The Duffers Golf Club - the virtual Golf Club for all golfers with handicaps of 19 or more. Click here to enter if you are a member. If not, sign up here - it's free!

It's driving Tiger crazy!  Can you help?

September 7, 2003;  Source: AnyoneForTee.com
Driven to desperation, Woods asks fans to get him back on the straight and narrow

World no. 1 Tiger Woods has shocked the golfing world by announcing that he is unable to find a cure for his driving woes, and has turned to armchair golfers in front of their TVs to see if they can help.

His desperate plea for the tip or swing-thought that will put him back on track has been specially printed on the back of his Nike shirts and will appear on his website and in the newsletter for his fans.

The sad story of Tiger's erratic tee shots is only too evident in his PGA Tour statistics, compared to just a year ago.

Ranking Driving Accuracy Driving Distance Total Driving
2002 107th 6th 11th
2003 145th 14th 47th

But statistics weren't really necessary in recent months to see that Tiger has reached the end of his tether, as yet another drive found the long grass off the tee.


'Sorry Tiger, there's nothing more I can do for you'Furious and frustrated at talk of a "slump" after failing to win a major championship in 2003, Tiger feels he has exhausted all the conventional methods in his efforts to drive the ball consistently in the fairway. He has worked hard on the practice ground. He has gone back to his long-time swing coach, Butch Harmon. He has switched from the Nike driver back to his old Titleist. But nothing has been able to keep him on the short stuff, and six major champonships have now gone by without Tiger adding to his tally of 8, in pursuit of Jack Nicklaus' record 18.

Sandwich was indigestible for Tiger"I have to turn my game around," Tiger told AnyoneForTee. "I want to win majors, and I can't do it from the rough. In the British Open I flared my first drive way right and lost the ball. That cost me a triple bogey seven and in the end Barry Collins (Ben Curtis - Ed) beat me by two shots for the title. So you see, a straight drive there, a par, and I'd have won."

Tiger's decision to ask his fans for help has astonished the golfing establishment, but Tiger thinks it makes sense. "I can feel what's wrong with my swing," he said, "but I can't make myself correct it. It's a problem the weekend golfer faces all the time, and sometimes it just takes one little swing-thought or tip to help it all come right, so I thought I'd ask the fans what they'd do if they were me."

How did that one look?A dedicated toll free number (1-800-GOTIGER) has been set up to take the expected avalanche of calls of advice, or fans can e-mail Tiger via the feedback page of his website. "If you're watching me on TV or in the gallery and you have an idea, just call the number while the thought is fresh in your mind", he asked. "I'll give everything a try."

'Thanks for the tip KJ - I'll try it'Although he is well aware of the cost of the best golf tuition from the likes of Butch Harmon or David Leadbetter, not to mention the rewards in prize money and sponsorship which a rejuvenated game could bring him, Tiger will not be offering cash for the tip that works.

"If I give a fan cash, he will lose his amateur status," he explained. "But whoever sends me the tip that sorts out my driving will win a round of golf with me on the course of his or her choosing, anywhere in the world. It's the least I can do."

So if you think you have the secret, get calling or e-mail Tiger. You could win a round with the world no. 1 - and help him look for his ball.
 
Back to top     



This page © Copyright 2003 by Duffersgolf
Played by more Duffers than any other ball
Play the Great Greta - the Duffer's most trusted weapon
The golfer's bra - supporting women's golf for twenty years
For the Duffer whose game really stinks!
It's a pleasure to play badly in the Duffer's favourite shoe. Sand, water and rough-proof, even after 150 shots!
The ball even Duffers can't cut!