The New Rules of Golf Instruction Blog and Golf Tips

No I do not think Tiger will win 4 more majors. Many GREAT players have played their entire career without winning 4 majors! 100% agree about Stevie, you are spot on!

I agree, Tiger will break Jack's records for major. Also, agree that Tiger should have work to improve his swing from the 2000 US Open. Yes, Caddies are hired and fired everyday. Stevie and CBS were out of lined. CBS should never have interviewed him after Scott's win.

You pretty much gave the most comprehensive answers!! Not much more to say about Tiger's problems. Thanks, Charlie

Hi Charlie, 
 
Great blog and yes everyone is asking the same question. 
I think the bigger question is character and self-belief as to whether Tiger will ever win another major. 
In his prime, he was unbeatable because he had enormous self belief. 
That's what you need to hole the clutch putts, make chips and hit the ball where you want it to go. 
 
I think his swing is secondary to his bigger problem...lack of confidence...and we all know how that came about.  
From being invincible, he has learned to doubt... and that spells an end to any professional athletes career. 
 
I don't think we will see Tiger come back until he has forgiven himself and mastered a new emotional relationship with a woman. 
 
All the best, 
Mark

I have tried the stack and tilt.I have also tried Shaun Foley version of the golf swing.I will tell you this,My golf swing is better with your method than the above.I am a teaching pro and You make things understandible.I do not believe Tigers putting stroke will come back

I am a Biomedical Engineer. 5 years ago I said Tiger's back would not hold up with that hard swing. I was wrong, it was the knee that gave away. He wil not ever come all the way back and will not surpass Nicklaus's major record.

Tiger says he changed from Butch because that swing was great when he was "on", but not as reliable as he wanted it when he was a little 'off'. Tiger enjoyed the status of being almost a mangod and he wanted perfection. Golf does not allow for perfection. We must learn to manage ourselves when our swings are 'off'. That, to me, was Tiger's flaw. He couldn't stand not having it all. He fired Butch as Butch became famous, he fired Fluff Cowan when he became famous in his own right. Same with Stevie. Tiger is lost. But I love comebacks and root for him to break Jack's record. He was so electric. I hope it is not all over.

A thought about golfers over 35 years of age and why their putting goes sour. Many times it is a matter of eyesight. They think they are aiming where they need to hit it, but in reality their eyes are letting them down. A simple drill to prove this: take a straight putt of 6 feet or so and have a target board with a spot about the size of a golf ball. Try to hit the spot with the putt (speed is not a factor, you are simply trying to hit the spot). If eyes are a problem you will consistently hit to either the left or the right of the target. The downfall of great putters is the failure to hit the ball where they think they are aiming.

Looking forward to him breaking Jack's record. 
 
 
 
Can't believe he has that much talent to make major swing changes and still be right at the top. He's got the work ethic to make this one work. 
 
 
 
Putting...he'll find a way. 
 
 
 
Don't think the caddie hits the shots or makes the putts. Stevie had a great ride, he should be more grateful and humble.

I Think Tiger will come back and break Jack Nicklaus's record. 
 
In golf a lot of things come and go so I think yes his putting will come back. 
 
He is the best thing that has happened to golf in many years and generated many more fans of the game.

I believe Mark makes some very valued points. No. 1 Every great athlete in every sport makes changes in his game. Only way to get better. So that is a mute point. It doesn't matter if it works or not the smartest players figures it. 
 
No. 2 Nobody knows if he is even going to be alive tomorrow so I don't dwell I things I can't control let alone what someone else can't control. 
 
No 3. People can achieve a lot of things especially when you have total dedication. So we will have to see what his priorities are in life. Point was obvious to me that once Tiger made the statement on TV and said that family is the most important thing in his life and if he was serious than he lost the ability to be the best. In this day and age it's hard to find the Nickaules who could balance both life and sports and whatever. To me it takes an extraordinary personality which Tiger doesn't possess at this time. 
 
No.4 Once again it doesn't matter how, what, why or where and when about somebodies business. Emotions play the only part when there is confrontation. So nothing in this world is foreseen to an exact science. They probably will be laughing about it in a few years.

1. too many swing changes. he cannot have a natural swing using differnt swings every 5 or so years. 
 
2. too many up and coming young players that hit the ball further and have all the aspect of a great golf game. look at usga am just concluded. great young amateurs coming up. most of the young pros and amateurs have his number and are not afraid of him.  
 
