Tiger

[Phenomanul]

Golf fails one requisite in that definition... stamina.

I just don't see the grueling endurance... where is it? Especially when it's the caddy doing all the heavy lifting...

Try playing 90+ minutes of soccer...
or 48+ minutes of basketball...
or running at full sprint and making a dive to catch a fly ball...
or scrambling around while taking punishing hits to make a 40-yd throw...
or volleyball
or boxing
or cycling
or swimming or diving for that matter.... or gymnastics.

Those are all sports that take their toll on the body.... requiring elements of agility, strength, finesse, endurance-stamina as well as skill. Shoot, even ultimate frisbee has more athletic requirements than golf.

The only physical strain golf produces results from improper technique (or if someone hits you with a ball, or the club )... but pro-golfers have their swings stuck on muscle memory. True, they require extensive and very specific flexibility in order to play... but that is a different premise altogether. The game of golf is a game of skill (a facet that encompasses concentration and perfected repeatability of motion) but it is not a game of athleticism...

Having said that though.... Tiger is the Man!!!

[TheSanityAnnex]

Golf fails one requisite in that definition... stamina.

I just don't see the grueling endurance... where is it? Especially when it's the caddy doing all the heavy lifting...

Try playing 90+ minutes of soccer...
or 48+ minutes of basketball...
or running at full sprint and making a dive to catch a fly ball...
or scrambling around while taking punishing hits to make a 40-yd throw...
or volleyball
or boxing
or cycling
or swimming or diving for that matter.... or gymnastics.

Those are all sports that take their toll on the body.... requiring elements of agility, strength, finesse, endurance-stamina as well as skill. Shoot, even ultimate frisbee has more athletic requirements than golf.

The only physical strain golf produces results from improper technique (or if someone hits you with a ball, or the club )... but pro-golfers have their swings stuck on muscle memory. True, they require extensive and very specific flexibility in order to play... but that is a different premise altogether. The game of golf is a game of skill (a facet that encompasses concentration and perfected repeatability of motion) but it is not a game of athleticism...

Having said that though.... Tiger is the Man!!!

I played 2 years of college golf. Try walking 36 holes (roughly 10 miles) carrying your own bag in 105 degree weather. Tell me that doesn't take stamina.

[ducks]

has anyone actually played golf without drinking beer when playing?

try walking one of the courses tiger plays most would die

[Phenomanul]

I played 2 years of college golf. Try walking 36 holes (roughly 10 miles) carrying your own bag in 105 degree weather. Tell me that doesn't take stamina.

When was the last time Tiger had to endure those troubles to earn 'the world's best athlete le'.

Again, he has a caddy.

I'm not dissing the game. I love playing golf.

[TheSanityAnnex]

When was the last time Tiger had to endure those troubles to earn 'the world's best athlete le'.

Again, he has a caddy.

I'm not dissing the game. I love playing golf.

Tiger could do it easily. Thats not even up for debate. Point being, golf at higher levels requires more athleticism and stamina.

You nor I have called him the world's best athlete. Do you at least agree his is a phenomenal athlete?

[Phenomanul]

Tiger could do it easily. Thats not even up for debate. Point being, golf at higher levels requires more athleticism and stamina.

You nor I have called him the world's best athlete. Do you at least agree his is a phenomenal athlete?

He is an athlete period. Phenomenal athlete would be someone like Lance Armstrong or Shawn Marion.

[romsho]

Golf is a sport. Tiger is an athlete. Best athlete ever? Hardly- and golf certainly is not the sport where the world's best athlete will ever be found at any point in time. I think it is safe to say, however, that Tiger is the most dominant athlete in any sport now and perhaps of all time. The level of success he has achieved against his fellow compe ion now and throughout his career is unprecedented. No one owns their respective sports the way Tiger owns golf.

[Phenomanul]

Golf is a sport. Tiger is an athlete. Best athlete ever? Hardly- and golf certainly is not the sport where the world's best athlete will ever be found at any point in time. I think it is safe to say, however, that Tiger is the most dominant athlete in any sport now and perhaps of all time. The level of success he has achieved against his fellow compe ion now and throughout his career is unprecedented. No one owns their respective sports the way Tiger owns golf.

This is a fairer assessment. Though I would probably add Lance Armstrong to that distinction.

[1Parker1]

He is an athlete period. Phenomenal athlete would be someone like Lance Armstrong or Shawn Marion.

Did he just put Shawn Marion in the same category as Lance Armstrong?? You seriously couldn't think of another athlete?

[Phenomanul]

Did he just put Shawn Marion in the same category as Lance Armstrong?? You seriously couldn't think of another athlete?

They don't call him 'The Matrix' for nothing you know.

He's not on the same dominating plane as Tiger or Lance (with reference to sports domination), but he is a super-athlete nonetheless.

