Opinion & Analysis
Is Tiger really tired, or just tired of his swing problems?
I am happy to be back to the world of golf after a lengthy medical hiatus in the city of Brotherly love! I spent the month of September in Philadelphia where I received the finest medical care imaginable. Anyway back to the game of golf.
After Round 2 of the PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship, Tiger Woods told the media that he was tired. He had just shot 32-41 at East Lake, an implosion that seemed to support Woods’ claim of fatigue.
“I put everything I had into that start and didn’t have much at the end,” Woods said. “Just ran out of gas.”
Woods went on to say that his “legs were just tired,” which caused him problems rotating through shots on the back nine. That’s why so many of his shots “turned over,” or moved right to left, a ball flight that led to a double bogey on No. 14.
I agree with Woods that PGA Tour players are playing longer seasons than ever before, and the travel and media scrutiny can take its toll on even the best of players. But Woods is one of the fittest golfers on the PGA Tour, and plays less events than nearly any other world-class golfer. So what I’m wondering is why golfers like Boo Weekly and Jason Dufner don’t seem to be tired, but Tiger Woods does?
What I’m even more shocked by is that Tiger decided to blame his errant shots on fatigue.He has been fighting his driver for his entire career, and while his driving statistics have improved under swing coach Sean Foley, he’s still nowhere near as good with the driver as he could be.
The truth is that Tiger’s driving ability suffers not because of his lack of conditioning, but because of a swing flaw. It’s the same one he has battled his whole career — his downswing path comes too far from the inside and he gets “stuck,” as he termed it.
When Tiger first started working on Trackman, his path was as much as 8 degrees from in-to-out. The work he has done with Sean Foley has been focused on getting the path more from the “outside,” or at least straighter into the golf ball. And it’s obvious that’s he’s been working on this throughout 2013 when you watch his practice swings, where he practices an exaggerated over-the-top move with the club swinging well left of the target line.
When Woods played his best this year, he was able to work the ball both ways. But when he sets up for his current bread-and-butter shot, a fade, and drops the club too far to the inside, he hits hooks or blocks. We saw both at East Lake.
The lesson is this: Golfers cannot get the golf club to work more outside simply with a greater rotation of the hips (which is why Tiger’s claim of fatigue affecting his swing is bogus by the way). I teach plenty of talented golfers who open their body and still drop the club way inside and under the plane. When that happens, golfers hit the same bad shots as Tiger: hooks if the face is closed to the path and blocks if the face is square or open to the path.
Again, the correction for this is not necessarily more lower body rotation. And if it was, it would be more of a focus on upper body rotation to allow the club to get more to the outside.
Here’s what golfers have to remember: The ONLY thing that causes the ball to curve in flight is the relationship of the club face to the PATH of the swing, not the target line. If Tiger wants to improve his driving, he needs to get the golf club more out of front of him. He needs to be sure he can “cut across the ball” if he is going to play his coveted fade.
Woods shot 69-67 on the weekend because he’s Tiger Woods, and he’s the best golfer who ever lived at getting the ball into the hole. But his golf swing is still a work in progress. Until a more outside-in path becomes more habitual, he is going to struggle, particularly with the tee ball.
As always, feel free to send a swing video to my Facebook page and I will do my best to give you my feedback.
Club Junkie
Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie
On this episode of Club Junkie, I put the new Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver to the test and break down the performance, forgiveness, distance, and where it fits compared to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood. If you have been curious about adding a mini driver to the bag, this one is worth a look.
I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.
Opinion & Analysis
AVL: We’re talking about practice! My best tips for taking your game to the course
With the beginning of June on the horizon and courses rounding into peak condition for the season, it’s time to hone the finer skills that often get rusty over the winter. More sunlight also means more time to get out on the course and work on your game.
Whether it’s the practice green or the driving range, there’s always something to improve—whether you’re enjoying the fresh air or preparing for a weekend game or tournament. You can work on drills or freestyle around the green, and friendly competition is a great way to sharpen your skills.
While there are endless ways to get better at golf, I’m going to focus on practicing around the green. Let’s take a look at a few things to keep in mind as we head into the summer months.
Drills
From the driving range to the practice green, it’s important to incorporate drills into your routine. Years ago, I spent a weekend working on my short game with James Sieckmann. He recommended doing drill work for 5–10 minutes, then returning to your main practice.
This way, you create a balance between structured drills and real-world scenarios, so you’re not confined to “perfect” situations. For example, hitting the same three-foot putt over and over is good for repetition, but after a while, it becomes less interactive for your brain.
My approach is to use a putting trainer with a narrow gate for the ball to pass through, or simply place tees just outside the width of the ball. I’ll hit a series of four putts through the gate for three sets. Then, from a similar distance, I’ll hit four putts without the training aid and repeat that sequence three times.
Next, I’ll hit a number of 15–25 foot putts in a random fashion, then circle back to repeat the short putt drills with and without the training aid.