3. he has lost confidence in all aspects of the game. he's totally lost both mentally and physically. 
 
his mystic is gone. personally i hope he does not win again. 
 
4. williams was wrong in his comments but tiger was wrong in the way he handled the firing. williams appeared to stand behind tiger through thick and thin. you know he knew what was going on behind the scenes but he has never revealed it.

Tiger can win four or more majors if he can bring back that passion, dedication, commitment and focus that creates self-confidence. Go Tiger!

Charlie, You embrace the true soul of the game of golf when you address these difficult questions. Thank you for sharing and stating your thoughts. You should be helping Tiger. 1) swing changes - hurting and he needs to return to the natural swing that delivered his peek performance. 2)I COMPLETELY agree that Tiger will beat the record or exceed the JN record provided his health is the same. He has it in him and always has. 3)The putting will come as natural as breathing. As Tiger enjoys the game again and enjoys his life again putting will return with work and hours and hours of pratice.4) It is difficult to say if the firing of SWilliams was handled correctly, it is without question easy to say that Williams was clearly angry with Tiger and didn't do the game of golf a favor or either PRO that has given him work and wealth the honor and respect they deserve. His comments we immature and delivered at the wrong time. Thanks Charile, LOVE THE BLOG, and know that Tiger and all of us are due forgiveness and peace. When Tiger finds that in himself we will see a change. He has our prayers. Karen

Hi Charlie: 
In addition to the knee, I think Tiger must overcome some pretty serious psychological trauma that he has suffered. If he can overcome those problems he will win again, if not, he won't. 
Agree with your comments on Stevie. 
Bob

Well having learned a lot about the golf swing from you in Orlando, I see the one thing that has been his biggest issue for years and even Hank Haney has made reference to it. As long as tiger dips down so much through impact and rises out of his posture, I just don't believe he will be consistent of the tee and if you take notice he's not hitting it as close to the hole as he did before. Haney made a reference that Tiger dips down so much out of fear of not knowing where it is going, but if you notice, this dipping move has gotten worse and that leads me to think he is not comfortable at all with this swing or where the ball is going. My advice for him is to go out and just start hitting shots. Take a look at the hole and what is in front of you and hit the shot that is required. Stop worrying about the swing and go play the game. He says he can still hit all 9 ball flights, well let's see them and let's get out of this swing mode and get into the game mode. Your a heck of an instructor Charlie, keep up the good work. 
 
Brad, Columbia, SC

I do not think Tiger's NEWEST swing is better than swings of the past..however..I do think he still has time to break Jack's record. His putting will return, and NOBODY knows the true degree of mental "fogging" his escapades has brought on himself. I am one of Tiger's biggest "hater" but I say time heals "most" wounds.

1.Tiger has indicated that it has taken two years in the past to get comfortable with a new swing change. Given his age he cannot afford two more years to grove it. He needs to go back to Butch and bring back his old swing. 
 
2.Tiger will not beat Jack's record. He has to many problems that is effecting his game. He has been poorly managed through his problems. 
 
3. I am not sure he will ever putt the way he did. 
 
4. I will not comment on the handling of the firing of Steve Williams. However, Steve was the one strength on the golf course and given his state of play he should not have gotton rid of him.

Tiger will break the record. I'm with Charlie on the math behind that answer. One major every five years, over the next 20 years. He can do that. No problem. 
 
Some people have to go back two steps before going three steps forward. Tiger's swing is in the two steps back stage. He should come out ahead if history repeats. 
 
Tiger's putting stroke and pre-shot routine look okay to me. When he gets his full swing back in order, and can get himself in contention, I think he'll start making some clutch putts again. 
 
I enjoyed the Steve Williams interview and thought it was cool that he took a shot at Tiger on live TV. A lot of people say that he was taking away from Adam Scott, but Steve was the bigger story. Very entertaining. CBS did the right thing and took advantage of the opportunity that was presented.  
 
 
 

Tiger needs to get his head out of his ASS... If his Dad were here instructing him ,telling the Tiger to ship up or ship out .. and All the people around him kissing his booty at every turn , he would rise up to the level he has trained for and adjust to the game his dad planned for him. His swing has very little to do with it,, the swing is in his brain.. some one needs to tell him... like the Dad would "remove your head out your Ass Boy , and play golf..TY

I am not interested in his private life. Many a great man has done far worse things in life and didn't get found out or were forgiven. Many a professional golfer will have done far worse things that did not break the news. 
 
