ldevon1

May 29th, 2017 at 1:00 PM ^

especially with how fast he has fallen. I think his career is now a wrap, but is still the second best golfer there ever was, and the most influential golfer of our time.

Wolverinefan84

May 29th, 2017 at 10:26 PM ^

I agree Arnie definitely had the biggest cultural impact/influence of the game, in terms of expanding the game's outreach to all.

But on the professional level and the talent needed to win on the PGA tour, Tiger had the biggest influence of any past, present, and likely future player on the game. He was the first to prove that physical weight/strength training gives a huge advantage, and he really set the bar for the dedication it takes to be the dominant (think "Tiger Days". Hell, the PGA tour even needed to start "Tiger Proofing" their courses.

Being born in 93 and playing competitive golf throughout high school/college, there wasn't a person in the world I idolized as much as him as a kid. What a stunning and sad fall from grace he's had.

huntmich

May 29th, 2017 at 1:36 PM ^

Tiger woods played the best golf that was ever played by anyone and absolutely dominated a field that was much better than the competition Nicklaus ever had to face. Just because his career didn't last as long as Nicklaus doesn't make him lesser.

Mongo

May 29th, 2017 at 3:14 PM ^

Watched both players in their primes and Nicklaus was the more complete player. And he dominated for a much longer period against the greatest players of all-time - Hogan, Palmer, Player, Watson, Trevino, Weiskopf, and Norman - look up the records of those players. That is two generations of the best players in the history of golf during which Nicklaus accumulated 120 tour titles and his major record. He beat Greg Norman when Jack wasn't even in his prime! Tiger battled only Phil Michelson who is a hall of fame player but the rest of that generation doesn't stack up to Jack's string of world-class opponents.

ijohnb

May 30th, 2017 at 2:36 PM ^

plays a game with which I am unfamiliar" was a quote by Bobby Jones about Jack Nicklaus. 

As for their respective games, Jack was probably the best driver of the golf ball ever to live.  He hit the ball 330 yards with 1960s equipment while hitting a controlled fade.  The combination of that shot shape that promotes accuracy with Jack's prodigous distance was truly remarkable.  Both were very good iron players, Tiger was far superior with wedges, out of the sand, and with trouble shots of all varieties. 

Tiger was a much more creative player than Nicklaus, and had possibly the best short game of all time.  Both players almost always avoided big numbers in their prime by never taking unnecessary chances.  They were both very smart golfers.  Both were exceptional putters, Tiger's numbers are better throughout his career but their clutch putting was a coin flip.

Both were considerably better players in their prime than Palmer.  Palmer was a very good player but he was no Jack or Tiger.

Chalky White

May 29th, 2017 at 1:40 PM ^

Shambles is a stretch. As far as I know, he isn't broke. I thought his fall was limited to having no golf game and way too much sex while married.

 

Why is someone who is that rich driving himself anywhere? I would have a guy sleeping in my garage 24 hrs/day just because I could afford it.

Nobody Likes a…

May 29th, 2017 at 3:14 PM ^

I have never understood why anyone with that kind of money ever drives themselves. I get driving for the pleasure of it but 95% of the time driving is an inconvenience at best and a liability at worst. We’ve already established that he has some guys in his circle that will take a secret to the grave, he can’t chip those guys off some green to be 24/7 drivers, no questions asked?

Mongo

May 29th, 2017 at 7:00 PM ^

good thing that Nike logo doesn't show in his mugshot. Unfortunate things happen after last call, just can't be giving the man his keys - that bartender should be feeling like a total shmuck today.

DisGoBlue24

May 29th, 2017 at 1:02 PM ^

Just makes me sad, as many of my closest friends have had this same issue, and all good people making a bad choice. Wish him nothing but the best.

Sopwith

May 29th, 2017 at 1:21 PM ^

he was the most dominant athlete I've ever seen with the possible exception of young Mike Tyson. Too bad we didn't get to see what the rest of his career might have been minus the bad back and personal chaos. To be honest, I hardly ever watched golf before his rise, and haven't watch much since his fall.