This breaks up the rhythm of hitting short putts with the training aid. When you hit the same short putts over and over, it’s easy to get into a groove—which is great for the drill, but not reflective of actual course play. While finding a rhythm is fundamental for drills, I like to introduce variation with longer putts to keep things realistic.
Game Mode
Once you’ve established a foundation with drills, it’s time to simulate on-course scenarios. This is where a few practice games come in handy.
One that I’ve been enjoying lately involves putting 10- to 15-footers with two balls. If I make the putt, great! If I miss, I pull the missed ball back a putter length. Suddenly, that little tap-in becomes a nerve-wracking three-footer—at least at first. As you get better at this game, those three- and five-footers become much more comfortable and routine.
It may sound cliché, but each shot is just what it is—it’s how we react that makes the difference. I like this game because it blends the pressure of on-course putting with the consequence of leaving yourself a much longer putt than usual.
Another game I like is one I recently learned from Brad Faxon. Place three tees in a line at four different locations around the hole: one at 3 feet, one at 6 feet, and one at 8 feet. The 3- and 6-foot putts count as par, and the 8-footer is for birdie.
This game keeps you focused on scoring and helps you get into a competitive mindset. You can even think about this putting game while you’re on the course. I just started playing it, and last week I couldn’t get better than two under par.
Competition
Competition during practice is when drills and games come to life, and you start to see results. For me, nothing beats a putting contest with a friend or two. In the right setting, these contests can become talking points for the whole season.
Match play, a game of 21, or simply seeing who can make the most one-putts (with a small prize on the line) are all great ways to simulate real on-course pressure. Recently, I played in a putting contest where one competitor made back-to-back 30- and 50-foot putts. As they say, expect your opponent to make every putt—and he nearly did. That’s impressive, and it’s something you see on the course, too: you have to stay committed to your game plan, no matter what.
When it comes to practice, it’s important to blend feedback from recent rounds with the fundamentals you want to reinforce. Drills, games, and competition—from the driving range to the putting green—form the backbone of skills you’ll rely on during actual rounds.
Finding the right balance is something we’re all working on, one practice session at a time. With the beginning of June on the horizon and courses rounding into peak condition for the season, it’s time to hone the finer skills that often get rusty over the winter. More sunlight also means more time to get out on the course and work on your game. Whether it’s the practice green or the driving range, there’s always something to improve—whether you’re enjoying the fresh air or preparing for a weekend game or tournament. You can work on drills or freestyle around the green, and friendly competition is a great way to sharpen your skills. While there are endless ways to get better at golf, I’m going to focus on practicing around the green. Let’s take a look at a few things to keep in mind as we head into the summer months.
Drills
From the driving range to the practice green, it’s important to incorporate drills into your routine. Years ago, I spent a weekend working on my short game with James Sieckmann. He recommended doing drill work for 5–10 minutes, then returning to your main practice. This way, you create a balance between structured drills and real-world scenarios, so you’re not confined to “perfect” situations. For example, hitting the same three-foot putt over and over is good for repetition, but after a while, it becomes less interactive for your brain.
My approach is to use a putting trainer with a narrow gate for the ball to pass through, or simply place tees just outside the width of the ball. I’ll hit a series of four putts through the gate for three sets. Then, from a similar distance, I’ll hit four putts without the training aid and repeat that sequence three times. Next, I’ll hit a number of 15–25 foot putts in a random fashion, then circle back to repeat the short putt drills with and without the training aid.
This breaks up the rhythm of hitting short putts with the training aid. When you hit the same short putts over and over, it’s easy to get into a groove—which is great for the drill, but not reflective of actual course play. While finding a rhythm is fundamental for drills, I like to introduce variation with longer putts to keep things realistic.
Game Mode
Once you’ve established a foundation with drills, it’s time to simulate on-course scenarios. This is where a few practice games come in handy. One that I’ve been enjoying lately involves putting 10- to 15-footers with two balls. If I make the putt, great! If I miss, I pull the missed ball back a putter length.
Suddenly, that little tap-in becomes a nerve-wracking three-footer—at least at first. As you get better at this game, those three- and five-footers become much more comfortable and routine. It may sound cliché, but each shot is just what it is—it’s how we react that makes the difference. I like this game because it blends the pressure of on-course putting with the consequence of leaving yourself a much longer putt than usual.
Another game I like is one I recently learned from Brad Faxon. Place three tees in a line at four different locations around the hole: one at 3 feet, one at 6 feet, and one at 8 feet. The 3- and 6-foot putts count as par, and the 8-footer is for birdie.
This game keeps you focused on scoring and helps you get into a competitive mindset. You can even think about this putting game while you’re on the course. I just started playing it, and last week I couldn’t get better than two under par.
