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BGonline.org Forums
Tiger Woods (OT)
Posted By: Fatboy In Response To: Tiger Woods (OT) (Christian Munk-Christensen)
Date: Saturday, 13 June 2015, at 6:12 p.m.
I saw Tiger in person at the driving range about a month ago in Vegas, it was part of his Tiger Jam event he holds in Vegas every year for his foundation.
At the driving range it was just scary how perfectly he hit the ball, every time. He would hit a ball 150 yards and try to "hit" that ball with the next shot. and he would be a foot or 3 away every time, it was like watching long range boccie ball. He would drive a "real good one" that's a direct quote from Tiger 310-320 when he was hitting them long.
IMO his problems are 2 things, which are universal to most athletes.
A: Age its hard to play at the highest level now 4 days in a row at his age.
B: He aint right in the head for what ever reason. And he isn't placing as well as he should based on his ability. There are external pressures that come with age that 22 year old kids don't have. Having enormous wealth is not easy, or lack of $$$. Kids, lawsuits. Lots of off the course problems start showing up on the back 9.
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Ok what make's me the expert here??, Just kidding i'm not a expert-but i'm well informed about sports psychology. As I have studied it for years. What makes a practice player who plays like a pro, fall apart when it matters? Why do some good players win world titles and only play great under the most extreme pressure? There are many answers for these questions, as For Tigers problems I believe the answers are clear, and I have a pretty good perspective on why.
In perusing my best performance in pool, I have studied this topic for 30 years, I knew Guys that would say "I just find a way to win" and they did. One guy in particular was a champion level pool player and bowler. He was a amazing winner but was lazy and didn't go anywhere with either. So he didn't make it because he was lazy, I seen plenty of players who were like that.
The guys who have everything, the will to win, talent, good solid work habits(practicing), willing to travel, and all other components of greatness make it. Tiger is one of those exceptional people. But nothing lasts forever.
I have a very close friend, Stick knows of him well. I'm God Father of his kids, so we are very close and he has opened up to me about his career. I'm leaving his name out, He is the Tiger Woods of pool and has been a top player since the mid 80's. In the 90's unbeatable(for the most part), Same in the 2000's. Now he isnt winning as much but he plays the same. So what happened?, 2 kids, a business, so the pressure to win is much higher and becomes distraction-not a motivation(I think this is Tigers problem as well).
Also his age, he gets tired, so if he gets knocked into the losers side early he has to play a ton more matches and the last match or two he just cant hold up against the younger guys(who in most cases dont play as well). I have roomed with him many times over the years and have talked about his pool career winding down. And that's a huge burden as he is defined(his public image) by his pool career. For Tiger who has a HUGE public image the pressure must be more. When that starts slipping away from a golfer, pool player, boxer, pick a sport. That's added pressure to perform is a bigger distraction the older we get.
Tiger is suffering from the same thing., it's a interesting parallel to watch.
The one thing that really seals up the deal in my opinion of age with Tiger and my friend. I'm 48 and my game, granted its 10 PR worse than theirs, ok 5. I just can't help myself from sandbagging ;-). Is I have watched my game decline, I get tired faster and cant play long sessions at the same level for as long. So even though they are way out of my league, time effects most of us in any physical sport the same, not many 50 year old tennis champs-well Boxcar Phil still plays good i heard.
In summery its age and performance pressure as a persons ability to perform at the highest levels declines in physical sport. Time beats us all.
Will Tiger ever win again? Sure, when he is not as distracted and feels good. Will Tiger ever be Tiger 15 years ago? no chance.
I realize I talk about pool here often, i'm not trying to turn BGO into pool, I use it as a reference that I know well and can be applied to what ever topic were discussing. In this case golf. I can't contribute much in BG here, but I want to participate with quality informative posts. So I do when I can to the best of my ability, I'm not a writer or have the best communication skills with a key board, i do my best, the content of my information nnot its presentation is spot on. Or I dont say anything-in the case of BG, how much can i offer here? Someday hopefully when i'm a better player I will be able to.
good to be back here- I hope everyone who has the tenacity to read my writing found this interesting. my apologies for being wordy
BG went very well for me in Europe. Very well.
best eric
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