as for his caddy, “the fifth Beatle” well….. to watch the guy you’d think he was the player. Carry the bag, read the yardage and keep a lid on the rest.
Rick Reilly hit it on the spot. He did an “essay” on ABC that said pretty much said the same. I think it was before Tom Watson did his damage in the playoff, and he responded to his poor shots like a true pro (as in professional), which Bobby Jones was not (always an amateur), but even he had enough sense to start acting like one. I’ve dropped an f-bomb and tossed a club now and again, but after seeing Watson’s gentlemanly play, which is how the game is supposed to be played, I’ve decided to change my behavior. The ‘other’ TW should do the same.
Tiger started bringing the NBA to the PGA with his first fist pump. Why is anybody surprised. Some player’s fist pumps are pure excitement but Tiger’s have always been pure “In your face”.
Oh yes I agree with all those who have commented about how bad Tiger’s behavior is, swearing, throwing clubs, acting like a spoiled brat (which he is) but to say he should go be a pro linebacker if he wnts to swear and crush others is not a good point. If he acted that way on the football field there’d be one thing happen… his team mates would kick his butt and he’d soon be looking for another team. Noiw the question.. What should the PGA Commisioner do about Tiger’s ways? Well we all know that he’ll do nothing, its already been mentioned that Tiger creates and draws in to much money so nothing is going to happen. What about letting Nike handle it… they are his sponsor and can control a lot of what he says and does at all times. So a deluge of e-mail to Nike may have some effect. It has worked in the past with other athletes…Just my thoughts. Bob Wilson
I think he has earned a right to throw clubs, swear, and get pi__ed off when he hits a bad shot. There is a little more riding on his play that your Saturday foursome. Like all guys good enough to play on tour they expect to hit it perfect every time and make every putt not hit a shot like a 20 handicapper. I would like all these whiners that criticize his actions to tell their kids ,students, team, etc that when they put as much time,practice, play & history into the game as he has they can complain about it.
If Tiger wants his rightful place in history with the likes of Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus, he neeeds to act as professionally as they did, especially on the course in full view of both fans and TV cameras. Tiger needs to remember that he is today’s idol and numerous kids will emulate his behavior. To be the best in the world needs to be the best at behavior as well. As one who grew up in the Palmer/Nicklaus era, you never saw club tossing or vulgar language when they missed a shot. Tiger needs to follow their example when it comes on how to act on the course.
Bagger Vance said “You can never win this game (called golf); you can only play it”. Tiger needs to wake up and smell the roses and learn to enjoy the game and play it as a game. The game of golf IS the “greatest game in world.” I pray that Tiger will have a life changing experience through Jesus Christ. Then he will have the potential of becoming an ambassador for golf and for Christ. If that should come to pass, I will call him a great golfer and man. Until then he is nothing more than a spoiled brat, and the media continues to feed just that.
Give me a break guys. I doubt any of you haven’t cursed on the course (whether it be profane or not dang vs. damn). The highlight reels every week show Tiger’s great shots with him cheering and fist pumping, and to do that you have to be animated. We’ve all seen the guys who just lift their putter when they sink an unbelievable shot… boring. You get the same thing from those guys off the tee… bad drive, no reaction. You can’t have one without the other.
There is no doubt that he is one of the best golfers in the world. But he wants to become one of the most respected golfers, he should seriously consider asking himself. I love sports. I love golf but watching all the men and even women professional golfers swearing and throwing the clubs is such a turn off.
Should the golf commission say something about the conduct of the golfers? Should the NHL commission say something about the violence of the hockey players intentionally hitting other players? What they do at home is their personal life. What is a sports without the rules and sportsmanship?
Reilly took a cheap shot to stir up Tiger fans on a slow sports week. This is the story of Reilly’s career. Report stories Rick, don’t create them.
It is time for the TV commentators to speak to his bad behavior instead of playing blind and deaf.There are 40 tournaments and Tiger plays in 16.The Tiger ATT was one of the weakest fields this year .Most of the top European players were absent.I would like for Jim Nance speak tos behavior instead of proclaiming that it will be 100 years before there is another athlete like Tiger.How about Michael Phelps.
His antics are a very poor role model for young golfers. Bad language and throwing or abusing clubs is, in my opinion, a good reason to be disqualified. And if I was the commissioner, that rule would be applied. Kids watch Tiger. They think that his behavior is “normal”. Golf is not basketball, football, or hockey (which is so bad I refuse to even watch it). It’s a 500 year old sport of gentlemen and he should act like one. The best “greats” remember their fans and treat them like fans Yes, they sometimes get excited for “their pro”, but the fans pay the bills. No fans, and Tiger is selling used cars. One more thing, it this how he wants his child to act in public?
Who cares?
I love all these posts getting up on a soapbox, all melodramatic about golf being the gentlemenly sport of gentlemenliness and talking down to Tiger Woods as though he doesn’t have an appreciation and understanding of golf and as though the behavior of a professional golfer is a threat to our children. Who cares? Get over it. Shut up.
And please tell me Berry Barbour is kidding throughout his entire post.
leave the guy alone! he pretty much single handedly brought golf to the mainstream. hes the reason many people even tune in to watch!
If players who swear or slam clubs were to be disqualified, then Tiger WOULD NOT BE the only golfer who would be disqualified. Finally attention would be drawn to the other golfers who behave similarly or even worse than Tiger. Recently I even saw saintly Lorena, having a bad day and banging her clubs about three times at least into the group. When one is setting a trap for another, please set one for yourself. I know Tiger would improve (as he should) but if the posters believe that this will derail Tiger’s future achievements, they have another thing coming. Besides, if the TV media folks cared so much about the children being tarnished by Tiger, why do they show it. There are numerous other times when Tiger is NOT cursing or slamming clubs. I bet if Tiger was the ONLY ONE who cursed or slammed his clubs, the disqualification rule wuld already be in place. The Players’ Advisory Council knows better. Tiger was not given a break by the golfing establishment and veteran players when he became a professional, he had to earn his way by winning tournaments. How much mentoring did Tiger receive. Exceopt for Mark O’Meara, John Cook, how many of the veteran players were trying to mentor him? Instead they became jealous and gave him hardly any support. One thing I notice about Tiger is that he minds his own business – so what is not to like (aside from a hot temper on the course). Go T
Tiger – in the end the hot temper will cool. Not everyone is going to like you, so you better like yourself and love the ones you are with (esp. your family).
Best golfer around, no doubt… zero personality, no doubt.
Unfortunately, not much a commissioner would or could say to someone with so much influence.
Role model for focus, training and execution; but not much else.
Really needs to tone it down and to interact with the crowd. I worked the US Open in Bethpage as a Marshall this year and Tiger was about the only one who didn’t acknowledge the crowd with a hand wave or tip of the hat, etc. His “holier than thou” act is getting a little tiresome and wearing a little thin with the patience of the fans. A great talent but nothing when it comes to personality.
While I like Nathan’s comments – poking fun at Barry Barbour, he asked for it – Ryan (August 7th) hit the ball real close to the sweet spot: “Role model for training, focus and executuion, not much else”. But, Tiger also does great charity/foundation things. Also, I a certain that TV announers are not permitted to make such comments. That’s what these blogs are for, they’re just not as effective. Interesting subject and bunch of opinions.
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