When you come to think of it that is the secret of most of the great holes all over the world. They all have some kind of a twist. C.B. MACDONALD
...and the world's golf writers rejoice because his birthday falls in late December when there is apparently is nothing else to write about.
Go to Golfobserver.com's notebook if you want to read about the big B-day and what it all means for Middle East peace and global harmony.
Thanks to reader John for this WSJ story on Tiger's new home purchase. Jupiter Island here they come.
If his latest real-estate deal goes through, Tiger Woods won't have to look far for a golfing buddy. The game's all-time money winner, 29 years old, has agreed to buy a Florida house on Jupiter Island, in the same gated community as fellow golfers Greg Norman and Jesper Parnevik, people with knowledge of the deal say.
Mr. Woods has a special history with Mr. Parnevik -- the Swedish-born star introduced the American golfer to model Elin Nordegren, whom Mr. Woods married in 2004. (Ms. Nordegren had worked as a nanny for Mr. Parnevik.) A purchase price for the house couldn't be determined, but it's listed for $18 million. Mark Steinberg, an agent for Mr. Woods at International Management Group, declined to comment. The 16,000-square-foot house has six bedrooms, and the 10-acre property includes a beach cottage and guest house and tennis and basketball courts. Jupiter Island, about 25 miles north of Palm Beach, has about 600 residents and has long attracted families from the Doubledays to the Fords and duPonts.
Mr. Woods made an earlier real-estate deal this year. In February, the three-time Masters champion bought land at a golf-club development under construction in Jackson, Wyo. The size and price couldn't be determined, but people familiar with that deal said Mr. Woods bought an "estate home" site. Such properties run from 2.5 to five acres and cost from $1.2 million to $4.5 million, according to a sales director at the development. Mr. Woods also owns a home at a private golf community in Windermere, Fla., near Orlando.
Stephen Garofalo, founder and former chief executive of fiber-optics company Metromedia Fiber Networks, agreed to sell the Jupiter property to Mr. Woods. Mr. Garofalo, who didn't return calls seeking comment, paid $12.3 million for the property in 2003, public records show. Metromedia, a onetime telecommunications highflier, filed for bankruptcy-court protection from creditors in 2002, emerged from proceedings in 2003 and took the name AboveNet.
From Doug Ferguson's notes column:
STAT OF THE WEEK: Tiger Woods would have finished at No. 8 on the PGA Tour money list based on his earnings from the four major championships.
And at this pace, next year the majors will be the only...ah you know where I'm going with that.
Hey, but a power game with stars only playing select events worked so well for tennis.
Tiger Woods met with some of the games great scribblers on Tuesday to kick off the Target World Challenge week. Beforehand, he bombed drives out of the Sherwood Country Club range despite a headwind. More impressively, he then hit slice and draw wedges on the range for a handful of lucky folks, including his mom who had endure some annoying instructor telling her his life story. She's a saint.
Anyway, I've never seen anyone draw or slice a wedge. These were not gently falling cuts or slight right-to-lefters helped by the wind. Draws and slices to a target 80 yards away. Amazing stuff.
The relaxed press conference took place in the claustrophobic Sherwood cart barn, where yours truly was on hand to take in the proceedings. The highlights:
Q. When did you know you wanted to open the learning center? How old were you and why is it so important to you?
TIGER WOODS: I really wanted to do it once I got out here. I wanted to have something tangible that kids could touch, kids could feel, they could be inside of. I thought what we were doing by going around the country and trying to inspire youth was great. We're just starting. We're in infancy stages. But I didn't think we were doing enough. We were kind of a circus, coming in for one week and we're gone. What about the other 51 weeks?
I wanted to do something that was going to be there permanently, something we could call home as a foundation for kids to come in, for kids to learn and grow, and I wanted them to create their own programs. The entire curriculum is based on their wants, their desires and their needs.
Now, some of us have been a bit skeptical about the learning center because of its cost ($25 million). Listening to Tiger talk about it in person and hearing his passion for the project, it is clear he has genuine pride in the Learning Center and how it has a chance to impact young people.
So yes, I feel like a jerk.
Later, a few questions were asked about the bomb-it-out-there-and-worry-about-the-consequences-later approach to golf, better known as flogging.
TIGER WOODS: It's how the game has changed. It's evolved. In essence, it's evolved in the fact that we're able to hit the ball greater distances. But again, the long hitters are still able to carry bunkers that the average guy can't carry. And that's how it used to be anyway.