Competition
Competition during practice is when drills and games come to life, and you start to see results. For me, nothing beats a putting contest with a friend or two. In the right setting, these contests can become talking points for the whole season. Match play, a game of 21, or simply seeing who can make the most one-putts (with a small prize on the line) are all great ways to simulate real on-course pressure. Recently, I played in a putting contest where one competitor made back-to-back 30- and 50-foot putts. As they say, expect your opponent to make every putt—and he nearly did. That’s impressive, and it’s something you see on the course, too: you have to stay committed to your game plan, no matter what.
When it comes to practice, it’s important to blend feedback from recent rounds with the fundamentals you want to reinforce. Drills, games, and competition—from the driving range to the putting green—form the backbone of skills you’ll rely on during actual rounds. Finding the right balance is something we’re all working on, one practice session at a time.
For Korean golfers, we always look forward to the last of the kkot-saem-chu-I for the true start of a new golf season. The term refers to a cold snap, but literally translates as “winter being jealous of the flowers beginning to bloom, thus lashing out one final time before surrendering to spring”.
A rather poetic mouthful packed into a short expression.
Koreans can be like that. Understated, yet oddly expressive at the same time. And nowhere is this more true on the golf course and in our golf bags. In fact, I suspect many Korean golfers look forward to new apparel and accessory drops more than they do actual equipment launches each year.
At this point, Korean golf fashion may exist on its own timeline. (courtesy of @seonbi_golfer)
There is ample evidence to support that suspicion. Korea is the world’s third-largest golf market behind the United States and Japan, yet its appetite for golf apparel exceeds that of both countries combined. Recent estimates suggest that Korea accounts for nearly 40 percent of the global golf apparel market, placing it among the world’s most influential golf fashion markets and punching well above its size.
Simply, we care deeply about how new golf clubs look and feel, but enjoy looking good while swinging them even more.
Golfers in the West may laugh and say that golf is played on a course, not a fashion runway. Perhaps. But what’s the harm in trying to look and feel good, if the added self-confidence can help actual performance? It certainly seems to have worked for Jason Day, who may have unlocked a new stats category: dormant strokes gained. Coincidence?
During the COVID-era, estimates placed the market near $9 billion, an astonishing figure for a single country.
As a proud member of Gen X, I’ve witnessed the highs and lows of golf fashion firsthand. The pleated trousers and wing-tipped shoes of Jack Nicklaus, the stylish plus-fours and knickers of Payne Stewart, the baggy black trousers and fitted mock-necks of Tiger Woods, and the thigh-hugging athletic tailoring of Rory McIlroy. Golf fashion, like the golf swing itself, has rarely stood still.
But nowhere have those trends shifted, evolved, and been scrutinized quite as relentlessly as in Korea. Here, golf fashion moves faster than fairway gossip, and consumers dissect brands with a level of discernment that can be both impressive and mildly terrifying. New brands are studied, judged, embraced, or dismissed with startling efficiency.
The result is a consumer base with one of the sharpest eyes for quality and authenticity anywhere in the world. It is difficult to quantify, but easy to recognize. Clean lines without trying too hard. Luxury mixed with utility. Trend awareness balanced by restraint and purpose.
It’s golf fashion shaped by one of the world’s most style-literate cities, something I like to call Seoul Sensibilities, referring to the taste level forged by a uniquely competitive environment.
And increasingly, global brands have noticed.
Many golf brands in Korea have their own flagship shops dedicated to apparel only
Titleist understood this years ago, when its apparel business in Korea took on a life of its own under new ownership and local direction. What had once been a straightforward extension of an iconic equipment giant became something sharper and more premium. By going all in on the serious Tour-player look (I couldn’t even fit into their XL sizes), Titleist struck the right chord with Korean consumers and helped its fledgling apparel business break into the mainstream. Titleist became a household name even for non-golfers who wore its caps, shirts, and windbreakers in daily life. In many ways, it proved that even heritage golf brands could carry real fashion credibility when viewed through a Korean lens.
Several years later, PXG took a page out of Titleist’s playbook and followed suit. Korean consumers helped transform the brand from one known largely for irons and loud commercials into something broader and more stylish. PXG apparel’s growth in Korea was explosive, where it found an early audience and turned the category into something more than mere logo merchandise. It is still hard to walk anywhere in Seoul without seeing its palindrome logo.
Malbon’s meteoric rise in the United States was genuine, but its ascent into a global golf lifestyle brand owes much to Korea, where it was elevated by a market already fluent in modern golf style. Korea did not simply embrace Malbon. It pressure-tested the concept, refined its appeal, and helped push it into the global spotlight.
As such, new brands may arrive from abroad, but more often than not, their sharpest evolution happens here. If a brand can earn credibility in Seoul, it’s deemed to have passed one of the toughest style audits in the game.
That is why the next meaningful chapter may not come from outside, but from a Korean brand moving in the opposite direction, carrying those Seoul Sensibilities outward as K-pop once did.
Play young Stay dope.
