Tiger, Tiger by James Patterson
Review by Neil E. Wolkodoff
If you want to swing like arguably the greatest golfer of all time, there is a better book for you. Professional golfers, and the great ones, are studies in individual persona, and Tiger Woods is at the top of the heap. As evidenced by this book, the personality and drive shaped an incredible golf game.
In this view from birth to the current, Patterson links historical stories and situations in a chronology that gives insight into why Woods was unique before he knew he was special. Suppose you wondered whether his father, Earl, was the nuclear helicopter golf parent. In that case, the book provides plenty of storied interactions between Tiger and Earl to help you settle the question. The takeaway is that Tiger wanted to play golf and be great early on, and Earl just provided structure and guidance. Interesting that in the Wood’s household golf was always balanced with school and life. And yes, there was likely some Buddhist carryover from his mother into his practice and performance psyche.
The book delved into a host of people who helped Tiger along the way and had their own observations of what he might be like as an adult. Many said he was way beyond his age; as one golf pro said, he was a tour pro in a little boy’s body. As the book chronicles his physical and mental development to complement the drive and swing, it is apparent the cat was eventually going to growl out of the bag.
A great read to understand Tiger Woods and his remarkable journey of golf domination from the personal side.
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Neil E. Wolkodoff, PhD, is from Denver, Colorado and helps you get the destination information to make your trip a great experience, and moreover, a great memory. A member of the International Travel Writers Alliance, the Photographic Society of America, and the Golf Writers Association of America, he is also the past director of the Rocky Mountain Golf Media Association.
His articles investigate exotic and not so exotic destinations to see how history, golf, culture, accommodations, stretching personal boundaries, culinary twists and local geography mix in different locales. With his outlets, he is now on open assignment.
Wolkodoff has penned articles for Colorado Avid Golfer, Luxury Latin America, Golf Digest, Everett Potter’s Travel Report, Luxury Travel Magazine, Examiner, Travel World Magazine, Visit Denver, Cigar Snob Magazine, Golf.com, a Luxury Travel Blog, My Itchy Travel Feet and Golf Magazine. In his travels, he has golfed with royalty, tour professionals, the local duffer, and the occasional goat.
