What we don’t talk about…

Here at The Golfing Life we try to stay away from the gossip of the golf world. However, I think we would be remiss to ignore what is going on with the whole Tiger Woods debacle. We won’t comment on his “transgressions”, but we can’t not mention the fact that he has decided to postpone his golf career indefinately. Many people are asking, “What does this mean for the game of golf?” The game will certainly change, probably in viewship, sponsorship and a host of other ways. But while what Tiger did was most certainly wrong, we certainly put him up on a pedestal didn’t we? Everyone (except for some pros apparently) thought Tiger was all about golf 24/7 and when we found out he wasn’t, that he is human and makes mistakes that perfect image came crashing down.

Following that theme, I read an interesting blog post late last week on Yahoo! Sports by Dan Wetzel, discussing the comparisons that have been made between Tiger and Phil Mickelson and how maybe they haven’t aways been fair to Mikelson. Here’s an excerpt:

There’s no telling whether Mickelson is enjoying this or not. He’s always come across as a compassionate guy, so he’s probably like most people – surveying the carnage with a feeling of disappointment that something, let alone a young family, could become such a mess.

There’s more to it than that for Mickelson though, and I’ll be the first to offer my apology to him for it.

The guy has been ridiculed for years for supposedly lacking the same commitment to winning that Tiger Woods displayed.

Tiger was the guy who worked out relentlessly. Phil was the one who didn’t always look good in a golf shirt.

Tiger was the one whose mental approach was paced by an unwavering focus. Phil was the guy from San Diego with the goofy smile on his face.

Tiger was the one who often prepared and practiced 24/7. Phil was a guy who might leave the course and get in on dessert.

Tiger was the one that cared so much about victory that nothing, absolutely nothing would get in the way. Phil spent too much time interacting with the fans and playing with his kids.

Tiger won, in part, because he never had to turn his passion for victory on. This was because he never turned it off. Phil lost because he didn’t or couldn’t match that.

The comparisons had to absolutely chap Mickelson because it’s quite possible he’d heard whispers about the life Tiger Woods really was living. The public may not have known, but certainly those in the inner-sanctum of the tour must have had suspicions, if not confirmations.

Tiger Woods is a better golfer than Phil Mickelson and probably always will be. Tiger Woods has proven repeatedly that in crunch time, he is mentally tougher than Phil Mickelson.

What can’t be said is that Tiger was what we thought he was – a golfing machine who walked, talked and cared about only one thing, breaking Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major championships.

Turns out he spent huge chunks of his free time in cocktail lounges, Las Vegas casinos and juggling multiple romantic relationships. He lived the exclusive, jet-set, VIP concierge party life more associated with rock stars or young Hollywood than a guy with membership to Augusta National. He even wasn’t above running around in the middle of tournaments, if his girlfriends are to be believed.

He may have been able to roll out of bed after a night of carousing and still humble the rest of the world’s golfers, but it wasn’t because he wanted it more than they did, as the legend was told.

As expected, quite a few professional golfers have commented on Tiger’s decision to leave the game of golf indefinately. Stephanie Wei, from www.weiunderpar.com has compiled quotes from Greg Norman, Steve Williams, Nick Price, Colin Montgomerie and other golfers. To see all of them check out her blog. Here are a few of the quotes.

THE DON’T DRAG ME INTO THIS MESS:

“I am a straight-up sort of person. I tell it like it is. Last year, at the same particular point of time, is when I had the confrontation with Phil Mickleson [the world’s No 2 ranked golfer]. I didn’t lie about it – I called the guy a prick. I never said I didn’t call him a prick. I never denied one word of what I said…I had no knowledge of what Tiger’s indiscretion was. And for Rick Reilly to turn around and say that I am a liar and there is no way I couldn’t know – and that I should be fired – that is sensational journalism at its height right there. I am an honest person. I had no knowledge of what was going on [with Tiger]. If I did, I would say I did.” —Steve Williams

THE LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE:

“I think the mystique has gone. He is suddenly, and I hate to say it, more normal now. Let’s hope golf is not damaged by that. It shouldn’t be…It will have an impact on every tournament Tiger plays. There was an aura, but that has been split. It gives you more opportunity of winning these events.” —Colin Montgomerie

THE DISAPPOINTED BUT OPPORTUNISTIC:

“I’m a big fan of his, a friend of his, and I miss him. I love watching him play, like everyone else. The good news for the rest of us is it’s going to be a lot easier to win tournaments without Tiger playing. But we need him out here. What he’s done for our tour and golf over the last 13 years is unparalleled, really. Whenever he comes back, hopefully it’s smooth sailing and he’ll be better than ever.” —Mark Calcavecchia

THE ECONOMICALLY TOPICAL:

“I don’t think it’s going to help anything, that’s for sure. Especially with the recession we’re in now. It’s hard enough to find sponsors, and now without Tiger it’s going to be a challenge…I think there will be an effect. We all know that. There is an effect when he doesn’t play in a tournament, let alone taking time off. He has been golf since he turned pro. And he’s delivered on all of the expectations and more.” —Nick Price

THE THIS IS PARTIALLY OUR FAULT:

“I think it’s unfair how we have built him up over the years. Obviously on the course he’s one of a kind. No one really know what he was like off the course. He’s a tough guy to get around. He has his own little group. I know him strictly basically on the professional level, at tournaments, some of those team events. But I think it’s a little unfair how we judged him. And really, shame on us for thinking that’s all he went home to do, think about golf and practice and that was it. You know, so it’s a shock. It’s most definitely a shock to everybody to hear what’s been going on. But, you know, hopefully he gets it straight. Staying away I think is a great thing to get his family life in order. There’s no question we’re gonna miss him out here. Hopefully he gets his priorities straight and gets back soon.” —Steve Stricker

THE I WANT ANSWERS BUT I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT MY OWN PRIVATE LIFE:

“The tour has got to be worried, because what’s the definition of ‘indefinite’? Does indefinite mean, ‘OK, it might be a year because a lot of issues have got to be resolved’? That’s the word you’ve got to kind of drill in on.” —Greg Norman