More Tiger

But some people deal with disappointment in different ways. We are not all the same. May be Padraig goes home and kicks his cat, we will never know.

I don't mind a bit of pashion being shown. It is supposed to be entertainment, and watching a bunch of emotionless metal mickeys playing is going to be dull. Might as well be watching on play station.

On a different, but connected issue, why do the FA ban goal celebrations. If the player who scored just put his head down, and wandered off back to the center circle, how many people would watch the game? If he takes his shirt off, runs around waving it over his head, and then dive into the crowd, at least you can see it means something.

Back to golf, if Tiger isn't worked up, then he won't be as excited on the greens, no fist pump, no high fives, no emotion, no entertainment. It would all be a bit flat.

We will never know if Seve swore, because back then the overage wasn't as good. And he spoke spanish.
 
I had the nerve to slate "The Great One" for this a few weeks ago on here and was shouted down by the Tiger lovers. Since then I've marshalled at the Open and seen his antics close up (really close up) and my opinion is unchanged. Yes he is by far the world's best golfer but he needs to sort out his attitude. It makes me not want to watch him. I think he needs to look at someone like Greg Norman, there's a man who definately knows how to handle defeat and dissapointment with class.
On a slightly different note it winds me up at the Open with all the special treatment Tiger gets. You should see all the sychophants and hangers on from the R&A etc fawning around him behind the scenes. Peter Dawson, sec of the R&A, even said in a TV interview that he walked a few practice holes with Tiger to see what he thought of the course, nobody else just Tiger. I bet he didn't ask him what he thought on the Fri night.
I'm not going to get into an argument, that's my opinion and until he improves his attitude it wont change.
 
Is Tiger the only one that spits, swears or throws clubs?

No.

Why is it only Tiger that ever seems to get criticism here and elsewhere? Yep, he's world #1 but and has extra responsibility because of that, but why does everyone always jump on the Tiger bandwagon without highlighting it elsewhere?

I heard a certain american female golfer swear live on telly at the womens open at the weekend and have since seen nothing about it in the press...

And i've seen Sergio do far worse than i've seen Tiger do but since he's not living up to his promise then we'll just forget about it!

Spitting is a natural bodily function - i wonder who decided it was to be frowned upon all that time ago?

And about the sponsors - any news is good news. As long as Nike continue to sell $000,000s of equipment on the back of the Tiger brand, i don't think they'll be too concerned.
 
On another thread some time back, someone said that 'things change' and that this kind of behaviour is now the 'norm' and that we should get over it.

Well I'm sorry, things only 'change' because this kind of behaviour is allowed to go unpunished, because of money perhaps, or whatever.

The simple fact is, like Tennis, throwing Clubs and swearing on the course should be jumped on by the officials, and the simple solution would not to 'fine' the players, as that is hardly going to hurt any of them, but a 'one shot' penalty by the referee following the match, or indeed after the round, should be enough to focus their thoughts on their 'on course' behaviour.

Like football, these things need doing, and would be easy to do.
A simple release to all players stating what will happen as from the 1st january, and what is 'not allowed' on course, and backed up by action when it does occur, and they would soon get the message and start setting better examples to the millions of Juniors watching around the world.

Same with Football, there was much 'talk' following the Cole/Referee incident, and then after the Chelski debacle in the Champions League, but little balls to follow it thru.

It needs doing for Gods sake ??
 
I have no problem with anyone spitting or swearing occasionally, in the right circumstances. I wouldn't expect to see someone spit on the green or swear after an average shot, it would have to be a bad one. I don't consider the word sh*t to be a swear word, F'ing C... would be bad from Tiger should he stoop so low :)

What I don't like is the throwing club tantrums and/or anything that damages the course. I have seen marks on greens where people have obviously smacked the ground with their putter and I loathe that, some punk kid misses a 6 footer and ruins the green for everyone... not good.
 
There is finally someone who has stuck their head over the parapet and let out their feelings on Wood's attitude. Heard about this on 5 Live last week

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/lawrence-donegan-golf-blog/2009/jul/23/golf-tigerwoods
Click to expand...
Blimey...look at the shape of that club!

Tiger-Woods-001.jpg
 
Am I really so old fashioned, but is there really a need to spit on a golf course. Its not that physical a sport and frankly I don't understand the compulsion to gob everywhere. If you have something in your throat (cattarh or you a tobacco chewer) then fine but please be discreet. If not please refrain. Its interesting that it only seems to be certain players (Woods, Garcia etc) that do it and are seen to do it regularly whereas the likes of Harrington, Fisher etc all manage to play decent golf without the need to litter the course with their phlegm
 
afternoon all

I think this is a very interesting thread with some well argued points on both sides

FWIW my own purely personal view is that spitting, overt swearing and club-throwing and the like are all unacceptable on the golf course from any golfer be it Tiger, a 10 year old junior or a 60 year old lady golfer.

Why do I think that? Because to me the game is built on foundations of good manners/etiquette, accepted standards of behavior and a respect for your playing partners.

