After turning professional in 1996, Tiger Woods played in seven tournaments, won two, had three other top tens and made the cut in all seven. He came out of the blocks like Usain Bolt in 1998 with a victory in the Merecdes, won the Masters by a hundred strokes, had two other victories, 14 top twenty-fives out of twenty-one tournaments, was the first to win $2m on tour, was player of the year, golfer of the year, man of the year, etc.

So, what does he do? He decides to change his swing and in 1998 had the worst year of his career. WTF was he thinking? WTF was Earl thinking? WTF was Butch Harmon thinking?

Tiger knew he could go low. He was shooting in the low sixties since he was twelve. But, he did not think his existing swing could take him where he wanted to go. And, where he wanted to go was on the career major tournament winner board, at least one higher than Jack Nicklaus. He and Butch worked like madmen and Earl smoked like a chimney, but it got done. In 1999, he returned and won his second major, eight total tournaments, made all twenty cuts with 18 top twenty-fives. To this day, I am speechless. I have no speech.

I guarantee you Butch told Tiger about the many young golfer who attempted to change their boyhood swings, could not do and also could not get the old swing back 100%. The risk was huge. Not to Tiger Woods. Is there anyone out there that doubts Tiger could spent six months on the range and compete on tour as a southpaw?

Since Tiger popped on the scene after winning the 1996 U.S. Amateur championship, thirteen other golfers have won that prestigious event. Some with nicer swings than Tiger's. And most with a 'cannot miss' tag around their neck. Those thirteen have the total amount of wins Tiger had in his rookie season - two! And, there are at least thirteen other young golfers with pedigrees every bit as good as the thirteen mentioned above waiting to take on and catch Tiger. Good luck, guys.

I do not believe Tiger Woods would be standing at fourteen majors and 95 total professional victories had he not changed his swing two or three times. And, I am NOT saying most young golfers should change their swing to compete on tour, although many have attempted to do so. I am saying, unless you have the courage to attempt such a change and the work ethic to see it to it's fruition, you will never become the next Tiger Woods. That might have to wait until his son, Charlie.