Yes, it’s another post about Tiger Woods. I’m just so in awe.
I have always enjoyed rooting for underdogs when I don’t have a favorite player or team to support in any given contest. However, I also appreciate excellence. I love seeing Tiger dominate so thoroughly just as I want to see The Patriots win the Super Bowl and have the perfect season. I’d be happy to watch Tiger win every tournament he plays this year (and he sure looks like he could pull that off).
It just seems impossible for anyone to be so consistently good at a game with so many intricacies that he outplays his peers every time. It’s to the point that he doesn’t really have peers. He’s in a flight all his own. For anyone who has ever played this crazy game, Tiger’s performance is beyond impressive to the point that it’s almost unbelievable.
I contend that the difference between him and every other golfer in the world is purely mental. Any one of those guys on Tour can train with coaches, work hard and perfect their swings so they can execute most of the time. The difference is maintaining the mental state to execute it more frequently. And keep maintaining it on the putting green. Hole after hole, round after round, tournament after tournament. Only Tiger has shown he can do that.
Is it in our genes?
I have the ability to focus at times, but I know my nature and how easily distracted I can be. There’s only so much “zone” my brain will allow. So, is the ability to have that kind of mental game in our DNA? I think so. Oh, we can work on it and train our minds and improve, but I think our potential in this capacity is hardwired. The thing is, we don’t know what we’re capable of so we can just keep pushing and trying. And when we hit a wall, we can go get new equipment because there must be something else going on. (If we “upgrade” from the latest driver to the greatest driver and it helps, it’s probably a placebo effect anyway.) Oh, don’t you love this game?
Demonstrating how the USGA can play all the games it wants and it won’t bother him, Tiger recently commented on the meaninglessness of par (I agree). Talking about how the USGA makes changes to par for certain holes and tournaments, he said:
“The USGA just thrives on that … Par is just a number. What I mean by that is that Pebble could set up for a 72, and I would have been what, 16-under par? So under par doesn’t really matter that much. It’s just going out there and shooting a number.”
It’s just going out there and shooting a number, people! Sure, mine’s (way) above par and his is below. Eh… Par, shmar.
Anyway, I have to wonder what goes on in Tiger’s mind during a round. Not par. Not comments from wishful rivals. Is it the number? Certain swing thoughts? Is it like a chamber of silence?
Is it possible to be hyperbolic when discussing Tiger?
Is Tiger approaching a singularity to transcend even his own biological limitations? Someday, will there be a chip we can install in our brains that will allow us to do the same? Am I totally geeking out right now? Will I ever be able to write anything besides a question again? Is it time for a martini?
February 2, 2008 at 11:28 am
I like the article. Nicely written and it captured my attention the moment I opened your site. Yes, I agree that it’s a mental game and it’s genetically encoded in some people like Woods to become such a genius in the game. But isn’t there anyone who can consistently match him? I’m sure there are but they may not have the opportunity to play. I’ve seen some of them and I dare say that they have what it takes to play top quality golf. Maybe not up to Woods’ standard but close. Check out my blog at http://golfborneo.blogspot.com
February 2, 2008 at 11:48 pm
First of all let me answer the Martini question:
Yes, after all, it’s five o’clock somewhere.
As far as the mental game and the role genetics plays, I agree. It’s become clear that certain personality traits and behavior patterns are directly related to a gene, or sequence of genes, notably such things as being cautious vs. being a risk taker… or being mathmatical/mechanical vs. being articulate/imaginative. It seems everyone has a mix of these different genes, and most probably Tiger Woods has the perfect mix for the game…sport…dicipline of golf.
Your high tech solution of the brain implanted micro chip is good, but would probably require expensive, painful surgery. I would encourage the development of a lower tech solution; lets brew that genetic mix into a fruity blend that we can add to the aforementioned Martini. Cheers!
February 4, 2008 at 7:45 pm
What I enjoy best about Nick Faldo’s commentating is his constant recognition of the mental aspect of the game. As a multiple major winner, it seems that he understands and respects the importance, and the nuts and bolts, of this side of the game much more than the most. All of these guys can drive, pitch and putt, it’s just the ability to let the best swings come through at the pressure times that separates the field.
just this weekend we watched the no. 1 and number 2 players come from 4 strokes back in two different tournaments. One of them birdied his last two holes to win, the other parred his last two holes to lose.
In Phoenix, J.B. Holmes was struggling so hard with his game, (for instance, his always doomed three iron on 15); he was having so much trouble getting a clear picture, but he made it to 18 with a chance. He was obviously comfortable, on the tee, then sucked it up on the approaches and putts, and birdied the hole twice in a row for the win.
Tiger has been in that place so many times for so long that it is clearly second nature for him to perform at the highest level when it matters most.
Sure, he couldn’t do it without good genes, but it’s the years and years of proper experience, precise execution and positive response that have hard-wired the ability to produce when it counts into his system.