Tiger Woods Dominates Golf

Posted by Steven M. Cohen Feb 25, 2008

Tiger Woods has picked up in 2008 where he left off in 2007 – as the best golfer in the world, by far. He showed his dominance again this week, winning the Accenture Match Play Championship, for his fourth straight PGA Tour win, and his sixth win in his last seven tournaments worldwide. Aside from his monster talent, Woods’ dedication to fitness and flexibility that has kept him on top of the golf world, even after two decades of repetitive wear and tear on his body.

Although Woods usually declines to discuss the details of his fitness regime in the media, he clearly incorporates both strength training (look at him in those form fitting shirts he wears!), and stretching/flexibility work. As I’ve emphasized in this space, strength and flexibility are both necessary to maintain peak athletic performance, and to avoid injury. Although Woods suffered from a knee injury earlier in his career he has remained remarkably healthy. This is in stark contrast to many other professional golfers who look (how can I say this diplomatically?) like pro golfers - and not in a good way. Many a talented member of the PGA Tour has underachieved in his career secondary to injury (see Fred Couples, David Duval, et. al.). An overall commitment to fitness is the best way to avoid this fate.