PGA Golf: Tiger Woods Makes The Right Decision

Aug 8, 2014; Louisville, KY, USA; PGA golfer Tiger Woods tees off on the 2nd hole during the second round of the 2014 PGA Championship golf tournament at Valhalla Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier Saturday, it was announced that Tiger Woods announced that Chris Como will fill the role as his new swing coach. The hiring comes after Woods fired previous swing coach Sean Foley Aug. 25.

“I was introduced to Chris this summer by Notah (Begay), and subsequently we had several good conversations about the golf swing,” Woods said in a statement. “I’ve worked with him about a month since I started practicing. Chris will consult and work with me during the year.”

Woods is working towards returning from injury and has targeted the Hero World Challenge [Dec. 3-7] as his return date which would be his first time playing a PGA Tour event since missing the cut at the PGA Championship.

This announcement came as a surprise after remarks at the Hero World Challenge Media Day Sept. 15 stating that there was no timetable in finding a coach and that he was focused on getting better physically. He also addressed his knowledge in comparison to what a coach would provide.

“I would have to say on the technical side, I probably don’t know as much as some of them, but from a feel standpoint, which is something that I think is innate, because of what we’re able to do at such an elite level, yeah, I think I know a lot more than they do because they’ve never played down the stretch on the back nine of a major championship, never won majors, never felt that, what do the hands feel, what does the body feel, the things that we as players at this level who have won enough times understand, what it feels like,” said Woods.

“I think that’s something‑‑ you have to understand your practice sessions, you’ve got to be able to understand your practice sessions, those practice sessions, will they work on the back nine on a Sunday of a major, either yes or no, and I think that’s one thing I’ve always tried to tell all my coaches, will it work or not work, and if it’s not going to work, then we’re not going down that road. I’m in no hurry to look for one right now.”

As for Como himself he was referred to in a golf publication as one of the “top 40 under 40” recognizing his instruction at such a young age. Golf Digest, a well-known golfing publication, referred to Como as one of the best instructors from fairway to green.

For me this hiring was a necessity for Woods. Woods has had his share of high-profile coaches that were known to the public before joining forces with the former top-ranked golfer. Now this is a different kind of hire that I like. I only hope Como is not overwhelmed by the attention he will now get.

Woods often times has used his coaches as a crutch or a way to deflect blame, as detailed by former swing coach Hank Haney in The Big Miss: My Years Coaching Tiger Woods. Woods does have a lot of knowledge about the swing, but he cannot go at it alone. Between his own thoughts and those provided by Butch Harmon, Haney and Foley, this provides a fresh start and clean slate Woods sorely needed.

Unfortunately for Como, because of Woods’ past success, he will be compared to his predecessors for tournament wins and more importantly major championships. Many still think Woods never should have left Harmon.

This also shows that Woods is serious about competing and knows that much will be expected of him with this return. Woods has had serious injuries in the past and that alone is enough of a burden. Now some of the pressure is not his and it will make things easier for him in the long run.