Rick Reilly: Tiger needs to clean up his act

[lewpac]

I just don't see all the fuss.

Yeah, he express's his frustration in HIMSELF, because he never lets up. After all this time, all the wins, all the majors, some of the most classic highlight shots ever captured on film................he comes out the next weekend not satisfied and pining for even a better effort.

But I've never seen him do anything or say anything over-the-top. Certainly nothing extrordinary or "T.O" like, nothing controversial or worthy of gasps or scorn. So he gets a little agitated over imperfection. That should be celebrated and admired rather than ratting the guy out.

Enjoy this guy while he's around. Cussing and club slamming an all. Because someday, he'll be done. ANd then we'll all sit around and wax eloquent about the "good old Tiger Woods day".

 

[Gemini Dolly]

Dont ever change, Tiger.

 

[Shneek814]

haha this article makes me too mad to even comment almost...i wish every athlete had the competitive spirit Tiger posseses. bottom line, he is the only athlete in his or her respective sport that is actually bigger than the actual sport itself.

 

[Doomsday101]

I just don't see all the fuss.

Yeah, he express's his frustration in HIMSELF, because he never lets up. After all this time, all the wins, all the majors, some of the most classic highlight shots ever captured on film................he comes out the next weekend not satisfied and pining for even a better effort.

But I've never seen him do anything or say anything over-the-top. Certainly nothing extrordinary or "T.O" like, nothing controversial or worthy of gasps or scorn. So he gets a little agitated over imperfection. That should be celebrated and admired rather than ratting the guy out.

Enjoy this guy while he's around. Cussing and club slamming an all. Because someday, he'll be done. ANd then we'll all sit around and wax eloquent about the "good old Tiger Woods day".

I agree the competitive sprit by Woods is why he is as good as he it 14 majors and counting. He expect the best out of himself and when he does not live up to his own high expectation he shows his frustration. Tiger is never going to settle for less than perfection

 

[Rogah]

I wasn't technically comparing Harrington to Tiger. I was making an illustration to indicate how GREAT Tiger really is. Padrig's recent exploits served to make my point.

Except no one is disputing Tiger Woods' greatness. What is being discussed is his actions on the golf course.

The point being, is that every weekend in every professional event in golf, someone good is not playing well, frustrated, banging a club, cussing and twitching and huffing and puffing about his/her game. Everyone is prone to the going on at one time or another. And, you never hear a word about it unless it's Tiger Woods. In fact, Reilly wrote an entire article about it.

I am a very casual golf fan. I watch the majors and that's it (and even that's only if nothing better is on). And I all I can say is that from my own observations, none of the golfers displayed the unsportsmanlike behavior I saw from Woods.

Now, that may simply be because Tiger is on TV more than any of the other golfers. But I didn't hear any f-bombs from Padraig when he shot that 8 on a par 3.

Why? Because he's Tiger Woods, who has so seperated himself apart from EVERYONE else on tour that he's under a different microscope. He's not allowed to be human. He's not allowed to show emotion. He's not allowed to get frustrated or angry over his game. He's Tiger Woods, and he should know better. He's an ambassador for the game like no other at any time for two reasons: His "minority" status, but more so for how dominant he is.

Getting frustrated and angry is one thing. Dropping f-bombs and slamming your club into the ground is another.

 

[Doomsday101]

Except no one is disputing Tiger Woods' greatness. What is being discussed is his actions on the golf course.
I am a very casual golf fan. I watch the majors and that's it (and even that's only if nothing better is on). And I all I can say is that from my own observations, none of the golfers displayed the unsportsmanlike behavior I saw from Woods.

Now, that may simply be because Tiger is on TV more than any of the other golfers. But I didn't hear any f-bombs from Padraig when he shot that 8 on a par 3.
Getting frustrated and angry is one thing. Dropping f-bombs and slamming your club into the ground is another.

You said you don't watch much golf, many on the tour have done the same as Tiger. Tiger is what novist watch, if Tiger is not playing many will not even tune in. For those of us who watch the PGA on a more regular basis we see Tiger behavior no different than many on the tour.

 

[lewpac]

Except no one is disputing Tiger Woods' greatness. What is being discussed is his actions on the golf course.
I am a very casual golf fan. I watch the majors and that's it (and even that's only if nothing better is on). And I all I can say is that from my own observations, none of the golfers displayed the unsportsmanlike behavior I saw from Woods.

