Values and Golf
I was just reading this piece on the Golf Channel site on how Tom Watson expressed his concern about how Tiger’s off-the-course behavior is affecting the game:
“It’s bad for our game,” Watson said of the Woods’ sex scandal in an interview with KSHB-TV, a Kansas City NBC affiliate. “It’s something he needs to get control of and a handle on and make some amends and show some humility to the public when he comes back.”
Watson said some of Woods’ questionable behavior on the course can’t be ignored, either.
“His swearing and his club throwing, that should end,” Watson said. “That’s not part of what we want to project as far as the professional golf tour is concerned.”
I love listening to guys like Trevino, Watson, Nicklaus, Palmer, Player and others of this generation talk about values and golf – maybe because they remind me of my father. They tend to be very black and white, resolute and, by golly, KNOW the difference between right and wrong.
And, I’m not saying they’re perfect at all, but as far as I can see, have practiced living these values in a commendable way.
After all, they are keepers of the golf’s values and traditions and they are serious and steadfast about defending these values. I find it very refreshing. I wish there were more players who were steeped in values that are not only good for the game but good for families and good for society.
Values like honesty, integrity, responsibility, and professionalism. What did we do, forget about these? Maybe – but I know one thing – if you don’t practice them, you won’t live them either. Guys like Watson live these principles because they’re bigger than themselves – they are guideposts on how to live a principle-centered life
So much of this seems lost nowadays. It’s just a different culture. There are a lot more single parents today and often, can’t (or won’t) spend the time instilling these values.
And Tiger had a father who came from the military and had good values – although there is questionable information on how he conducted his relationships.
So what happened? Tiger made some poor decisions in moments he could have practiced integrity and doing the right thing – for his reputation and his family. He had that choice.
You might say “Who cares what Nicklaus or Watson or Trevino or Palmer have to say about the modern game” well, I would listen to these guys over *most* any of today’s modern players, why? because they know what they’re talking about.
Related posts:
- Conflicted Values and Steroids
- Golf Swings: Tiger vs. Tom
- Tiger – Forgive or Condemn?
- Professional Golf in 2010
- President’s Cup Needs Better Production Values
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I believe that everyone is human and we all make mistakes. That’s why I tend to admire what they do on the course and leave it at that. Until I actually meet a person I can only make assessments about them on how they are portrayed on TV and that is incomplete.
I am a huge Tiger fan, but only for his play on the course. I agree with Watson in that Tiger and other players should watch how they conduct themselves in public. They are in the eye of the media at all times.
We have to remember that these golfers have problems just like everyone else. It just so happens that they can hit a little white ball with amazing accuracy. This doesn’t make them perfect or gods as some make them out to be.
I say find your role models in your parents and the people close to you. Like you said, unfortunately there are a lot of broken households and kids sometimes find there heroes in the popular celebrities of the time.