The Tiger Effect

Walking through the entrance gates into Emirates Golf Club on Sunday 13th February, it’s the final day’s play of the 2011 Dubai Desert Classic. Approaching the range and there is a certain someone wearing a red shirt beginning his warm-up, that’s right Mr. Tiger Woods. I have never watched Tiger Live before and was excited, to say the least.  It is clearly evident watching him hit balls on the range that he is really one of the games great ball strikers. The trajectory and distance control was phenomenal and everything looked so in control. Even his first tee shot was a different class, a high draw 3 wood that held into the wind, finding the middle of the fairway leaving a short iron in for his approach. Although he struggled on the last day (his swing couldn’t be any more different on the range to the course) it was great to see him live for the first time and see the crowds all run after him after every shot. Even a trip to the little boy’s room is followed by a crowd of people all looking for a close up of him.

What was amazing to me is that we all so often hear the question asked players about the effect Tiger has on tournaments and their chance of winning the event. The standard reply is that they pay no attention to him and they feel they can beat him. What’s funny is that for every shot I watched Woods hit on the range, every professional both coming and going all stopped and watched at least one shot. For every tee shot, putt or approach shot he hit on the course there was always a look over in his direction to get a glimpse from a fellow competitor.  So this really does make me feel that there is still very much the Tiger effect. Despite all the critics Tiger has, he very much is still the man everyone wants to watch.

It’s also given me the platform to help you with your golf with a quick tip for the week. Why is it easier to hit the ball on the range compared to the course? The answer is tempo and timing. All good golf shots have rhythm and tempo. It’s easy on the range because you are under less pressure, but when you are on the course everyone at some point will tighten up and swings become quicker and less balanced. To help with this I would like you to think about completing your golf swing. Have a practice swing and hold the follow-through for a couple of seconds, feel what it is like to have a full completed swing.  Now all you have to do is repeat the same feeling when hitting the ball.

Make sure you finish your swing and hold a balanced follow-through. The only thing you can do on the course is make as good a swing as you can. Let this be your last thought before you hit the ball.

Best Wishes from Yas Links
Steven