I want him to win 4 or more because millions of people started to play this great game because of him me included. The great Seve B was just the same he only won six majors yet everywhere he went he was the superstar and millions of people wanted to play because of him. 
 
Also , Tiger has won 14 but how many times has he been oh so close? 
 
People should listen to Mr King because he probably understands what it takes for us all to enjoy the game at whatever level. 
 

Yes, Tiger will break Jack's record. He has been on/off but when the odds are in his favor due to his proven skills. 
 
Tiger's putting will become more solid...Many great golfers have faced adversity and overcome far greater obstacles whether mental or physical...that is part of their greatness. As for caddies...where do I sign up? LOL!

He could win more than four if he would pay you a visit!

Charlie, thanks for talking about what most won't!  
 
Tiger's swing was as perfect as it gets with Butch. There is a reason that a lot of players are with Butch now... They saw what he helped Tiger get to, and wanted a part of that. Look at Phil. He has a great swing and looks like a left handed version of that Tiger swing, but he doesn't have the putting that Tiger did.. And that is why Phil is hit or miss. The swing is there to beat Jack's record, Tiger just needs time to practice... I think Tiger will beat the record, I hope he does and I hope he finds Jesus in the mean time.  
 
As for Tigers putting, he is WAY TO MECHANICAL! He needs to let it be more feel and less mechanics. I know he has the right mechanics, he just has to much going through his head during the putt. If there is one thing I have learned as a golfer and a teacher of golf, it is too many swing thoughts creates a mess of a mind and will cause a round to go south over one swing or one bad putt. 
 
As for Stevie...I believe Stevie did let his emotions get the best of him... That is not how a caddie should or would act on my bag. 
 
Keep it coming Charlie... Love your insight and knowing there are still people who aren't afraid to be honest in this business!

Charlie, your instructional feeds are very helpful and innovative; some of the best I have ever seen; amazing! They continue to validate your stature as a top instructor in the country. Please keep on that track with focus on the purity of the instruction. We already have too many people talking about other stuff like Tiger etc that too are only sharing their opinion about what he will or won't do and it doesn't amount to much other than that. Too many other people are regrinding the same topics over and over. Especially productions like the Golf Channel. Please don't become one of them and go down that road too. The purity of your earlier feeds on instruction are a breath of fresh air in the golf discussion; help us talk more about that and less about other stuff like Tiger and what he or Phil or anybody else may do or not do, and if what they did was politically best or not as in Stevie's case. We desperately need your clear focus on instruction and how to improve instruction. That said, your comments about whether Tiger's swing changes were benefitting him or not and why or why not was in my opinion relevant within the notion of my suggestion to stay true to the purity of instruction in your feeds and thank you for that analysis.

Charlie, 
 
I think Tiger will have a great 2012 and win at least one major next year (possibly without Mr. Foley). If Tiger doesn't perform well, he will be ok, but I'm not so sure that golf will be ok without Tiger's fist pumps. Tiger WINNING is vital to the sport.

I think Tiger will break record. 
I am not sure about how well he will do with Foley. It seems to be more of a complete start over than just correcting a few things like it has been in the past. 
Tiger's putting seems to be lost. He seems to have forgotten feel when putting. Looks more like most of us putting. 
As for Stevie I wasn't there when he was let go so can't say one way or the other. But Steve's response was very poor and I lost all respect for him.

I am learning to putt at age 42, and at the moment my eyes are changing. I simply adapt. I believe Tiger can and will too. So putting will come back to him, i believe that. Swing.. body changes, bad knee, whatever. Also i believe he can adapt to that. And last, when his self confidence and respect for others is in the right place, there is no limit to what he can do, on a day when he feel good. Win a few more majors, why not ? he's one of the best, and one of the best will win them, so no doubt, he will get Nicklaus record. Didnt Nicklaus use the same swing over and over ? strength in golf is to adapt to situation. If Tiger is changing all his things to adapt, he will adapt. Give it some time. He's far from over. My 2 cents.

Thanks for your perspective as a teaching professional, Charlie. I respect what your opinion greatly . 
 
There's an article in the July edition of Golf magazine about what happens to guys when they become no 1 in the world. In short it takes its toll psychologically. Tiger was no 1 for 623 weeks, twice as long as the next longest(Greg Norman). I think Tiger just doesn't have the all consuming passion that it takes to be at the very top any more. Some guys lose this drive after just a few weeks as number one. He is still a great golfer and no doubt a competitive man but the passion...I think it's gone and for that reason I don't think he will break Jack's record.

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