[leemajors]

When was the last time Tiger had to endure those troubles to earn 'the world's best athlete le'.

Again, he has a caddy.

I'm not dissing the game. I love playing golf.

personally, i think they should take the PGA back to what it used to be. 18 on friday and saturday, 36 hole finale on sunday - all match play. hogan never played in it after a while because his leg couldn't hold up to that after his accident. he probably would have won more than the triple crown in '53 i think it was. one of the few times he went to the british open and took it easily. if that dude had never been hurt he would have put up some ridiculous career nums. perfect swing.

[2centsworth]

As soon as tiger does a 360 jam or runs the 100 in under 10 seconds I'll call him one of the greatest athletes. However, the guy is a freak of nature on the golf course.

[tlongII]

As soon as tiger does a 360 jam or runs the 100 in under 10 seconds I'll call him one of the greatest athletes. However, the guy is a freak of nature on the golf course.

Those guys that do 360 jams or run the 100 in under 10 seconds can't drive the golf ball 350 yards! Tiger is an unbelievable athlete! I think he's more dominant than Lance Armstrong. I have not heard of Lance winning any events besides the Tour de France.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Those guys that do 360 jams or run the 100 in under 10 seconds can't drive the golf ball 350 yards! Tiger is an unbelievable athlete! I think he's more dominant than Lance Armstrong. I have not heard of Lance winning any events besides the Tour de France.

thats because they don't have the technique, not because of athletism

[tlongII]

thats because they don't have the technique, not because of athletism

Running the 100 in under 10 seconds and doing 360 jams require technique as well as athleticism. Just like hitting a golf ball 350 yards down the middle of a fairway.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Running the 100 in under 10 seconds and doing 360 jams require technique as well as athleticism. Just like hitting a golf ball 350 yards down the middle of a fairway.

you're going to tell me it takes the same amount of athletism to hit a glof ball as does running the 100 in under 10 seconds??

[Phenomanul]

Those guys that do 360 jams or run the 100 in under 10 seconds can't drive the golf ball 350 yards! Tiger is an unbelievable athlete! I think he's more dominant than Lance Armstrong. I have not heard of Lance winning any events besides the Tour de France.

In the world of cylcling that is the 'big one'. --- The Championship.


BTW I can't drive a ball 250 yards consistently, much less 350.... but I know a few 12 year olds that can (250). Having said that, I don't believe any of them could play back-to-back soccer games in 90+ degree heat without collapsing - something I can do.

Nor are they more athletic simply because they can drive a ball further. Most of that is in the technique and in the perfected motion that allows them to hit the ball with the club's sweet-spot. I can do that on a fluke. You can't 'obtain' endurance on a fluke.

[tlongII]

you're going to tell me it takes the same amount of athletism to hit a glof ball as does running the 100 in under 10 seconds??

I'm going to tell you that Tiger has as much athleticism as anybody that runs the 100 in under 10 seconds. No question about it.

[tlongII]

In the world of cylcling that is the 'big one'. --- The Championship.


BTW I can't drive a ball 250 yards consistently, much less 350.... but I know a few 12 year olds that can (250). Having said that, I don't believe any of them could play back-to-back soccer games in 90+ degree heat without collapsing - something I can do.

Nor are they more athletic simply because they can drive a ball further. Most of that is in the technique and in the perfected motion that allows them to hit the ball with the club's sweet-spot. I can do that on a fluke. You can't 'obtain' endurance on a fluke.

The reason Tiger is so good when leading in the 4th round of Majors can be attributed to his supreme endurance. He just doesn't tire like most other golfers because of his superior conditioning. He is a great athlete.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

I'm going to tell you that Tiger has as much athleticism as anybody that runs the 100 in under 10 seconds. No question about it.

... we'll I guess we'll have to disagree on that one

[tlongII]

... we'll I guess we'll have to disagree on that one

I remember Earl Woods once said that Tiger could have been a great Track and Field athlete had he chose that to be his primary sport.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

I remember Earl Woods once said that Tiger could have been a great Track and Field athlete had he chose that to be his primary sport.

Tiger has the mind and work ethic to excel in many sports if he had chosen a different path.

Tiger is a work-out freak as well.

Also not only is it Tiger's endurance that helps him as a finisher, but he's pretty up there in clutchness, if not THE Most clutch. He's so far 100 percent while holding the lead going into the last round.

As a compe ive "athlete", he's the best no question. Greatest Athleticism, which is what you guys are arguing, is a whole other story. I bet the most athletic person is some lesser known. Go to the track stars if you want to argue that.

[2centsworth]

I'm going to tell you that Tiger has as much athleticism as anybody that runs the 100 in under 10 seconds. No question about it.

I guy like Herschal Walker could run, dunk, and hit a golf ball 350 with training.

[Billy Cobham]

Tiger with another display of why he is perhaps the most dominant athlete in any sport of our time.