Tiger Woods - Best Athlete in the World?

[tomalak301]

Well, now we have a sports forum, lets talk Tiger. I'm not sure how many of you watch Golf, but I got into it because of Tiger and it's fun watching him dominate every aspect of that sport whenever he plays. So far, he's perfect this year and he has a chance of being even better than he was in 2002. Based on what I've seen so far, I don't think there is anyway to beat him, unless you steal his bag or something. My question is based on what he's doing, the stamina it takes to play Golf, is he the best athlete in the world. I know now he is the Michael Jordan of the sports world today. It's really fun to watch and enjoy greatness.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Are golf players athletes? I think that's the question. If they are, he easily could be the greatest, but, if they're not, well, the answer is obvious.

 

[DarkHelmet]

He is certainly the best golfer in the world, most likely ever.

 

[nevermore]

He's the best at making a tiny ball go into a hole while strolling leisurely through a park, yes. I suspect there are far better athletes in the world though.

 

[Winterwind]

Are golf players athletes? I think that's the question. If they are, he easily could be the greatest, but, if they're not, well, the answer is obvious.

I've always wondered the same. If golf players are indeed athletes do we also include those who bowl and play darts?

 

[Outpost4]

Looking at his body, he has obviously worked out a lot since he burst onto the scene. He is in terrific shape.

He has focus, drive, strength, agility, grace, finesse and endurance. I don't know a world class athlete that doesn't have all of those.

He's obviously an athlete. We're not talking about a chess champion here.

 

[Daedalus12]

Are golf players athletes? I think that's the question. If they are, he easily could be the greatest, but, if they're not, well, the answer is obvious.

Tiger is in very good physical condition however generally speaking the game of golf is still infested with a lot of overweight players who would gasp hard for breath with even a slight bit of aerobic activity.

However that being said don't misinterpret my post as a slight against golf or even a thinly veiled suggestion that golf is an easy game. Chess and Go are both very difficult games to master still that doesn't mean the Kasparovs of this world are athletes.

 

[Mallory]

He's the best at making a tiny ball go into a hole while strolling leisurely through a park, yes. I suspect there are far better athletes in the world though.

That's pretty much the way I feel about it as well.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

Are golf players athletes? I think that's the question. If they are, he easily could be the greatest, but, if they're not, well, the answer is obvious.

I've always wondered the same. If golf players are indeed athletes do we also include those who bowl and play darts?

With respect to being an athlete, Tiger Woods is no Michael Johnson or even Michael Schumacher. On the other hand, I would hesitate to compare the likes of Andy Fordham with the Tiger...

I would suggest, however, that Tiger is one of the best sportsmen out there. More so than the likes of Schumacher.

 

[Garak]

He's the best at making a tiny ball go into a hole while strolling leisurely through a park, yes.

That's a pretty superficial view of golf.

I suspect there are far better athletes in the world though.

That however is correct.

 

[Outpost4]

What we need to do is resurrect Battle Of The Network Stars and other fake athletic TV events that were popular in the late '70s/early '80s. Then we could have an event with Tiger Woods vs. Pete Sampras vs. Tom Brady vs. Lance Armstrong vs. Michael Owen.

 

[tomalak301]

I think there are some pretty simplistic views of golf here. It takes a lot to swing a ball 400 yards, keep standing for a good 3 hours, be patient waiting for everyone in front of you and doing that for 4 or 5 days each week competing against hundreds of other players. The dominance Tiger shows while doing that (And completely destroying the field) is a sign of a true athlete IMO. It's so fun watching him play. I got into golf because of him.

 

[Pegaritaville]

Are golf players athletes? I think that's the question. If they are, he easily could be the greatest, but, if they're not, well, the answer is obvious.

That fact that they're concerned about steroid use should tell you that they're athletes. It may look easy, but in order to be a top golfer, you need a lot of natural athletic ability, conditioning and practice.

That said, I wouldn't say Tiger is the best athlete in the world. Right now, he's easily the best in his field, but golf is too much of a specialized talent to make that kind of generalized statement. I may be a bit old school, but I think the title of best athlete should go to the decathlon champ.

 

[RAMA]

In terms of an "athlete" dominating their own sport with great skill, Tiger Woods might be at the top, but in terms of pure physical ability?? No. Track and field athletes are the best.

The top athletes of the last 15 years?

Lance Armstrong
Asafa Powell
Michael Jordan
Maurice Green
Michael Johnson
Jason Sehorn
Marius Pudzianowski
Dan Obrien
Michael Vick
Kobe Bryant





RAMA

 

[Kolrad]

Tiger Woods is the best golfer in the world, but he is not the best athlete because he is a golfer.

That is not to say that golfers are not athletes-- they are-- but golf is not the greatest proof of athleticism in the world. I would tend to agree with RAMA that the greatest athlete in the world is probably someone who competes in track and field.

Edited to add: I should probably also admit that Tiger Woods is a much, much better athlete than I am!

 

[Garak]

In terms of an "athlete" dominating their own sport with great skill, Tiger Woods might be at the top, but in terms of pure physical ability?? No. Track and field athletes are the best.

The top athletes of the last 15 years?

Lance Armstrong
Asafa Powell
Michael Jordan
Maurice Green
Michael Johnson
Jason Sehorn
Marius Pudzianowski
Dan Obrien
Michael Vick
Kobe Bryant





RAMA

Alexander Ovechkin
Sidney Crosby
Jarome Iginla

 

[gblews]

You could make a solid argument for "winningest" athlete in the world, but "best"...I think not. Hitting a baseball is about the closest comparison "move" from a mechanical standpoint, but no one else is in control of the golf ball. It just lies there waiting to be hit.

So golf requires a certain amount of strength, flexibility, and hand/eye coordination, but nothing close to the amounts required in other sports.