No One Is as Mentally Tough as Tiger

by Mulligan Stu on Jun 18, 2008 12:10 PM EDT Comment 3 comments

I think everyone would agree with the assessment that mental toughness is something in which no other golfer can compete with Tiger Woods. As that poignant new Nike commercial - the one with Earl Woods' narration - points out.

But is Tiger better able to block out distractions? Not so fast. The announcers during the U.S. Open referenced that Nike commercial, and repeated what Earl Woods says in it about dropping a golf bag during Tiger's swing, as an example of the tricks Dad used to play on Tiger to toughen him up. They made it seem like Woods can block out every distraction.

If Earl was still around and tried that today, Steve Williams would run over and kick his butt.

Tiger is the worst golfer on tour when it comes to being disturbed by real or imagined crowd noises. It seemed at different times during the playoff that he backed off nearly every shot and glared in the general direction of where he thought the offending whisper has originated. As the round wore on, there were even a few boo's a couple of times he did it.

It's not like Tiger can't pull off a shot if he's hearing noise. One of his clinic tricks is to have audience members call out a shot shape - fade or hook, for example - after he starts his swing, and then he pulls off that shot.

This is one of the mysteries of Tiger - how he can be so acutely aware of pins dropping, yet still have such amazing focus when he actually makes the stroke.

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hang on hang on

Tiger is still a distant second to Monty in the rabbit ears catagory.

He also has to deal with the largest galleries and the most photographers – it’s hard to keep a herd that big quiet all the time.

The “boo’s” came from the stands at 18 where they had been full since the sun came up. It’s a pretty safe assumption that there were a few adult beverages consumed in the hours leading up to the player’s arrival. Yes, there are people who behave like children in California – I know – it’s shocking.

A lot of the backing off had to do with the wind on Sunday and Monday – maybe a little owwie stepping in as well – but the glares into the crowd weren’t all that numerous. I was pretty impressed with the 25,000 people outside the ropes following the playoff.

Tiger’s mental toughness has more to do with his ability to analyze the situation and pick the correct shot for that situation – then pull it off. That commercial really doesn’t define mental toughness very well. Handling distractions is just a small part of mental toughness.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jun 18, 2008 12:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This is a tough thing to assess

I had the opportunity to attend the Tuesday practice round of the US Open. I was amazed and at the same time a little dismayed at the way Tiger blocks out the spectators. If you watch him closely you would think that he, his playing partners, and caddies were the only ones there. He never seems to acknowledge or even notice that there is anyone outside the ropes. (Forget about getting an autograph even after the round.)

A couple of other notes:

Phil Mickelson signed hundreds of autographs along the ropes of #9 immediately after completing his practice round (especially for kids.) I became a fan.

Woody Austin signed at the practice green. He really is as intense as we’ve all heard and it’s easy to see how that could be mistaken for being mean or angry but I really saw it as intensity.

BTW, I got some good pictures at the US Open. Is there a way to post them directly here or do I need to post them somewhere else and link to them in a FanPost?

by Bogie Man on Jun 18, 2008 4:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

keep in mind

that Tiger was deeply influenced by Hogan and Nicklaus growing up. Both men left terrible impressions around the golf course, but the stories of them away from the pressure and hustle of their professional world show that they were much different when they could relax. Being the best in the world is a lot of pressure. There is a universe of difference in the demands for Tiger and Phil – imagine the difference between Tiger and the rest of the PGA Tour players. Pick up a copy of “The Pro” by Butch Harmon. He tells a lot of great stories about growing up around Ben Hogan.

Woody Austin, likewise, when he doesn’t have to focus his energy and concentration on playing is an absolutely hilarious guy. I met him last year at East Lake when he was doing a meet and greet at a pro-am function. He, Vijay, and Tiger sat and answered questions and had the group cracking up for almost an hour.

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