The Tiger
 

http://www.nike.com/nikegolf/swingpo...gportrait_tout

Is this Tiger at his best or was it the swing from the 2000 U.S. Open. It's an argument that no one could win. He's one of the greatest athletes that's ever played. But, Homer said that even the best are constantly changing their swings.

My point is to be careful with pictures of great golfers. When was the picture taken? What was the player trying to accomplish or change? I could take a picture of Tiger hitting a ball from under a bush. If that was the only picture that you ever saw of Tiger and you modeled you swing after that picture, you might not like the end result.

Homer gave us all the options and all of the consequences. Photos in magazines or videos might not.

Are you implying that it is Tiger's "athleticism" despite his mechanics that make him a great golfer. I would argue that point even with my limited knowledge of TGM.

Tiger's mechanics from under a bush are probably better than 95% of those who hold a club in their hand.

What was Homer's context when he said "even the best are constantly changing their swing." I don't think anyone has or will ever think they have a perfect golf swing whether a follower of TGM or not. Are you satified with your present mechanics?

After learning TGM and understanding it a step further.

I totally agree. Great post Yodaluke

No.1 Though the swing will generally look the same from swing to swing. The Angles the swing taken at, The Depth of field creates another illusion.

No.2 You can't get into the head of the player, You won't get exactly why he did this and his intend. Which I feel is more important.

No.3 Visual illusion of player vs Photo vs Mirror are all Optical illusions.

Its like someone who try to copy Hogan swing from a photo of the top of the swing and his elbow position which look like on the side of the hip . Then created/extrapolate a swing which does not resemble Hogan but called it the same fundamentals. I had been a fool to believe that.

http://www.pgatour.com/story/9639658

This about sums it up for me.

the point
 

Never, will I be satisfied. Golf is a journey; not a destination. I guess that's exactly the reason that I posted this link, in addition to it being awesome footage. You can use it beneficially to show many things.

I simply hope that one video or one picture will not be considered the way, when Tiger has won with many ways.

It is amazing how certain teachers 'sway' their feelings on his stroke pattern based on his results. He wins one week - they think that his stroke is great, the next couple of weeks go by - he needs to fix x,y,z...

A golf stroke for most is a living entity continously evolving.

I mean the guy is just amazingly talented, theres just absolutely no doubt about it. I just like to watch him play.... His stroke pattern is going to be the subject of analysis for many a generation - good or bad - because he is one of the greats.

Tiger wins because he "thinks" he is the best and he believes that no one can beat him even on a bad swing day. He loves to compete and kick butt. To a large extent he must also think he deserves to win for all the work and effort he puts into his game. His will and determination to win intimidates others. Now that he is learning that course management is also a critical component to consistently winning, as Hogan did and as Nicklaus practiced, the best is yet to come as his caddy recently suggested. For Hogan and Nicklaus every shot had a specific purpose.
Tiger's swing motion may be critqued by many but it is only one of his components to a winning formula. I would imagine that no one should ever try to copy someone else's swing...it may not be a good fit...that is where a talented instructor (hopefully TGM) needs to step in and help find the pattern and components that best fit.

Changes, changes.....
 

I would say that both of you, yodaluke and hg, has a point. Tiger IS a great athlete and he HAS the will and determination.
I belive that Tiger will do what ever it takes to reach his golfing goals. Even if it means changing his now succesful swing to something else in the future. And he will overcome the problems when changing. Why? Because he is a great ATHLETE and has the WILL and DETERMINATION.

Now Yodasluke,
Could you, using TGM terms, describe his currently swing (pattern)?

need some sleep
 

My first lesson was at 9am and I finished today at 7pm. I'm not complaining, but I do need some time to do what you've asked. I need to give my brain a little rest, but I'll try to get to it as soon as I can.
I've got another full day tomorrow, so I need some :sleepy: .

And the track record.
 

What amazes me is that he is up against some pretty stiff competition. Up against a ton of will, and a ton of determination. And that he's done it already for some 22 years.

An amazing track record ever since he entered the Junior World Golf Championships "age 9-10 class" as an 8-year old. And won.

He's been winning ever since.

Staggering.

I certainly agree that photos and video can mislead. Always best to get out and see the top players in person to really get a feel for what they are doing.

As for now vs 2000 - 2000 - because that motion was IMO more on 'auto', vs now where Tiger is fighting his tempo as a 'swinger' and his clubface control is in his right hand thanks to a left hand grip that doesn't match the motion he is trying to make.

That said, his current motion is 'almost' better than 2000, and could be with a few minor adjustments. Much better plane now, but his left hand grip is the reason he is fighting the new swing, and his tempo/balance issues have less margin for error now than in 2000, when he was more of a hitter.

There is a different left hand grip for swingers vs. hitters? What is Tiger's current left hand grip and what should it be?

IMO - his left hand (mainly thumb position) is a 'bit' on the weak side, which along with getting off tempo, tends to contribute to the 'wide right' shot he hits at times. When his tempo is on, CF takes care of squaring up. Not a big change, but one that would allow both the left and right wedges to be in place without having to 'time' or 'do' something.

The grip is the foundation of a pattern. Ideally 10-2-B is the grip for both hitter and swinger, but there are advantages to the variations depending on the rest of the pattern.

Tiger's Pattern in TGM Terms
 

We haven't heard back on this one...describing Tiger's pattern.

Edz mentioned the grip. Learning the proper RFT, tracing the straight baseline plane line and stationary head Tiger would have a TGM non compensating swing. He is almost there now.