Now, that may simply be because Tiger is on TV more than any of the other golfers. But I didn't hear any f-bombs from Padraig when he shot that 8 on a par 3.
Getting frustrated and angry is one thing. Dropping f-bombs and slamming your club into the ground is another.

Lets examine "Unsportsmanlike".................

What is that? Is it unsportsmanlike to be mad at YOURSELF? This is uncharted territory, because the term, everytime in my 50 years that I've heard it used................it's been used 100% of the time when one athlete takes it out on another athelete.

Refusing to shake hands after a game (Lebron James), throwing punches, spitting on your opponent, badmouthing your opponent after a loss, refusing to give credit to the guy or team that just beat you, losing it and "going off" at the post-game press conference, etc, etc.............

All examples of "unsportsmanlike conduct". But I've never heard it called, and I personally have never assigned unsportsmanlike conduct to an individual who takes his dissapointment or frustration out on himself.

I cannot recall Tiger Woods EVER doing or saying anything untoward or unsportsmanlike to another person when he's in a pissy mood. Not ONCE. Maybe he has, but I wouldn't know it. If someone choses to beat himself up and be critical of himself over his game, I don't consider that unsportsmanlike conduct. I think the correct term is "striving for perfection".

 

[lewpac]

I'm gonna' take an educated guess at what's coming next:

The old "golf is a gentlemans game, proper manners, proper decorum", blah, blah, blah................

I'm guessing that this is coming soon, because if you insist that Tigers actions are "unsportsmanlike", then this is all you'll have to go on. Because as I stated, he's never physically or verbally assaulted anyone else when he's frustrated, so the only default position left (if you insist that he's unsportsmanlike) is this notion that the game of golf is "above the fray" and only played by the properly behaved swells of the world.

Which, of course, is a crock. If it were ever true, those days are looooooong gone. The PGA Tour, as well as on every golf course in the country every weekend, is full of characters and colorfull people who use VERY colorfull language and exhibit all types of behavior.

I myself am only a weekend-dufffer. And I cannot recall any round of golf that I've played with 3 or 4 guys where theres not a litany of cussing and spitting and throwing and slamming for the entire four hours. Plenty of smoking and drinking and chewing as well.

John Daly is the most obnoxious example on the tour, but there's more than a few guys out there who aren't your typical "gentleman".

 

[Doomsday101]

I'm gonna' take an educated guess at what's coming next:

The old "golf is a gentlemans game, proper manners, proper decorum", blah, blah, blah................

I'm guessing that this is coming soon, because if you insist that Tigers actions are "unsportsmanlike", then this is all you'll have to go on. Because as I stated, he's never physically or verbally assaulted anyone else when he's frustrated, so the only default position left (if you insist that he's unsportsmanlike) is this notion that the game of golf is "above the fray" and only played by the properly behaved swells of the world.

Which, of course, is a crock. If it were ever true, those days are looooooong gone. The PGA Tour, as well as on every golf course in the country every weekend, is full of characters and colorfull people who use VERY colorfull language and exhibit all types of behavior.

I myself am only a weekend-dufffer. And I cannot recall any round of golf that I've played with 3 or 4 guys where theres not a litany of cussing and spitting and throwing and slamming for the entire four hours. Plenty of smoking and drinking and chewing as well.

John Daly is the most obnoxious example on the tour, but there's more than a few guys out there who aren't your typical "gentleman".

Even guys like Bobby Jones were known to lose their temper and throw a club. There are highly competitive people who expect so much out of themselves and as you said they don't take it out on the other players their anger is directed at themselves.

 

[Rogah]

Lets examine "Unsportsmanlike".................

Sure thing..!! But let's do so in the context of the sport Woods plays. I know you consider this a lot of "blah blah blah" nonsense but the simple fact of the matter is that golf is a gentleman's game above and beyond any other sport. There are no referees calling technical fouls or throwing 15 yard penalty flags. The players police themselves. I remember watching some golfer lining up to putt and the ball moved like a quarter inch on its own. So he immediately stepped away from the ball and called a one stroke penalty on himself.