I think technology now has spread out the guys a little bit more with the added physical strength of guys, too, guys getting to the gym and really working on becoming stronger and more flexible, are able to get a lot more speed. Add to that technology, in the shaft and heads. And more importantly, be able to marry up the shaft, the head, and the ball, because that was never the case. We all had persimmon drivers and let's just go play and hopefully we can get it out there.
After a few more questions about turning 30...
Q. There was a story in Golf World last week about performance enhancing drugs and steroids in golf and the possibility of it. Do you think there is a possibility that players are using anything and should there be perhaps a Tour policy or testing on that, either steroids or any kind of enhancing drug?
TIGER WOODS: There's always a possibility. Unless you're tested, there's always going to be a shadow of doubt on any sport. I don't see anyone out there who I would think would have finds of it, but who's to say there aren't. We don't know. We don't see any guys out there, 6 5, 240, 250, in shape, cut up, all ripped up. We don't have guys out there like that.
Q. Are you in favor of testing or do you think that's something that should be treated with a little more study?
TIGER WOODS: I think we should study it a little bit more before we get into something like that. Obviously it's a path that where do you draw the line? Do you do it on the PGA Tour nationwide but don't do it on any other tours leading up to that, or all professional golf.
Obviously there is a lot to it than just, okay, there's mandatory testing. Where does it start? Who does it? Who is in control of it? What are the substances that you're looking for. In the Olympics you can't take aspirin. A lot of guys live on aspirin out here.
Poor Tiger. No matter how many times he tells the golfing scribblers that his game is better than it's ever been, they refuse to believe him.
Bob Casper over at SI.com has been looking at Tiger's swing change patterns and equates the 1999-transition season with 2005, another transition year.
FYI: 1999 Tiger in the majors: T18-T3-T7-1; 2005 Tiger: 1-2-1-T4.
But Casper says 2006 will not like Tiger's 2000. Why? Five reasons, here's #1:
Earlier this year Tiger said, "driving accuracy means nothing these days, it's a non-stat." He had better reconsider that statement with two of the four majors being contest at traditional old -style layouts with majestic tree-lined fairways.
They've taken out a ton of trees at Winged Foot and apparently have done a fair amount of trimming over at Medinah, which may neutralize the whole "majestic tree-lined" thing. The USGA's David Fay has said he would like to see 8-inch at Winged Foot (because this flogging thing is really shining a big annoying light on optimization), but they can't do that if the men in blue want to finish on Sunday.
In 2000, Tiger hit 71.2 percent of his fairways. If he gets close to 70 percent in 2006, watch out. But that's a big if. Great scoring on golf courses is set up off the tee and Tiger needs to do a better job.
Sorry, that was five years ago. The game has changed and Tiger has not only kept up with the times, but established how the game will be played in the future.
It will be interesting to see how long people go before they realize the absurdity of grinding out tee shots and worrying about hitting fairways when 340 yard drives and proficiency with 15-footers far outweighs tee-shot accuracy.
On another note, just in case you have an interest in meaningless trivia, reader Jon reports that "flog" (golf backwards) is a member of the palindrome family. It is a semordnilap.
A popular motivational saying goes, "Desserts is stressed spelled backwards." This is an example of a reversible word, which when read from the right yields another word. All of this week's words exhibit this quality. Just like reversible clothing that changes pattern when worn inside out, reversible words result in other usable words. A special case of reversible words are palindromes, which spell the same when reversed. So palindromes are a subset of reversible words which in turn are a subset of anagrams. Another name for reversible words is semordnilap, a self-referential word coined by reversing the word palindromes.
How about that news flash from the city!
Gee, all George White did was raise a few questions about Tiger's schedule, but the PC police tracked him down and got him to budge.
TGC's George White dares to go where few others will: he remembers that Tiger said the Tour schedule is too long, and he's wondering why Tiger is so much playing fall golf.
Instead of the usual boring pre-tournament release, the always efficient and helpful folks at Brener-Zwikel sent this list out to generate interest in this week's Grand Slam of Golf.
Favorite Course, U.S.?
Tiger Woods: Augusta National
Michael Campbell: Pinehurst No. 2
Phil Mickelson: Whisper Rock
Vijay Singh: Augusta National
Favorite Golf Hole, U.S.?
Tiger Woods: Cypress Point, Hole 16
Michael Campbell: Pinehurst, Hole 17
Phil Mickelson: Augusta National, Hole 12
Vijay Singh: Pebble Beach, Hole 18
Favorite Course Outside U.S.?
Tiger Woods: St. Andrews, Old Course
Michael Campbell: Kauri Cliffs, New Zealand
Phil Mickelson: St. Andrews, Old Course
Vijay Singh: Ballybunion Golf Links
Favorite Golf Hole Outside U.S.?