From Seoul, With Intent
Khalhon is a label that feels less like a trend-chasing newcomer and more like the product of a market that has already seen everything. Golfers here have long been surrounded by luxury logos, technical fabrics, and tour uniforms disguised as lifestyle wear and vice-versa. In other words, novelty alone rarely lasts here, and the Koreans seems to understand that instinctively.
Its style language leans into clean silhouettes, relaxed but tailored proportions, muted palettes, and premium materials that speak quietly but confidently. There is a modern city aesthetic running through it all, with strong layering pieces, thoughtful textures, and subtle branding that suggests sophistication rather than demanding attention.
“Built for the course. Designed beyond it.”
Most importantly, the garments seem designed to blur the line between golfwear and everyday style. Shirts, trousers, knitwear, and outer layers move comfortably between a game of screen golf, a lunch reservation, an airport gate, or an afternoon coffee in Gangnam with friends.
It raises the question of whether this is golfwear that happens to look good off the course, or everyday clothing that performs beautifully on the fairways.
Personally, I have long appreciated Nike Golf for its clean, athletic modernization of golf attire. It also has the useful side effect of making me look like a more serious golfer than I probably am. But off the course, there are times when being instantly identified as the golf guy in a crowd of non-golfers can feel a touch self-conscious.
“Built for the course. Designed beyond it.”
That is part of what drew me to Khalhon, which seemed to blend golf and everyday wear naturally. While some of the outfits may be slightly beyond my personal confidence level, the brand also offers tasteful options for older guys like me who still want to express a little personality without regretting the decision later.
These are not simply flashy outfits worn on the course and then banished to the closet until the next tee time. They work surprisingly well off the course too, and I suspect many of the pieces will still look right a couple of years from now, which would certainly be kinder to my wallet than most golf fashion trends tend to be.
And perhaps that broader lifestyle positioning also helps explain why someone like Sean Wotherspoon would find Khalhon creatively interesting in the first place.
“Built for the course. Designed beyond it.”
“Korea is not only one of the most fashion-forward golf markets in the world, but one of the most fashion-forward markets globally. Korea is ahead, and I love to watch and try to catch up.” – Sean Wotherspoon, Creative Director at Khalhon
Seoul and Beyond
If Khalhon’s rise says something about where Korean golf fashion is today, its relationship with Sean Wotherspoon says even more about where it is heading.
For readers less familiar with Sean Wotherspoon, his arrival at Khalhon is not some routine celebrity endorsement or influencer collaboration. In design and streetwear circles, Wotherspoon is regarded as one of the more influential creative voices of his generation, particularly when it comes to blending nostalgia, storytelling, and contemporary culture into products that people can connect with.
He first gained widespread attention through his now-famous Nike sneaker collaborations, where his vintage-inspired designs and instinct for color helped turn him into one of the defining artists of the late-2010s sneaker era. His work gradually expanded beyond footwear into apparel, automotive collaborations, collectibles, and broader lifestyle design.
Modern golf style now extends well beyond the fairways, where performance and functionality are largely expected by default. And while plenty of brands already make technically competent golfwear, Khalhon seems more focused on designing clothes people would genuinely want to wear even after the round ends.
And when guys at Wotherspoon’s level show genuine interest in working with a Korean golf brand as its new Creative Director, fashion circles tend to sit up and pay attention. There’s already a huge buzz among the fashion-conscious here about upcoming collabs with iconic sports stars and brands.
“My creative direction for Khalhon is disruptive, colorful, nostalgic, and modern. My goal is to blend these avenues seamlessly within each collection.” – Sean Wotherspoon
In chatting with Sean, what stood out most to me was how genuinely energized he sounded about the project itself. Despite having already worked across and countless other creative spaces, he described golf as a completely fresh category for him, saying that Khalhon “will be an amazing vehicle for my design work.”
At the same time, his enthusiasm seemed tied just as much to Korea itself. He spoke openly about admiring Korea’s fashion culture while repeatedly insisting he is still a terrible golfer.
There was something oddly refreshing about that humility. Rather than sounding like a celebrity parachuting into golf simply because the category suddenly became fashionable, Sean sounded genuinely curious about what Korea might do with the category next.
And perhaps that is what makes Khalhon feel interesting right now. The brand feels less like a trend-chaser and more like the natural result of a market now confident enough to export its own point of view.
For years, global brands came to Korea to sharpen their image against one of the most discerning audiences anywhere. Now, a Korean label appears ready to send those Seoul Sensibilities outward instead.
Which brings us back to kkot-saem-chu-i.
That final cold snap before spring always arrives with a reminder that seasons are changing, whether we notice it immediately or not. Golf fashion feels a little like that right now as well, as the old boundaries between sport, streetwear, luxury, and everyday style continue to soften.
And somewhere in Seoul, a Korean golf label already seems prepared for whatever season comes next. I just hope they have everything in my size.