So until some referee says Lebron James was fouled and Lebron says to the ref "no, that foul should actually be called on me since I was charging - let's give the ball to the other team" then pretty much any comparison to other sports are worthless.

What is that? Is it unsportsmanlike to be mad at YOURSELF? This is uncharted territory, because the term, everytime in my 50 years that I've heard it used................it's been used 100% of the time when one athlete takes it out on another athelete.

No, it's not unsportsmanlike to be mad at yourself. But it is unsportsmanlike in golf to regularly drop f-bombs and slam your clubs into the ground.

All examples of "unsportsmanlike conduct". But I've never heard it called, and I personally have never assigned unsportsmanlike conduct to an individual who takes his dissapointment or frustration out on himself.

Then you must not watch sports terribly often. If you throw your bat down in anger or frustration in baseball, you can get kicked out of the game (I am not saying it always happens, but it certainly can). If you slam the ball to the floor in basketball they can call a technical on you. Take your helmet off in football and that's 15 yards.

I am surprised you have never seen any of those things happen.

I cannot recall Tiger Woods EVER doing or saying anything untoward or unsportsmanlike to another person when he's in a pissy mood. Not ONCE. Maybe he has, but I wouldn't know it. If someone choses to beat himself up and be critical of himself over his game, I don't consider that unsportsmanlike conduct. I think the correct term is "striving for perfection".

I agree that he has never done any of those things to other players. But throwing temper tantrums on the golf course is unsportsmanlike.

 

[Rogah]

You said you don't watch much golf, many on the tour have done the same as Tiger. Tiger is what novist watch, if Tiger is not playing many will not even tune in. For those of us who watch the PGA on a more regular basis we see Tiger behavior no different than many on the tour.

I would be very interested in seeing some examples of other golfers engaging in the same conduct. I am perfectly open minded to the notion that Tiger's behavior is not out of line with what others regularly display.

 

[Doomsday101]

I would be very interested in seeing some examples of other golfers engaging in the same conduct. I am perfectly open minded to the notion that Tiger's behavior is not out of line with what others regularly display.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwUneL--oJ0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDnyCERFPpY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzm2KcpzRm4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LANlSLkzhIA&feature=related

 

[Rogah]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwUneL--oJ0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDnyCERFPpY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzm2KcpzRm4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LANlSLkzhIA&feature=related

If those are the best examples you have, then you've really done nothing but support my case. I've only heard of one of those guys and one of those videos is 12 years old (and the rest look even older than that).

Since those videos, while funny, are your best shot then obviously you have no examples of prominent golfers establishing a regular pattern of unsportsmanlike behavior the way Woods has.

EDIT: Let me try and clarify my remarks... I am not saying no golfer has ever behaved in an unsportsmanlike manner. What I am saying is that Tiger Woods displays a pattern of regularly doing it above and beyond any other golfer I have seen, especially the prominent ones. Like I said before, I didn't hear any f-bombs from Padraig Harrington when he hit the water hazard twice this past Sunday.

 

[Doomsday101]

If those are the best examples you have, then you've really done nothing but support my case. I've only heard of one of those guys and one of those videos is 12 years old (and the rest look even older than that).

Since those videos, while funny, are your best shot then obviously you have no examples of prominent golfers establishing a regular pattern of unsportsmanlike behavior the way Woods has.

EDIT: Let me try and clarify my remarks... I am not saying no golfer has ever behaved in an unsportsmanlike manner. What I am saying is that Tiger Woods displays a pattern of regularly doing it above and beyond any other golfer I have seen, especially the prominent ones. Like I said before, I didn't hear any f-bombs from Padraig Harrington when he hit the water hazard twice this past Sunday.

You just said you don't watch the PGA on a regular basis many players lose their temper, sorry if you find that offensive but it is the reality. Tiger is not going to change he is who he is and he plays with a lot of passion and the fans love him as I said many who do not watch the PGA on any regular basis still tune in to watch Tiger Woods. Is he a perfect man? No but he plays the game with passion and has placed great expectations on himself. As for Harrington because you did not see him use the F-bomb also does not mean he did not use it and even if he didn't that is him we are all different people not robots. If you think Tiger is unsportsman like well that is you view and your opinion I don't share it, I have yet to see Tiger slam another player or walk away without shaking the mans hand he is playing with.