My view is that engaging in spitting, overt swearing and club-throwing is not an acceptable standard of behavior and shows a lack of respect for both the game of golf and your playing partners.

The only one thing I wanted to proffer an explanation - as opposed to a view - on, was Wildrover's view about Tiger and the R&A.

On a slightly different note it winds me up at the Open with all the special treatment Tiger gets. You should see all the sychophants and hangers on from the R&A etc fawning around him behind the scenes. Peter Dawson, sec of the R&A, even said in a TV interview that he walked a few practice holes with Tiger to see what he thought of the course, nobody else just Tiger. I bet he didn't ask him what he thought on the Fri night.
Click to expand...

As the promoter of the Open, one of the R&A's key jobs during the week is to make sure the key players are well looked after. Peter Dawson has said that in the past in interviews within Golf Monthly so I'd be pretty sure he (and the tournament committee) took time to speak to a lot of the players and their managers during Open week - with special attention paid to the likes of Tiger.

The simple equation is that big names drive attendance numbers, TV viewing figures, media coverage and as such it would be negligent of an event promoter to not seek them out check they're OK and also get feedback on the course, player facilities etc. And, the most important of those golfers is undoubtedly Tiger Woods. Hence the level of attention he gets from the R&A at the Open. I can guarantee it will be the same at any Tournament he tees it up at.

Tiger's participation in a tournament is a crucial factor in the event getting the exposure and interest needed to make it success both financially and in terms of the golf's profile/media coverage.

Players like Tiger have no contractual obligation to enter the Open but surely it's in everyone's interest that he does? If part of ensuring Tiger's presence is Peter Dawson paying him some attention during Open week then I'd have thought that was time well spent
 
Mike

Another example.

I was on the first tee on thurs & fri at the Open and saw many groups tee off including Ernie, Vijay, Greg Norman, Tom Watson et al. Peter Dawson only showed up when Tiger's group went off, both days.

I only used Peter Dawson as an example as he is recognisable but it is not solely directed at him. It seems like everybody from the security guards up to the Sec of the R&A go out of their way to keep Tiger "Happy" when all he does is walk round with a face like a smacked backside all week (or half a week this year).
I personally don't think that the R&A should go out of their way to please any player, they should say "this is the tournament, take it or leave it" The Open and the R&A are bigger than any one player whoever he is. I don't think Tiger would be put off from playing in one of the majors if this was the case anyway.
 
I think if it's a Major, then special effort shouldn't be made (security aside) because he's play them anyway. IF it was a standard tournament then I can fully understand special treatment.

As for the behaviour, spitting, club throwing etc is just not on. I'm no snob or prude, but one of the great things about the game is that it teaches good standards of behaviour in competitive situations. We've all smacked drives into the rough and wanted to smash the tee to pieces, but we don't out of respect for our playing partners and other course users. How many sports today teach high standards of behaviour ? It's a slipperry slope letting top players get away with it, just go and watch Sunday league football with 10 year olds screaming at referees to see where we could end up.

Being a golfer says something about you in my opinion, I played at Bearwood Lakes last week with 2 28 Hcapers whom I'd never met and had a great day because we behaved to an expected standard. When they took 8's and 9's I wasn't bothered because they stuck at it and enjoyed the game, there was no swearing and spitting and if there had been it would have be a long old 5 hours.

As the saying goes, you never know the true quality of a man until you've played golf with him
 
Do we as parents spend time teaching children morality, discipline, manners self control etc etc in the hope they will one day be spitting and swearing their way around in the full view of the public. I may be wrong (as I know some parents are lacking in moral guidance)but I dont remember seeing much of this behavior from Tiger when his Dad was around.

There are many ways to express yourself and react, without spitting or swearing all the time, or throwing clubs about.

You will see outbursts on every golf course and there is little that can be done about that when people feel the pleasure or pressure, but spitting??? We are not talking about overwhealming urges to spit from time to time , we are talking about the world gobbing championships here!

How did those in the public eye before the Tigers and Daleys and others, manage to set all the records without this modern attitude towards behavior and expression of gobbing and swearing and throwing clubs etc?

Millions watch these guys, examples of behavior are often very lacking from some modern golfers.
If you have nothing but swearing on your mind and a gob full of spit, you have nothing to say and if you did, I wouldnt want to listen in case I got sprayed.

Tiger is on a downhill attitude spiral in my view and it is a real shame.

As for punishments for this, a simple system similar to football would have better effect. Get a yellow card and miss the next couple of comps, get a RED and be out for many more significant comps.

This behavior in a 4 ball at the local club, unseen or heard by anyone is very different from being in the glare of the public eye in a sport that children follow as well as adults.

Its out of order, its not needed and I see it as a weekness in people, maybe why Tiger is having a poor showing sometimes??

Tom Watson will show you all how to play AND behave.
 
Wildrover

I agree that given the amount of special attention Tiger gets then he should make more of an effort go about his business with a smile on his face.

I'm sure he sets himself very high standards in terms of his performance and it must be frustrating to not meet those self imposed targets. I'm also sure the media attention must get to you but there are worse ways to earn a living and his surliness certainly does not reflect well on him.

