Love Him or Hate him - Tiger Woods.

[jpdx]

Please keep this civil and within the rules as this topic has the potential to turn ugly. I apologize if this topic has been discussed, but even with so many threads (admittedly didn't search too hard) on Tiger, I wasn't able to really find thoughts on why you love or dislike Tiger.

 

I am genuinely interested why you are or why you aren't a fan of Tiger - the golfer.

 

I've read several articles leading up to the Farmers that have discussed how much spotlight Tiger gets and how it overshadows accomplishments and/or potential accomplishments (such as Jon Rahm potentially reaching #1). Another article I read (being discussed here: http://www.golfwrx.c...gst-yourselves/), the author described TFS or Tiger Fatigue Syndrome - basically where you are fatigued by Tiger dominated news.

 

Do you have Tiger fatigue? Is there something else about Tiger himself you dislike that carries over to his profession and makes you root against him?

 

Perhaps you are like me and want Tiger to succeed, to dominate again. To be the undisputed greatest of all time.

 

I love that he's such a polarizing figure and that he has so much passion when that big putt goes in the cup. I enjoyed the story of his rise and am anxious to see the results of his comeback. I'd really like to hear your thoughts.

 

TLDR: Why do you like or dislike Tiger

 

edit: added poll

[MidMOGolfer]

Love him. I want to see someone beat Jack's record, if he doesn't, then I don't see it happening in my lifetime.

[OldBridge]

I respect his achievements, but he just seemed very aloof to me when watching. As an avid golf watcher in my youth I also got tired of all the media coverage of him at tournaments, whether warranted or not at the given event, and it turned me against him around 1999 or so (when Tiger really started building that crazy winning streak and such). Plus, I always end up going more for the underdog in sports anyway so I tended to like guys like Phil more that Tiger beat up many times at big tournaments. I don't think I've met any/many people who like Tiger and Phil so I guess it's a polarizing thing? Who knows.

 

Y.E. Yang beating Woods straight up at the 2009 PGA is one of my favorite moments watching golf.

[ferrispgm]

I'm curious to know..People that dislike Tiger because of the coverage...do they feel the same way about the Patriots, Tom Brady, NY Yankees, etc. who all receive a huge amount or majority of coverage because they are the best in their respective sports? IMO he gets the coverage because he "earned" it. You may not like it, I certainly don't when it comes to the Patriots lol, but unfortunately it is what it is. I'm a big Tiger fan but even I get sick of the incessant blabbering about him all the time and micro analyzing. I wonder if the mico analyzing stopped if it would help as well?

[Aviador Naval]

I have enormous respect for his talent and hope he regains form so that he can leave the game on a high note on his terms.

 

That said, I've never been a fan dating back to well before Hyrdrantgate. His interviews were so insincere that he was never believable. Also, he was quite boorish on the course. Slamming a club into the ground every now and then is acceptable emotion and fire as far as I'm concerned. A never ending stream of 'F' bombs that would make a drunken Sailor blush is a simple lack of self control. It seems that he's made progress in both these areas recently however.

[lenman73]

I have never been a fan of him. Even seen him win in person. While his skill was unquestionable and I did enjoy watching some of his wins except the one against furyk in the dark. I wasn't a fan of Michael Jordan either even though he was a marvel to watch. I wasn't a fan of Jeff Gordon 20 years ago either though in the end I was. I just never got behind the big draw, maybe the attitude they exude or something, I'm not really sure why. Given the choice between Jack and Arnie, I will pick Arnie every time. While I acknowledge their skill and amazing accomoshments, I am just not in their corner.

[sheldonjhacker]

Great golfer, lousy person.

 

best, Hank Haney, et al.

[MadGolfer76]

Typically not been a fan. I don't like arrogance in particular, and he was a classic case.

 

Seems less annoying as of late, though.

[Waterman2]

I'm a huge fan of Tiger the golfer; one reason is that I've always felt everything about his golf world is just so... Elite. He always had near enough the prettiest swing, the most impressive ballflight, the most control. I even thought his clubs were cool (those prototype blades he played in 08/back end of 09 were beautiful). There's just something so absorbing about watching someone do really, really impressive stuff that possibly no one else can.

