Tiger Woods is quite possibly the greatest living golfer and one of the greatest players of all time. His record makes that clear. He has won 82 PGA Tour events including 15 majors, as well as 18 World Golf Championships and holds numerous course and career records.
At the peak of his career, Woods was such a dominant player that major courses were trying to find ways to “Tiger-proof” their courses to keep the game interesting. For most of the 2000s, he was the safest bet on the course, no matter who else was playing. Golf hasn’t necessarily gotten more interesting since Woods has gotten older, but it has become more fun to bet on.
Sports betting has been growing in popularity across the country and betting on golf is no exception. A big part of the fun of betting on golf is the number of variables you have to consider. Most PGA Tour events have over 100 players, but not every tournament will have the same roster. Each hole on each course has its own challenges and will allow different players to shine. And then there’s always the weather to consider! It’s a lot to keep in mind when you’re placing your bets and it requires a combination of detailed knowledge of the players and courses and a good instinct.
Even if Tiger Woods isn’t exactly the sure winner that he used to be, there’s no denying that he’s one of the greats. It’s easy to say that he’s just special, but there’s more to it than that. Here are the three main reasons why Tiger Woods became one of the golfing greats.
Natural ability
It’s impossible to overlook the fact that Tiger Woods is just naturally great at golf. He has an innate natural talent that shines through and was obvious from his earliest playing days. He was a child prodigy who amazed other players from his youngest days.
At the age of 13, Woods caught the attention of John Daly when they played against one another in a charity tournament. Around the same time, he also impressed Jack Nicklaus. The two met while Nicklaus was teaching a golf clinic at the Bel-Air Country Club. To be able to impress some of golf’s all-time greats at such a young age shows that there was something very special about Tiger Woods.
Woods has always been known for his ability to hit long drives. His natural talent is partly the sheer power he is able to bring to any swing. However, he is also one of those remarkable individuals who realizes that natural talent needs to be nurtured and the weak parts of one’s game need to be improved to remain competitive.
Dedication
Practice makes perfect. It’s a mantra that rings a bit hollow when you’re trying to convince yourself to keep practicing a skill you’re trying to learn but struggling with. However, it’s one of the truest statements in the world. Without practice, even raw natural talent eventually hits a wall and can’t improve. Tiger Woods didn’t rest on the advantage his natural abilities gave him, he dedicated himself to practicing and becoming the best.
Woods himself has described his ability to dedicate himself so fully to golf in part to his personality. In his biography, he explains how he has an addictive personality. While some people use that trait as an excuse to justify problematic behaviors or habits, Woods uses it to get himself hooked on intense workouts and training regimes.
Looking at an example of Woods’ training routine from the peak of his career, it’s obvious how hard he worked. The average workout included two 4-mile runs, two to three hours practicing on the range, a round of golf, a bit of weightlifting, and some time spent working on his short game. It’s tiring just reading that!
Family support
We all might have a hidden talent that we never discover because we’re never given the opportunity to find it. Thankfully that wasn’t the case with Tiger Woods. His father, Earl Woods, had him learning to play golf from the time he was two years old. Earl Woods had been a talented amateur golfer as well and wanted to pass his love for the sport down to his son.
That kind of family support is an incredible help to any player. Parents who understand and encourage their child play an important role in building up a young player’s confidence and resiliency in the face of any hurdles.
Glad you’re back Guru. missed you and your reviews.