Earl Woods undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping the career of one of the greatest golfers of all time.
Tiger Woods’ mentality, particularly during the latter stages of events, was relentless and stemmed from what Earl had drilled into him at an early age.
Earl also implemented technical improvements into Woods’ swing, and it wasn’t until 1997 that the young prodigy finally took complete control of his technique.
Ahead of this week’s Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, which Woods is hosting after his withdrawal, he was quizzed on the changes he made to his swing during the early part of his career.
Tiger Woods discusses early career swing changes
Woods initially revealed the decision to change his technique occurred after holding a conversation with legendary coach Butch Harmon.
“That was on me to make that move. That was a conversation I had with Butch. I wanted to make a golf swing which was going to compete week in and week out,” Woods explained.
“At that time I still thought I had good hands and I could time it up. The problem is timing that golf swing, and that particular time, I was going to hit some serious foul balls, too. I needed to get the foul balls into a position where I could play and compete, make it to the weekend and possibly give myself a chance every single time I teed it up.”
He added: “At that particular time, I didn’t feel like I could do that. So we went to work on slowly integrating pieces of the golf swing,g and it took the better part of a year and a half or so until it got to where I would like it to be. I had a good run from 1999 to 2001.
“But as far as my father. He turned over all the keys to a golf swing. That wasn’t his thing. My father understood more the mental side of it from his operational days in special forces and the mindset that it took to do what he had to do. But as far as golf mechanics, no. I still remember the day my Dad was still teaching me how to putt, but as far as the golf swing, he never really did much.”
When did Tiger Woods meet Butch Harmon?
Woods and Harmon joined forces in 1993 after he lost in the second round of the US Amateur Championship at Champions Golf Club in Houston.
Woods’ father Earl had heard of Harmon’s skills and success, particularly with dominant Aussie Greg Norman, who had just won The Open Championship.
Harmon did not issue an invoice to Woods until after he turned professional. After agreeing to take control instead of Earl, Harmon would coach Woods for eight of his 15 major championship titles.
The pair split in 2002 before Woods went on to join forces with Hank Haney up until 2010. Sean Foley and Chris Como would follow, with Woods now taking control of his swing.
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