 

I have noticed a change in the way people respond to him. I think after his scandal and the fallout from that people were much more split, though it feels like a lot of people are moving past that. Possibly out of pity for what he's been through the last few years, who knows?

[hdr_ric]

I was more of an Ernie fan up through mid 2000s.

 

I started liking Tiger more after 2009, when all the bleepety bleeps came out of woodwork with their morality judgements.

[BoogieThumper]

Great golfer, fun to watch and that's all I care about. What he does when he's not swinging a club is none of my business. I have my own demons to deal with

[new2g0lf]

Huge fan of the golfer, wish the person made better choices but ultimately it's not my business.

[Holy Moses]

Mostly love him. Who else would I take a half day of work off to watch play golf on TV?

[golfgirlrobin]

From the thread title, I was hoping for a poll.

 

I don’t dispute his talent one bit, he’s hit some of the best shots I’ve ever seen and a comeback at this point would be an amazing story, but I root against him. Sick of the media obsession, don’t care for his bad attitude, his behavior on the course, his behavior off the course, and I’m sick of Tiger fans who aren’t really golf fans.

 

His father raised him to put Tiger first, and with the possible exception of his kids, it seems to have stuck.

[Hawkeye77]

Neither.

 

Love or hate these endless Tiger threads? I have a choice on that one.

[Man_O_War]

I'm curious to know..People that dislike Tiger because of the coverage...do they feel the same way about the Patriots, Tom Brady, NY Yankees, etc. who all receive a huge amount or majority of coverage because they are the best in their respective sports? IMO he gets the coverage because he "earned" it. You may not like it, I certainly don't when it comes to the Patriots lol, but unfortunately it is what it is. I'm a big Tiger fan but even I get sick of the incessant blabbering about him all the time and micro analyzing. I wonder if the mico analyzing stopped if it would help as well?

 

nooo, they love Brady..so much they call him the New England Patriots...He is the team..a 1 man show..i can hardly remember the names of the tools who were running the ball, catching throws...but it's all to make Brady look good. Tiger on the other hand....2008 US Open... last day, 18th hole, putt to get into playoffs...That's the 1 man show..the real one man show

[Jordan Speeth]

Judging by the photos this week, it appears to me that Tiger is off the drugs, which is fantastic news. He doesn't have the bloated, tired looking face that he had even as recent as a month ago. The guy at least LOOKS in great shape and in great health for the first time in a while. As anyone who's got experience with these painkillers he's been on for so long would know....even if he thought he was 100%, he wasn't. At that level, a little compromised means the difference between a top-20 and a missed cut, or a chunked chip shot, or a yanked putt. I hope I'm right about this and that he's off the drugs and ready to go. If so, look out for this guy fellas.

[Sean2]

He is without doubt one of the two greatest golfers at all time. However, I always found his on course demeanor quite off-putting. That doesn't make me a "hater", just not a big fan.

[Darth Putter]

I am a big fan of his golf game.

[Lagavulin62]

I’ve never really disliked Tiger, just never was that much into him until he started winning everything. I think I realized he was good for the game. His interviews have always been horrible and never seemed sincere. Just always said the same old tired dribble. But I think he is probably different now. If not I still want him to come back and compete for majors. Golf desperately needs him with Phil about played out. I’m sorry DJ will need another 20 years before I even care. In a way Tiger to me is like Sergio and JD. Time makes all the difference. They just grow on you.

[Valtiel]

I can definitely say I dislike the aforementioned endless Tiger threads more than anything about the golfer. :D

 

That said, it was always the interviews that bugged me, mostly earlier ones. I get that the Crafted Public Persona™ is a thing, but I feel like in the age of readily available information that that entire concept is now a relic and just makes people come across as completely disingenuous. Showing vulnerability should not be seen as a weakness of character or something that is "bad for the brand", that concept is just as much a relic as well. Some actual candid honesty about things goes a long way to making someone appear more trustworthy and likable. That said, I get why someone like Tiger would view pretty much anything that has a camera and a microphone with hostile caution these days so there is no real good solution there.

 

As a golfer, i've only ever not enjoyed the periods where it was clear he was playing "golf swing" instead of just "golf". Watching someone try to hit a high cut from the left side of the fairway into a left pin with the green running from left to right is frustrating.

