OT-Interesting Tiger Article

I only had time to skim it - interesting that I saw no reference to his father, who apparently pushed him pretty hard. I could easily see him not really enjoying golf, but doing it to please his father. That's not uncommon among people I know (except they go into different professions than Tiger did). Nonetheless, I don't think that's a reason to feel sorry for him. Lots of people aren't genuinely passionate about their jobs, except they don't have unlimited $cha-ching$ sitting around.

I don't like the conclusions the author draws or the way they are presented. It sounds good, but it's too superficial of a POV. First of all, when you are as good as something as Tiger is, you almost have to pursue it. Especially if it can make you worth somewhere around a billion dollars and doesn't involve committing criminal acts. Also, it got him the approval of not only his father, but that of a demographic that normally wouldn't give him the time of day unless he was their caddy, waiter, bartender, or locker room attendant. I don't have first-hand experience on this, but I have done some work with the Professional Caddies' Association, have attended a few tournaments, and have an idea of what goes on in a standard tourament week. Monday: travel or maybe a day off. Tuesday: practice rounds and practice on the range. [12 hours] Wednesday: Pro-am, interviews, and practice. [12 hours] Thursday: First round, interviews, and practice [12 hours] Friday: Second round, interviews, and practice. [12 hours] Saturday: Third round, interviews, and practice. [12 hours] Sunday: Fourth round, interviews, and practice. [12 hours] These are approximate, and don't include things like sponsor obligations, etc, but basically, a golfer works 72 or more hours a week during tournaments. Twenty of these (the number most used in reference to Tiger's participation) work out to approximately 36 forty-hour work weeks. I know it doesn't seem like work to most of us, but it is responsibility and they are always "on stage." So, maybe Tiger just doesn't like to pile too many 72-hour weeks on top of each other. Besides, Tiger probaby works closer to 80 than 72. I am guessing that Tiger still loves the game itself, but hates "being Tiger." It's not like he can go to the mall and chill (insert joke about buying his own mall here). I am also guessing that he had a lot more fun playing at Stanford and being a normal student-athlete. I agree with the author's conclusion that Tiger is, and I hope I get the quote right, "a perfectionist in a game where perfection doesn't exist," but I don't agree that he has lost his love for the game. I am guessing he has just lost his love for the dog and pony show that surrounds it in his case. Also, when the author mentioned perfectionism, he touched on OCD without actually saying it, but failed to explore the connection between chronic pain and OCD, which is probably quite relevant considering that Tiger has lived with chronic pain for at least six years. So, while I appreciate the work the author put in, I don't agree with most of his column. But I do think it is a good piece for discussion.