Tiger Woods: St. Andrews, Hole 18
Michael Campbell: Kauri Cliffs, Hole 4 "Cambo's Hole"
Phil Mickelson: Lahinch, Hole 5
Vijay Singh: St. Andrews, Hole 17
Favorite Golf Course Architect?
Tiger Woods: A.W. Tillinghast & Donald Ross
Michael Campbell: Tom Fazio
Phil Mickelson: Donald Ross
Vijay Singh: Alister MacKenzie
Best Shot of Your Career?
Tiger Woods: PGA Championship, Hazeltine, 18th hole, second shot from fairway bunker
Michael Campbell: My bunker shot at the 17th hole at St. Andrews, 3rd round, 1995 Open
Phil Mickelson: Putt on 18 at Augusta, 2004
Vijay Singh: Final round of 2000 Masters, Hole 15
One Mulligan You'd Like to Take?
Tiger Woods: No mulligans in golf
Michael Campbell: My 2nd shot at the 5th hole at St. Andrews, final round of 1995 Open
Phil Mickelson: Tee shot on 17 at 2004 U.S. Open
Vijay Singh: Final round of 2002 Masters, Hole 15 third shot
Favorite Club in Your Bag?
Tiger Woods: All 14
Michael Campbell: Callaway FT3 driver
Phil Mickelson: Putter
Vijay Singh: Putter
Oldest Club in Your Bag?
Tiger Woods: Putter, 6 years
Michael Campbell: Putter
Phil Mickelson: Putter
Vijay Singh: Cleveland 3-wood
Best Golf Book You Have Read, Not Written By You?
Tiger Woods: "Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf" by Ben Hogan
Michael Campbell: "Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf" by Ben Hogan
Phil Mickelson: "Who's Your Caddy" by Rick Reilly (A Good Laugh)
Vijay Singh: "The Natural" by Sam Snead
Last Time You Bought a Golf Ball?
Tiger Woods: In college
Michael Campbell: When I was 12 years old
Phil Mickelson: No idea
Vijay Singh: 2003
All-Time Favorite Movie?
Tiger Woods: "Caddyshack"
Michael Campbell: "Star Wars"
Phil Mickelson: "Usual Suspects"
Vijay Singh: "Forrest Gump"
Favorite TV Show?
Tiger Woods: ESPN Sports Center
Michael Campbell: "Friends"
Phil Mickelson: "The Practice"
Vijay Singh: "CSI"
Who would be in your dream foursome?
Tiger Woods: Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones
Michael Campbell: Gene Simmons, Michael Jordan, Nicole Kidman
Phil Mickelson: Amanda Mickelson, Sophia Mickelson, Evan Mickelson
Vijay Singh: Qass Singh, Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen
Favorite Male Athlete?
Tiger Woods: Michael Jordan
Michael Campbell: Lance Armstrong
Phil Mickelson: Too many favorites!
Vijay Singh: Lance Armstrong
Favorite Female Athlete?
Tiger Woods: Mia Hamm
Michael Campbell: Sarah Ulmer
Phil Mickelson: Too many favorites!
Vijay Singh: Serena Williams
Favorite Sports Team?
Tiger Woods: Lakers, Raiders, Yankees, Dodgers
Michael Campbell: NZ All Blacks-Rugby
Phil Mickelson: San Diego Chargers
Vijay Singh: New York Yankees
Favorite Sporting Event, Non-Golf?
Tiger Woods: Baseball World Series
Michael Campbell: Olympic Games
Phil Mickelson: NFL Football
Vijay Singh: World Cup of Soccer
Who Would You Buy a Ticket to Watch?
Tiger Woods: Ali vs. Frazier (1, 2 & 3)
Michael Campbell: U2 in Concert
Phil Mickelson: San Diego Chargers
Vijay Singh: Pink Floyd in Concert
Favorite Musician or Group?
Tiger Woods: Van Halen, Prince, Janet Jackson, Madonna
Michael Campbell: Kiss
Phil Mickelson: REM
Vijay Singh: Pink Floyd
Kelly Tilghman interviewed Tiger Woods September 28th. Because a transcript was slow to appear and I was more interested in his surprising comments that he'll be getting in the course design business soon than expected, I missed this bit where he says there is "no doubt" that Hootie, the USGA and R&A want to roll the ball back. Thanks to reader Tom for the reminder.
And credit Tilghman for asking some fine questions in a tough environment (Nike plugfest). The entire interview is much more interesting than Tiger's usual game of press room Dodgeball. (Not that I blame him.)