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Irishechoes
Oct 2, 2013 at 7:32 pm
Dennis, I really appreciated the article. Can you explain how a golfer can implement the mechanics to “get the club club more out in front of him.” What’s the secret to accomplishing this and avoiding the “stuck” that causes blocks and hooks?
Dennis Clark
Oct 3, 2013 at 8:29 am
Sure I have an article coming out soon that details this but briefly…The ARMS swing the club, not the body. The arms hang from the soldiers, so UPPER body rotation in the downswing is critical. Thinking of the hips and core only will not automatically swing the golf club back out in front of you. Also the torqueing of the club by rotating the arms is important. Dragging the handle (trying to “lag” the club) gets it stuck behind and under. I hope that helps.
christian
Oct 14, 2013 at 10:12 am
make sure you start the downswing with your arms, and not from the ground up = not stuck anymore. Especially important if you have fast hips.
Corrie-Lynn's dad
Sep 26, 2013 at 9:28 pm
I love how people are pretty much attacking Clark. Just a simple column, addressing a player attempting to correct his swing flaw, with what he determined through his experience in teaching, incorrectly.
I think tiger just jumps on the throttle a little too hard. His failed attempts to break the habit of in to out, I’m sure it’s not for the lack of practice, could be the one and only thing that is bigger than him.
nik
Sep 26, 2013 at 11:01 pm
Critique comes with the privilege of writing articles for WRX. As a master instructor with over 40000 lessons under his belt, I think he can handle it.
Ted McIntyre
Oct 2, 2013 at 3:03 pm
I agree with the “jumping on the throttle” suggestion. Tiger’s most violent swings are invariably his biggest misses; whereas his smoothest passes at the ball reflect the advantages of his swing changes. I can usually tell where the ball is going as quickly as he can simply by the nature of the swing leading to impact. I swear if he took a valium every nine holes, he would have won 12 times this year.
sam
Sep 26, 2013 at 5:27 pm
Glad to see you back Dennis and hope you are feeling well. Keep up the great contributions!!
nb1062
Sep 26, 2013 at 12:27 pm
I have to laugh at some of the comments on here. I think that Dennis may very well have something here but those of you who are Tiger apologists won’t see it because you perceive it as a personal attack on him. I’m a big Phil fan, but it’s plain to see that Phil has swing flaws and sometimes he just plain chokes. Phil more than readily admits those things. Tiger is human and he’s not perfect, do I think that being tired on top of his swing flaws is feasible? Yes. It can be one or the other at different times and both at the same time as well.
Alan
Sep 26, 2013 at 12:55 am
Dennis, after reading this article I had to post a comment or a little more than that. I find that what you wrote is purely based on your opinion and maybe even to stir some conversation which it has. I do believe Tiger when he says that he is tired and that is the reason why he plain out sucked. His explanation of why he was hitting left is his own and what he believes was causing his bad play. If you have ever played any other sports other then golf then you know that when your legs go everything else goes. When a NBA team plays back to back nights the 2nd night they usually look sluggish and miss shots. You can say their form is bad, but what is causing it? Oh what, fatigue? We all know Tiger is not great at driving the ball, but to say its because he is “stuck” or a couple of degrees closed open what ever is just silly. That is just stuff they see on a launch monitor but has no bearing in a real game because conditions are different, ball placement may be different or body position. When he has to drive it straight in the clutch you will see him come thru because that’s just sports. Jason Dufner comparison? Just silly. Duff man has just been on the scene for 2 years in the spot light and before that I dont think he was doing many interviews or had as many obligations as Tiger. Even tho they are similar in age, Tiger has had a lifetime of golf compared to Dufner on a whole different level. At the end of the season it can get tiring and it showed in the fedex tourney that’s it. Im pretty sure he will still win many tournaments next year with his “stuck” swing.
Dennis Clark
Sep 26, 2013 at 11:05 am
Actually much of what I said is based on observation. I have taught golf for 32 years to some 40,000+ players and when I see blocks and hooks, I don’t need radar to tell me the cause. Tiger played 16 events on the PGA Tour this year; many of the other top 10 players played over 20, so I’m surprised that the guys who played well in the end were not also tired? And as I mentioned, you are preaching to the choir. I’m a huge Tiger fan, happy to be alive during his prime. He is the best ever. He would be even better if he could get the ball in play more off the tee. That’s all I have said
Martin Chuck
Sep 25, 2013 at 11:08 pm
Dennis, glad you are feeling better. Good article and thanks for the contribution.
Dennis Clark
Sep 26, 2013 at 10:58 am
Thanks Martin; open heart surgery is NO fun!
Chris
Sep 25, 2013 at 9:42 pm
I do not know why people are busting this guys Balls. TW fanatics cannot stand anything critical about their man. This is not North Korea, you can be critical about the Dear Leader.