Whether or not players should have the red carpet treatment is of course a contentious issue. However the harsh reality of professional sport is that golfers, like footballers et al, are entertainers who are paid to entertain us and such the 'star treatment' becomes the norm.

Whether that 'star treatment' entails courtesy cars back and forth to the course each day or the CEO of the organisation watching you tee off depends a bit on who you are, how much of a star you are and what your presence adds to the event.

Should it be that way? In an ideal world where traditional golfing values rule, probably not.
Is it going to change because it's not right in a lot of people's eyes? Almost certainly not, because in the business dominated world golf operates in the potential downside is too great.
 
I played golf as a young lad with my father. I once and only once threw my club and muttered a swear word under my breath, as the other players walked up the fairway he calmly and quietly informed me without embarrassing me that if I ever did that again in front of him or his playing partners I would never play golf with him again,end of!Stopped me in my tracks there and then.
 
The simple equation is that big names drive attendance numbers, TV viewing figures, media coverage and as such it would be negligent of an event promoter to not seek them out check they're OK and also get feedback on the course, player facilities etc. And, the most important of those golfers is undoubtedly Tiger Woods. Hence the level of attention he gets from the R&A at the Open. I can guarantee it will be the same at any Tournament he tees it up at.

Tiger's participation in a tournament is a crucial factor in the event getting the exposure and interest needed to make it success both financially and in terms of the golf's profile/media coverage.

Players like Tiger have no contractual obligation to enter the Open but surely it's in everyone's interest that he does? If part of ensuring Tiger's presence is Peter Dawson paying him some attention during Open week then I'd have thought that was time well spent
Click to expand...

And it is this sort of sporting economics that alters the playing field and could lead to the removal of cuts for some. After all, the logical conclusion of that kind of commercial thinking is to make sure Woods et al are always in the picture.

And golf is bigger than Woods. The Open should never stoop to pandering to a number one player. If they don't like it, they can go without the Major trophies.

I understand the economics of the business, it just frustrates me that the ethos of sport is lost in the pursuit of the dosh.
 
I was very lucky as a junior to have Dan Maskell the former BBC tennis commentator as a member at my club and who took a very keen interest in the progress of the juniors. He was as you may know a very old school gentleman (ex RAF etc) and only once did I swear after hitting a bad shot. He didn't get annoyed etc but explained to me that like in tennnis, an opponent will sieze any sign of weakness and use it and swearing was an admission of an error. Also and long before Bob Rotella etc he told me that the body would remember the negativity associated with the bad shot and that my focus and concetration would be lost.

I took it on board for a time as you do when you are that age and keen to impress and develop. It soon got forgotten though in the heat of battle as I sent another duffed chip hurtling through the green into the gorse. It was true what he said and I wished I was a strong enough character to not have the need to mutter the odd expletive even now. Sadly I am weak
 
Am I really so old fashioned, but is there really a need to spit on a golf course.
Click to expand...
Not really but it only causes offence if you're doing it whilst standing right next to someone else, it's a courteous thing not a prerequisite. Obviously Tiger is going to get caught on camera everytime he does it, maybe he should learn from that. I happen to think it's a filthy habit but wouldn't berate someone from doing it.

FWIW It's probably not right to pee all over the course but we've all seen plenty of 'draining of the one-eyed trouser snake' haven't we? I think Tiger learnt that one already though... not much flashing going on this year at Turnberry methinks :)

 
Anyone that gets offended by a bit of spitting and swearing needs to get out more.Spitting is a natural function especially when your arse is nipping in the heat of battle and swearing shows some fire in the belly...in fact what about a bit of club throwing to liven up our sport...
Click to expand...

OK I accept that a lot of the critics may be overstating the annoyance about Tiger's antics, but I have to say I agree that he is out of line.
So where do you draw the line then? If he starts talking during his partners back swing because he's on one of his rants, will that be OK, or if he were to walk across a putting line? Which part of the etiquette will they be allowed to flaunt next because we are in the modern age?
The problem appears to be that nobody can think of a deterrant strong enough to stop the top players doing this sort of thing.
The money talks to much in the game me thinks?
 
Spitting a natural function?
Maybe, but it is a reaction reflex to remove foreign objects from the mouth, like a fly for example. Spitting by choice is un-natural, and potentially as unhealthy as sneazing in or near someone. The human body does not need to spit out what it naturally produces, it can be swallowed. Spitters are spitters by choice and habbit not through natural function. Next it will be ok for players to drop their pants and take a crap on the green as it is a natural bodily function that has to be removed, unlike spit!

I have to stop tittering to myself now. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Piece
Precision Golf in Egham
3 4 5
Replies
92
Views
38K
G1BB0
G1BB0
Dodger
Just to compound things here is the outlook!
Replies
12
Views
1K
Andy
Andy
U
New driver ramblings
Replies
16
Views
1K
JustOne
JustOne
U
SkyCaddie SGX
Replies
4
Views
3K
HomerJSimpson
HomerJSimpson
Top