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Scott's Golf Blog: February 2018

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Hey, Tiger is playing pretty good golf again!

Well, another year has past, so it must be time for another comment on the game of Tiger Woods! LOL Seriously though, my intention is to start posting more regularly again. I've hardly played any golf myself for the last six or seven years, but I am itching to get back to it this year. What better way to jump back in than to talk about the latest comeback of the greatest player of all time? Tiger showed significant progress this week after missing the cut at Riviera last week. The one aspect of his game that has a few analysts raving is his swing speed. Apparently, he is up around 125 mph with the big dog in his hand...that is quite astonishing for a 42 year old who doesn't make a living competing on the long drive circuit. I also heard the comment that for Saturday's round, Tiger was the leader in proximity to the hole by an astonishing 10 feet! On Sunday, Tiger looked like he was going to make a bit of a run, with a few birdies in the first eight holes, drawing within three of the lead. Alas, his game leveled off a bit, and Tiger finished at even par, eight behind the two leaders, Justin Thomas and Luke List. Tiger was happy with his play, and now all the golf writers and commentators have high hopes of a strong performance for Tiger at Augusta in April. What's my assessment? It's all about the driver. Augusta forces a player to drive the ball well, and to do that, it's necessary to curve it both ways. Tiger has not won at Augusta since 2005 because the driver hasn't allowed him to be in position to attack the pins in most years. Going at those greens from the wrong angles just makes the course play too hard. Only because of his intimate knowledge of every bounce on that course keeps him competitive. Where Tiger may actually have a better shot in a major this year is Shinnecock Hills, site of the U.S. Open. By U.S. Open standards, Shinnecock is a short course, playing to about 7,000 yards. As a result, Tiger won't need to hit too many drivers. Given that his iron game appears to be rounding into form, don't be surprised if Tiger makes a run there. A good indication of where his game and mind are will be at Bay Hill. He obviously loves the course, winning there 8 times, and most recently in 2013. That year, he hit few drivers, but putted his eyes out. If Tiger puts together another similar type performance on a track he enjoys, then I'll expect him to seriously contend at the U.S. Open, if not sooner at Augusta. By the way, I revived my old golf instruction website at Scott Cole Golf. The site will be focused on instruction, golf fitness and travel. Check it out soon!