Ted Cole
Sep 27, 2013 at 8:16 am
Chris… I happen to believe you are correct. This Tiger-mania is ridiculous. Tiger wins on the same 7 courses every year. He might win 2 tourneys or 5 tourneys but they are all won at the same place. This is not a bad thing but it does require some examination. He hasn’t won a major in 5 years because his swing is just not up to snuff. Dufner handled himself the way I would love to be able to do under the extreme pressure of a major championship. His swing was honed and he was mentally prepared. Listen… if I were competing in a tournament that was being held at my home course I would be well-favored to win. Tiger is a great golfer… possibly the best ever. But all these sycophants that defend every little criticism seems ridiculous to me. Tiger has swing faults just like you and me… not as exaggerated but he has them. And I don’t think he is done winning major championships… but I think the point of the article is that Tiger’s issues relate more to a swing fault and less to being fatigued… and I think that is right on point.
Bob Zinna
Sep 25, 2013 at 8:17 pm
To be fair to Dennis even Hank Haney alluded to the fact that he thought Tiger had a case of the “driver yips.” That statement is really a pretty amazing statement though. Tiger on the range according to Hank is capable of streaks where he can do anything he wants for hours on end but Tiger shocked Hank when he took a 3-wood on a hole Tiger dominated with driver at his home course where the Tavistock Cup was being played. In other words even Tiger Woods like many of the greatest actors of the past is capable of “stage fright.” What left me cold was the way the article simply closed with the usual throw off line about Tiger going on to shoot two closing rounds in the 60s despite a “disappointing” week. The thing of it is players, even Tiger don’t shoot 60s by accident and nevertheless these players who shoot 60s are still human with all of the flaws that entails. The driver is different, hit with a peg and I have no doubt Tiger could dominate on tour hitting driver off the deck instead of teeing it up! The real criticism of Woods that hits home the most is not the technical criticism such as from Dennis here, it’s the fact that Tiger really should not be overdoing the analysis, as he along with Couples and Sam Snead were the greatest artistic golfers around. When you have that sort of artistic talent why ruin it by becoming robotic and mechanical.
Dennis Clark
Sep 27, 2013 at 9:25 pm
Thats an interesting Hank observation-From one who admittedly had driver yips so bad he had to focus on looking at the bill of his cap in the downswing! But I think I agree to some extent. Its difficult to hit up a ball from your left side! Thx, DC
nik
Sep 25, 2013 at 7:05 pm
You Tiger fans are something else.
The whole thing of him being gassed rang untrue to me as well. And, if he is indeed tired, whose fault is that? HIS OWN. He should be managing his time differently. Excuses, excuses.
And sorry, Dennis, but you giving tips to Tiger is like Sussmayr giving lessons to Mozart.
Jack
Sep 26, 2013 at 5:14 am
I think it’s more that they have played 4 out of 5 weeks or something like that. I don’t know about you, but that’s alot of rounds. 16 rounds in 5 weeks. Along with practice sessions etc. And he’s 36 or 37. How many other golfers his age are contending? Stricker and Furyk? I think Tiger could use some of that 5hr energy.
Peep
Sep 26, 2013 at 5:17 pm
Jim Furyk averages 33 events a year.
Tiger only plays an average of 17.
Do the maths. If he’s gassed, it’s not from golf.
Dennis Clark
Sep 26, 2013 at 11:40 am
SO Tiger is a better golfer than I so I should not offer him suggestions? Continuing that line of thinking, neither should Foley, Haney or anybody else on planet earth. But he’s had a coach his whole life. Hmmm…As a PGA Master Instructor with some 40,000 lessons experience, I feel confident offering suggestions to anyone. Thx
nik
Sep 26, 2013 at 10:58 pm
This is what I’m saying, yes. Tiger’s golf IQ is sooooo far above even exemplary instructors (such as yourself). We are talking about the best ever, are we not? The guy is a golfing supergenius, and I’m not sure what you’d have to offer him that he doesn’t already know.
Would you give Seve a short game lesson too?
Dennis Clark
Sep 27, 2013 at 4:37 pm
What Im saying is this: Regardless of Tiger’s skill level, which is obvious, he has a fundamental flaw that may keep him from jack’s record. I offered my opinion as to what that flaw is and what he might do to correct it. It matters not that he is Tiger Woods-swing flaws are swing flaws and EVERYONE has one. Would I give Seve a short game lesson? No because i don’t believe he ever struggled with that part of the game. God knows he needed a driver lesson! At the ebd of his brilliant career he couldn’t drive it in the ocean from the beach. But short game? Why mess with perfection? Just learn from it! I work with several people who could beat me 7 days a week (especially at 65 years old) but I help them and they keep coming back. You cannot confuse teaching with playing ability. If Tiger only took lessons from people his skill level, there would be no one on earth who could teach him. Could Jack Grout beat jack Nicklaus? Could Harvey Penick beat Tom Kite? As a player I was a middle of the pack club pro, as a teacher I am Master level instructor. That is why the best players in the world seek trained eyes on their swing. I appreciate your comments though and I always welcome other thoughts. DC
nik
Sep 27, 2013 at 7:49 pm
Seve most likely did struggle with his short game while learning to play. Left to his own devices he became the guru we all knew him to be. And that’s my point- Tiger has never truly needed a teacher. His OCD with technique and seeking out new instructors may very well be what keeps him from 19 majors.
nik
Sep 27, 2013 at 7:58 pm
And to further my Mozart analogy- he went from a child prodigy (much like Mr Woods) to a composer who wrote music that the best minds in the field had not yet conceived. Tiger could have done the same thing for golf if he could have left himself alone.
