While talent was clearly a key reason Tiger Woods was able to establish himself as one of the greatest golfers of all-time, he would surely admit that he would not have had anything like the success he had had it not been for an incredible mental game.
Tiger Woods is one of the most decorated golfers in history. Only Jack Nicklaus has won more majors than Woods, while no-one has lifted more trophies on the PGA Tour than the 49-year-old.
No-one comes close to Woods’ tally of weeks at world number one. And it would be frightening to think of how many current stars of the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and LIV Golf would consider Woods to be their biggest inspiration in the game.
Every player can probably recall a shot where Woods managed to steal the show. And it is impossible to argue with anyone who considers the 2000 season to be the finest golf that has ever been played.
Tiger Woods shares the most important thing amateur golfers should do
But Woods was also a competitor like no other. Woods lost one playoff in his PGA Tour career, while he only failed to win one major after holding the 54-hole lead.
And while most of us who play the game will never know what it is like to hit even one shot quite like Tiger Woods, there is some advice that everyone can take on board.
Speaking on Fore Play Golf after acting as a caddie for one hole, Woods explained the simple advice he would give most amateurs looking to improve.
“At the end of the day, it comes down to keeping it simple, trying to figure out what you’re going to do, but most importantly, commit to what you’re doing. Whatever you do, just commit to it,” he said.
“Whether it’s a hook, slice, straight, high, low, who cares. Just settle down and commit to what you’re doing. Stay here. That’s hard to do in this game. You see all this other periphery stuff, there’s so much in our heads, and we live in our heads daily. That’s part of the game, that’s one of the challenges. But since we live in our heads, we’re able to control everything we do here. No-one can influence us, we’re centred, so we control this and all that will take care of itself.”
The incredible way Woods limited mistakes in the early stages of his career
Every golfer probably knows the moment where, after hitting the ball well at the start of the round, they arrive at a hole which includes a water hazard which ends up proving just too enticing for their ball. And every golfer certainly knows what tends to happen the moment you start to dread fatting a chip shot around the green.
Ultimately, limiting mistakes appears to be the key for players at all levels. Woods himself, went on an incredible run of 52 rounds in a row at one stage in his PGA Tour career where he finished the day at par or better. It is hard to see that record even being broken.
Meanwhile, he made 142 cuts in a row on the PGA Tour between 1998 and 2005. Max Homa labelled Woods’ run the most incredible achievement in sport.
Of course, there are times when the Hollywood shot is indeed the only way forward – and golf would be boring without those moments. But clearly, Woods thinks successfully playing within someone’s expectations is crucial if you are going to make significant progress.
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