[hybrid25]

I'm glad Tiger didn't beat Jack's major records, because I want that individual to be someone you could model your kids after. If tiger had not had the injury problems I believe he would have definitely passed Jack in the majors column. Although I really don't believe in karma, it's strange how the door got slammed shut on his major quest. I enjoy seeing him compete nowadays just to see how well he can do, but frankly speaking, I don't think he can win another tournament. With all that being said I never really was a fan of Tiger.

[DivinDave]

I remember all the hooplah about Tiger long before he turned professional.

I figured yeah right, just wait till he's a pro and all the tour pros will tear that kid a new @$$. Not to mention the incessent microscopic analysis by the media is enough to drive any normal person absolutely insane.

 

Well boy was I wrong.

 

Tiger came out kicking a** on tour and it went on for Years! And my money says he ain't done yet as long as his back holds up. Not by a long shot.

 

I also dont blame him for his attitude or lack of interesting interviews. I mean really, how many times and how many different ways can you answer the same question asked 1000 times?

 

I love watching Tiger, because he makes golf exciting. The man can hit golf shots that no one one the planet either past or present can hit, and he seems to do it often.

 

Oh, and as for his off course antics and bad language, well, I wont provide any details, but back in my younger days a few decades gone by, I make Tiger look like a saint.

[jpdx]

From the thread title, I was hoping for a poll.

 

I don’t dispute his talent one bit, he’s hit some of the best shots I’ve ever seen and a comeback at this point would be an amazing story, but I root against him. Sick of the media obsession, don’t care for his bad attitude, his behavior on the course, his behavior off the course, and I’m sick of Tiger fans who aren’t really golf fans.

 

His father raised him to put Tiger first, and with the possible exception of his kids, it seems to have stuck.

 

what a great idea. I didn't think of that when I started this.

 

I really appreciate everyone's input on your thoughts so far.

[farmer]

I'm right there with Robin.

[dlygrisse]

I loved and respected his game and competitive spirit.

 

I always found his personal conduct both on and off the course to be disappointing.

[Vindog]

A little help? I have no idea who this person is. :telephone:

[ldchristopher]

When I was younger, I loved Tiger. Along with being better than his competition, he was so vastly different. He wasn't a country club kid, didn't abide by traditional golf etiquette, and was a master of the mental aspect of golf. So often, when guys were paired with Tiger they were beaten before they even hit a shot. I grew up in Chicago during the Jordan era and saw the same thing happen to otherwise good players and teams when they played the Bulls. I always respected the players who could intimidate competitors before the game even started. Also, I caddied at at country club filled with crotchety white guys who "hated" Tiger. When asked why, they'd all say the same thing: "I don't know. Just something about him rubs me the wrong way." They knew d@mn well what bothered them; a half black half Asian guy was dominating their beloved sport.

 

That said, it's painful to watch athlete after athlete play way past their primes and hinder their legacies in the process. I pretend like Jordan never played for the Wizards just like I pretend Rocky V doesn't exist. But he did and it does. And spare me any lines about Jordan dropping 50 in Washington or Tiger finally being pain free. Both were/are a shell of their former selves. I'm not delusional. I know that success for Tiger is playing pain free and making cuts now, not winning tournaments. But that bothers me, because I don't actively root for specific golfers anymore. They're all so similar to each other. I didn't go from loving Tiger to hating Tiger, I went from loving Tiger to hating the fact that no one else has taken his place as both playing better than their competition and mentally destroying them. Oh, and is there anyone on top of the Tour who crusty country club guys irrationally dislike?

[dlygrisse]

From the thread title, I was hoping for a poll.

 

I don’t dispute his talent one bit, he’s hit some of the best shots I’ve ever seen and a comeback at this point would be an amazing story, but I root against him. Sick of the media obsession, don’t care for his bad attitude, his behavior on the course, his behavior off the course, and I’m sick of Tiger fans who aren’t really golf fans.

 

His father raised him to put Tiger first, and with the possible exception of his kids, it seems to have stuck.

 

Well put.

 

He seems to be an extreme narcissist. Maybe that’s why he was so great. Although Jack always came across as confident and respectful of those around him.

 

He was entertaining.

[KYMAR]

"i apologize if this has been discussed"

 

lol