WES
Sep 25, 2013 at 6:46 pm
I liked it, good article. Tiger should never be physically tired with how hard he works at fitness, unless he’s hiding another injury (which he’s been known to do.)
La
Sep 25, 2013 at 7:56 pm
Yeah, she’s called Lindsey.
mwmilk123
Sep 25, 2013 at 4:22 pm
Don’t write an article around here lately, especially about tiger. You will hurt feelings. Thanks for taking your own time to contribute Dennis, its appreciated by most. Lets not forget your instruction contributions also, thank you.
Dennis Clark
Sep 25, 2013 at 9:15 pm
Thanks. The thing is I am a big Tiger fan. Met him, played golf with him; he’s a great dude. Just fights his driver now
Mike Riffice
Oct 1, 2013 at 6:20 am
Dennis…i thought the article was well conceived and written. I do not know enough about the technical aspects of the swing to comment, but its fair to see that we see more wayward shots from Tiger than we did before. I will say that the constant scrutiny, from the press to every babba-booey goof ball must be exhausting for Tiger. I realize he gets “paid” and helped generate the interest in him and his golf game, but that scrutiny (just think about getting reviewed by your peers…as well as those who have no real expertise) on a 24/7 basis takes a toll.
Ted McIntyre
Oct 2, 2013 at 2:58 pm
If he was struggling on the driving range and back at his home course in Florida, I’d say he needs to work on further changes, but in my experience he seems to be striping it all day long on the range—including the driver—which suggests to me that it’s in his head, not his swing.
J
Sep 25, 2013 at 4:04 pm
His energy expenditure in bed with Lindsey is what’s making his legs weak.
Jadon
Oct 2, 2013 at 2:09 pm
+1
naflack
Sep 25, 2013 at 2:23 pm
i bet jim hardy could help tiger significantly.
be more active with the upper body and accept the natural draw flight.
Payton
Sep 25, 2013 at 2:15 pm
Its unreal that someone can write something like this. Tiger Woods has more of a demanding golf schedule in general then anyone on tour or in golf. I don’t care if TIger is better off the tee Tigers true strength has always been his short game and ability to make the shots that win which Tiger can still go. Winning 5 times including WGC’s I wouldn’t call that a unsuccessful season by any means. Tiger Woods has many more years of dominant golf left including multiple majors.
naflack
Sep 25, 2013 at 2:25 pm
he wont win another major…
hey
Oct 11, 2013 at 11:28 pm
Yeah, they also said he would never win again.
big meech
Sep 25, 2013 at 1:25 pm
his swing direction is usually left, homie ain’t stuck!
Jack
Sep 26, 2013 at 5:10 am
It’s what I do with my inside out swing. Sometimes I close my clubface too much (and it has to so that the ball curves back) resulting in a hook to the left. Not saying I’m anywhere his level, but same general concept I believe.
Alex
Sep 26, 2013 at 12:57 pm
Bigmeech speaks the truth. His path problem is not from going too far left
Alex
Sep 26, 2013 at 12:57 pm
Sorry meant too far right
Axleinc
Sep 25, 2013 at 12:59 pm
Cause Dennis Clark has all the answers and insight to all of life’s questions…
And weather or not people are tired or not.
Dennis Clark
Sep 25, 2013 at 3:01 pm
Dennis Clark is a golf pro who writes a column for this site. Insight to all of life’s problems is not discussed that I know of. But thanks for your insights.
Cannon
Sep 25, 2013 at 3:27 pm
Hahahah nice comeback.
Scott F
Sep 27, 2013 at 1:24 pm
Tiger talked about getting stuck years ago I remember he was on some Golf Channel show back in late 90s early 2000s with Butch. He talked about that move of getting stuck and its not that hes too inside but more in that his hips are turning so fast his body cant keep up. He fought that his whole life. Interesting though that his misses are more pronounced with his driver but hes one of the best iron players ever. Wouldnt these same flaws show up as much in his iron play?
Frankly I think his problem is same as Phils youre older and still want to keep up distance wise with the young guns so you overswing with the driver. If Tiger and Phil both swung at 75% of effort with driver most if not all the time, Tiger wouldve beat Jack by now and Phil would have prob 10 majors or more. Ego gets in the way. Dont think it has much to do with swing path.
