Tiger Woods is lacking confidence, not a swing
Star golfer Tiger Woods recently said that he is keeping his options very open and may coach himself instead of working with a professional. Although the fourteen-time major champion has won several non-major tournaments in the past few years, he has not won a major since his legendary U.S Open win in 2008.
On the course during the majors, he has often looked like he has been scrambling for his life. He has come close several times since then with nine top-six finishes since his last major, but his best finish in the last five majors has been a tie for 40th. Some say that Woods trying so hard to catch Jack Nicklaus is what’ really holding him back, which may be part of it.
Tiger Woods has not won a major since the 2008 U.S. Open — Photo courtesy of Getty Images
However, a big part of it is also trying to find a new identity and sense of confidence. Identity and confidence means everything in this mental game of golf, but in many ways, a player’s identity on the course is related to his or her identity off it.
Tiger seems to have lost some of his confidence since his memorable scandal.
“I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to,” Woods said. “I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled.”
Although this way of thinking was immoral, the notion that he was on top of the world probably fueled his confidence, and is probably a big reason why he was dominating the PGA tour for years.
When you look at video of the old Tiger, you see a man with a Jordan-esque flare, a man who thought he was invincible and played like it.He was full of passion and this passion carried him to victories. He fist pumped with more intensity, he swore and was much more violent with his clubs. Just looking at the way he carried himself on the course, you could tell he was a force to reckoned with.
Where has the 2000 Tiger Woods, who guided his putt to the hole with his finger at the PGA Championship, gone? Where is the Tiger that slammed his hat down at the 2008 Arnold Palmer Invitational? Where is the 2008 Tiger that fist pumped after sinking the putt to get into the U.S. Open playoff against Rocco Mediate?
This wild beast has been tamed, and now, he just looks emotionless and lost when he plays in majors. Since the scandal, he has become a different man, not just in his scores in majors but also off the course. In addition to his struggles in the majors and reducing his anger on the course, he got divorced, his kids are growing up and as far as we know he is faithful to his girlfriend Linsey Vonn.
Not to forget, Woods has had multiple injuries. The injuries has held him back to some extent, but not nearly as much as his mental game. The possible decision to coach himself may be a turning point; maybe this is the point where Tiger finds a new identity.
Woods started out his career with Butch Harmon from 1996-2004, and worked with Hank Haney from 2004-2010. The last four years, Woods has worked with Sean Foley.
The truth is that the only obstacle standing in Tiger’s way of winning another major is himself. The man has received a great deal of criticism for constantly trying to change his swing after having achieved a formula for success.
Reality is, he does not need a swing coach. This is the time for Tiger to take a step back and stop over-thinking everything.
He can only rediscover the harmony he used to have in the majors on his own; no Butch Harmon; no Sean Foley; nor Hank Haney can give it to him.