 

[WV Cowboy]

I have never questioned Tigers competitive spirit.

I truly admire his excellence, ... if he is on his game, he wins.

I don't think anyone can beat Tiger except Tiger.

He is just gifted.

There are others that are as competitive, and others that have practiced as much or more than he has, but he is still better than they because he is special.

The only thing about him that I don't care for is him using the F word and taking the Lords name in vain.

That doesn't bother some, but it is unacceptable to me.

One because it shows ignorance and lack of vocabulary, and the other is because of the poor example it sets for those that look up to him.

 

[joseephuss]

I have never questioned Tigers competitive spirit.

I truly admire his excellence, ... if he is on his game, he wins.

I don't think anyone can beat Tiger except Tiger.

He is just gifted.

There are others that are as competitive, and others that have practiced as much or more than he has, but he is still better than they because he is special.

The only thing about him that I don't care for is him using the F word and taking the Lords name in vain.

That doesn't bother some, but it is unacceptable to me.

One because it shows ignorance and lack of vocabulary, and the other is because of the poor example it sets for those that look up to him.

We do know that Tiger is not ignorant or lacking in vocabulary. It may set a poor example, but I have always been of the mind set that athletes are not role models.

I don't have a problem with Tigers tantrums nor do I have a problem with Reilly's article. I know that is middle of the road, but neither thing bothers me. They both have the right to throw tantrums or right articles about those tantrums. Reilly being one of Tiger's biggest fans would know about something like that. And Reilly is not the first person I have heard say that Tiger is known for his little tirades.

 

[Rogah]

You just said you don't watch the PGA on a regular basis many players lose their temper, sorry if you find that offensive but it is the reality.

I didn't say I found it offensive and I don't know what would make you think I did. All I said was that when I am watching golf, I don't see anywhere near the same level of whining, foul language and unsportsmanlike behavior from any of the players to the degree I see it from Tiger.

Tiger is not going to change he is who he is and he plays with a lot of passion and the fans love him as I said many who do not watch the PGA on any regular basis still tune in to watch Tiger Woods. Is he a perfect man? No but he plays the game with passion and has placed great expectations on himself. As for Harrington because you did not see him use the F-bomb also does not mean he did not use it and even if he didn't that is him we are all different people not robots. If you think Tiger is unsportsman like well that is you view and your opinion I don't share it, I have yet to see Tiger slam another player or walk away without shaking the mans hand he is playing with.

Well, I think there's more to sportsmanship than shaking your opponent's hand at the end of the round.

 

[WV Cowboy]

We do know that Tiger is not ignorant or lacking in vocabulary.

At that moment, he is showing both.

 

[Doomsday101]

I didn't say I found it offensive and I don't know what would make you think I did. All I said was that when I am watching golf, I don't see anywhere near the same level of whining, foul language and unsportsmanlike behavior from any of the players to the degree I see it from Tiger.
Well, I think there's more to sportsmanship than shaking your opponent's hand at the end of the round.

We just disagree. Tiger berating himself in my view is not poor sportsmanship. If he was interfering with the person he was playing with then yes I would agree but coming down on yourself in my view is not poor sportsmanship. Tiger is not playing to the camera he is being who he is and highly competitive perfectionist. Troy Aikman used the F-bomb of his own yet I don't see him as a poor sport just a perfectionist expecting the most out of himself and others. In Tigers case it is just him. I think it is this drive that has lead Tiger to an astounding 14 Majors thus far in his career

 

[Rogah]

We just disagree. Tiger berating himself in my view is not poor sportsmanship. If he was interfering with the person he was playing with then yes I would agree but coming down on yourself in my view is not poor sportsmanship. Tiger is not playing to the camera he is being who he is and highly competitive perfectionist. Troy Aikman used the F-bomb of his own yet I don't see him as a poor sport just a perfectionist expecting the most out of himself and others. In Tigers case it is just him. I think it is this drive that has lead Tiger to an astounding 14 Majors thus far in his career

You keep bringing up other athletes from other sports, but as we have established, sportsmanship within the context of golf is far different than sportsmanship within the context of football or basketball.

Go to a football game and scream your head off before every important play. Go to a golf tournament and do the same. Then let us know if you're treated the same way in each sport, or if there are different expectation between golf and football for the fans and the participants.