Matt
Sep 25, 2013 at 12:31 pm
He admitted in his press conference that he doesn’t play a lot outside of tournaments, but he does love to practice. Surely that’s part of the issue. It’s all well and good doing stuff on the range and gym but you need to be on the course. Until he does that, for me he won’t be ble to attack a course in a major and his game stand up to he pressure
Tim
Sep 25, 2013 at 12:17 pm
If Tiger is struggling so bad, then what the hell is the rest of the Tour doing? Why can’t people realize he’s never going to be Tiger of 2001. Tiger’s getting older and he’s now trying new things to keep winning on a very competitive PGA Tour. Guess what even with all these so called flaws Tiger’s winning again. Maybe he needs a little rest. No other golfer especially players you mentioned like Bo Weekly have half the Media obligation that Tiger has to deal with week in and week out. maybe they would be tired too if they had to deal with so much, maybe he’s mentally tired of answering the same freaking questions day in and day out. Tiger is only good in everyone’s eyes is if he wins every single time he plays, anything less then that requires so kind of ripping!
Dennis Clark
Sep 25, 2013 at 3:04 pm
In my opinion he’s the best player ever. Simple as that. The article does not say otherwise. It states that his driver gives him fits at times and suggests what he might think about to correct it.
BILL ELLIOTT
Sep 25, 2013 at 12:04 pm
While I am inclined to agree with this, he also hits more golf balls than probably most people on tour tryin to fix all these problems. He practices way more than he plays, this packaged with his busy schedule of appearences and children ect. I can see why he is tired.
Fred
Oct 17, 2013 at 1:11 am
Bill: one of the guys on the Golf Channel made an interesting comment the other day that is somewhat related to what you had to say. They said that Tiger no longer hits the driving range after a round of golf during a tournament like he used to. My gut feeling says he’ll win one of the majors next year. I’ve also read more than one statement by a professional that stated Tiger may have very well won the Masters this year if he hadn’t hit that pole.
Dennis Clark
Oct 23, 2013 at 2:29 pm
I agree with that! Cost him 3 or 4 shots really, he’s looking a kick-in for birdie and makes 7, not to mention the mental damage of the uproar by Brandel, the wannabe, Chamblee.
krddurham
Sep 25, 2013 at 11:28 am
He won five times this year…I wouldn’t exactly call that struggling.
Big_5_Hole
Sep 25, 2013 at 11:41 am
Also, who are you to say he’s not tired? I’d suggest that the demands on Tiger Woods far outweigh the demands on Boo Weekley throughout the year; it isn’t a fair comparison. Also, remind me how many surgeries Jason Day (what is he? 25 years old? Were you ever tired at 25?) has had? Again, unfair.
Lastly, if you’ve ever played golf, let alone competitive golf, you know that swing flaws get exaggerated significantly when you’re mentally and physically exhausted.
I’m a long way from a Woods apologist but this is a mediocre at best piece.
Big_5_Hole
Sep 25, 2013 at 11:43 am
When I say “If you’ve ever played golf” it is clearly not directed at a PGA professional; it is more of a “anyone who has played golf” statement. Just to be clear.
naflack
Sep 25, 2013 at 2:12 pm
jason dufner and jason day are 2 completely different people…dufner is roughly the same age as tiger and plays more events.
perry
Sep 26, 2013 at 10:17 pm
Tiger needs to get Brandel Chamblee on board for some swing help. Maybe Johnny Miller could get in there with some helpful tips, too.
Dennis Clark
Sep 25, 2013 at 3:13 pm
I’m just the guy who wrote the article to answer your question. And I’m a big Tiger Woods fan, I happen to think he’s the best player ever. The article merely suggests that regardless of how tired he or any of the tour pros are, swing flaws are not the result of the fatigue, they are bad habits to be dealt with. Tiger is so good he can win driving it crooked, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t win more if he drove it better.
Jack
Sep 26, 2013 at 5:07 am
I agree on this. He’s basically just too good in that he swings it so hard. And he can’t seem to get rid of the inside out swing path (which I’ve heard him talk about over and over in clinics on youtube). Funny thing is I have a similar problem. Too bad I’m not even close to being as good at golf. I’ve recently switched to hitting more of a fade on iron shots, and it’s producing some nice controlled fade shots as well as some shanks (killing me). Don’t have the confidence to apply it to driver or fairway wood yet, but I am loving the control (when it’s not shanking off the hosel).
Dennis Clark
Sep 25, 2013 at 3:35 pm
Jason Day? Is he mentioned in the article?
Big_5_Hole
Sep 27, 2013 at 4:27 pm
My bad, mis-read Dufner as Day.
Dennis Clark
Sep 25, 2013 at 3:06 pm
He could win left handed; that’s not the point of the article. I said he struggles off the tee. He is the best 13 club player in the word and has been for some time. He won five times, could have won more with better driving is all I’m saying. Thx