Anyway, here's what should have made headlines:
Tiger Woods: Here's the deal, I have talked to Hootie and talked to the heads of USGA, also to Peter Dawson, they want to roll the ball back, no doubt about that. They want to put a speed limit and there is one now but they are making golf courses so long that you can't play some of the old championship venues. That's what they are afraid of. They are trying to protect the integrity of some of these major championship venues and the great golf courses, where they can still provide a great championship but not have us shoot 20 under par. But also to have it so that the average golfer can enjoy a round of golf. Well, that's the dilemma. New technology has helped the average golfer hitting balls slightly further and slightly more accurate. But for professionals, we have made leaps and bounds because our proficiency and to be able to make contact and launch the ball correctly each and every time. If you take the average consumer and they hit a driver, they have probably got old equipment five years ago to now maybe 10 yards, 12 yards carry, and we're carrying it to 25, 30 yards further than some of the guys. The further you hit, the more technology is going to help you. That's what they are looking at. They have got all these lists of numbers especially at Augusta, where we're landing the golf ball versus three years ago, and three years ago guys are hitting it 12 to 15 further in the air easily, everybody. That's what they are afraid of. That's one of the reasons why Augusta made some changes each and every year and are probably a leader in that.
I am sure there will come a point in time where they will have to slow it down because we can't play Merion anymore. You can play U.S. Amateur but a professional I think would probably shoot a little lower scores than they did. St. Andrews, if they have to change the course there to accommodate us, then you know things are changing. Hey, I am one of the guys that if they did roll the ball back, it would help me out a little bit. I would have an advantage. Any long guy who hits the ball long and high would have more of an advantage because now we're having to hit longer irons in the greens, other guys are having to hit hybrids and woods, so you have an advantage.
From a personal standpoint and competitive standpoint, I won't mind them rolling the ball back because I would have an advantage.
Subtle segue in this question to Tiger from the press assembled in China:
Q. You had excellent golf today, I'd like to talk about your 18th hole yesterday, it was a fantastic hole, and you played well, great finishing. How do you rate your anger management?
TIGER WOODS: How?
Q. How do you rate your anger management?
Sounds like Tiger had a lot of people taking pictures of him today.
Q. There were a lot of cameras going off on the course; how big of a distraction was that to you?
TIGER WOODS: It was a little bit of a distraction certainly, but hey, you know, golf they are not used to seeing golf here, so we can understand it. But they are pretty respectful. They felt bad. They don't know when to take the pictures and once you learn, they get better.
Haven't these people seen what Stevie will do to a camera?
They should just hand out a little leaflet at the entrance with a picture of Stevie chucking (gosh I miss that word) a Nikon into a lake. That'll teach them to leave their cameras at home.
Not sure what to make of this from Tiger's pre-tournament press conference:
Q. You mentioned that you feel a 300 yard drive that you didn't feel in your 20s. What are the things you see later in your career that you might change in your game? We know MJ went to the fade away later in his career. What are some of the things you may incorporate into your game later on?
TIGER WOODS: I don't know. Certainly that's dependent on equipment changes, whether or not we're going to make any equipment changes, whether I can roll the ball back or not, reduce the club face or whatever we're going to do. You're going to have to adjust. I think that's the great thing about this game. You have to keep it fluid. Things always have to adjust. I have plenty on my plate to work on, all the changes I'm trying to incorporate in my game. That will keep me busy for a long time.
While doing research for a story, I stumbled across this article on Tiger from May, 2001. He was asked if course design was in his future.
Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player began their design businesses in their 30s and 40s. The 25-year-old Woods said he has no clear timetable for beginning a design career. He also said that he wouldn't necessarily design long courses just because he is known for his length.
"You really don't have to have the hole 470 or 480 yards for it to be challenging," Woods said.
I point this out because 470-480 was sort of still a "long" hole four years ago for most players, except maybe Tiger.
Yet how many times during the Presidents Cup did you see players hitting wedges into 475 yard holes? And NBC's announcers making sure to point it out?
While watching I was thinking that you would need another 75-100 yards to create a "long par-4" in the modern professional game, assuming you would like to see a mid-to-long iron approach.
Lawrence Donegan writes about Tiger's choice for his one-week replacement caddy for the Presidents Cup and the reaction among the caddy ranks.
Geoff Shackelford is a Senior Writer for Golfweek magazine, a weekly contributor to Golf Channel's Morning
Copyright © 2022, Geoff Shackelford. All rights reserved.
