Sports Then and Now

A few days ago, those who turned on ESPN watched as it became the all-Tiger-Woods network. The channel temporarily shelved shows like Around the Horn. In their place were images of a rental vehicle flipped over on its back and shattered glass strewn across a wooded clearing.

Tiger Woods was in that rented vehicle, driving down a California road, when he lost control and flew into the trees. It was a single-car accident. Early reports indicated that he would live, though reporters spoke in hushed tones about his suspected broken legs.

Many thought about the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash from last year, which claimed not only Bryant’s life but also that of his teenage daughter, Gianna. As it became clear that Woods would live, you could almost hear the sports world take a unified sigh of relief.   

As Woods recovers, now is as good of a time as any to think about what he means to golf and the sports world as a whole.

What Sports Mean

Getting away from Woods for a moment, we should go over what sports mean within our society. Think of this statistic: about 21.5 million children between age 6 and 17 years old play team sports.

Golf is not a team sport, but you get the idea. Sports are a widespread pastime, and with good reason. Kids that play them often do better in school, and they get fresh air and exercise. They are less likely to have obesity issues.

It’s not surprising at all, then, when kids idolize sports stars. They see individuals doing the same thing that they do, but at a higher level. They see adults playing a game and making millions of dollars.

The Masters holds a special place in the heart of many golf fans. As far as the four major championships go, the Augusta showpiece is the one with the most history, tradition, and memories, making it an event to look forward to for all sport enthusiasts each year.

This year, the Masters will look somewhat different, due to the fact that the tournament is being held in the autumn for the first time. This is because the coronavirus pandemic meant the original spring dates for the Augusta major could not be fulfilled. It will be an interesting spectacle, and already golf fans are eagerly examining the US Masters golf odds to try and pick their winners.

To celebrate the return of the Masters after such a long wait, we’ve compiled a few of the competition’s most magical memories from the last ten years.

2010: Phil Mickelson’s third title

Phil Mickelson, even now at the age of 50, is one of the biggest names in golf, and his rivalry with Tiger Woods over the years kept millions of sports fans on the edge of their seats. In 2010, Mickelson made it a hat-trick of Masters titles, by holding off the challenges of Lee Westwood and Anthony Kim to shoot a bogey-free final round and secure a memorable third win at Augusta.

2013: Adam Scott becomes Australia’s first champion

Three years later, there were celebrations Down Under as Adam Scott became the first Australian to win the Masters. He had to do it the hard way, winning a nail-biting play-off against Argentina’s Ángel Cabrera after both men finished nine-under par. But it was Scott who held his nerve in the end, birdieing the second play-off hole to claim an emotional victory.

Injuries are almost inevitable in professional sports. However, some of these injuries can be harder to recover from than others. Several athletes have made some fascinating comebacks after pushing through some difficult injuries.

Adrian Peterson

This NFL superstar tore the MCL and ACL in his knee around 2011. As a running back, such injuries could prove catastrophic to Peterson’s career. It wouldn’t be out of the question for fans to wonder if he would ever take to the field again. Fortunately, Peterson didn’t just play the game again. He was also part of the lineup for the Vikings less than a year after suffering what could have been a career-ending problem. This short recovery period comes combined with some great plays from Peterson.

John Orozco

Most people hold Olympic contestants to the highest standard in sports. It is fair to say that gymnast John Orozco is tough and dedicated. However, few fans may know just how driven this athlete is on the mat. Orozco tore his ACL once and his Achilles twice in the span of just five years. Either one of these incidents could have spelled the end for him. However, Orozco won the championship title for the US the same year he tore his ACL.

The US Open is just eight weeks away and golfing fanatics will be eagerly anticipating the second major of the year, which promises to be as thrilling as ever. Brooks Koepka is looking to add a third consecutive victory at Pebble Beach; something which hasn’t been achieved since Willie Anderson in 1905.

The American is priced at 18/1 to make it a hat-trick of victories at the golf US Open 2019, and those closely attached to the West Palm Beach native will be watching with keen interest to see if he can pull it off. The rest of the expectant crowd will be watching with intent but for those travelling from afar, where’s the best places to stay near Pebble Beach?

 Monterey Marriott

The Monterey Marriot has been a go-to stop for golfing fans for years now and it’s easy to see why. Located just 5.7 miles from Pebble Beach, the Marriot is perfectly placed for fans travelling to the US Open and offers a variety of different rooms and services. Prices do increase around the time of the Open, but you can expect to pay between £180 and £300 per night, and this includes everything you’d come to expect: free WiFi, room service, restaurant/bar and use of the swimming pool.

Tiger Woods is regarded as one of the best golfers in the history of the sport, tracing all the way back to its Scottish ancestry. Woods, now 42, has had a glittering golfing career, despite his tarred reputation due to his less-than-inspiring personal life. However, the question of can Tiger Woods’ golf history help to predict his success in 2018 while on his PGA Tour this year is on every avid golf fans’ lips – and is a debate that has been weighed into by commentators and professionals alike.

Hank Haney, Woods’ golf coach from 2004 to 2010 told The Man Out Front he “think[s] he’s going to win another major”. Despite his confidence in Woods’ ability to win another major, Haney is less certain on a Woods victory at a Masters this year. But does Woods’ history of winning contradict his former coach? Let’s take a look, what exactly is Woods polishing his signature golf clubs for this year.

1997, Atlantic City

Woods devoted himself to professionally playing golf in 1996, just a year before his swooping triumph in Augusta. This victory was significant for two large reasons: Woods was the first black player to win the tournament and also the youngest, at the tender age of 21.

Atlantic City for Woods put his ‘X’ on the map and showed him marking himself out to be one of the greatest players of all time. At such a young age, it shows Woods’ determination and skill more than anything else, meaning a victory in 2018 is almost just as possible now as it was back then. Read the rest of this entry →

Back injuries have derailed the once great career of Tiger Woods.

Out of all the sports known to man, golf is the least aggressive and the least violent. Yet, every year professional golfers suffer serious injuries, some that threaten to remove them from the game forever. In 2014, Tiger Woods, formerly the world’s top golfer, had surgery to repair a pinched nerve in his back. In 2015, he underwent a second microdiscectomy surgery with a follow-up procedure on his back. And this year, he had fusion surgery on his back as well.

After these, and other procedures, the golfer told reporters that he is unsure if he will ever play competitive golf again.

Back Pain: The Cost of Golf

According to Spine-Health, golfers can be afflicted by three different forms of back injury. First is muscles strains which “typically occur with rough or forceful golf swings or a sudden shift during the downswing.” Second, is muscle and tendon attachment which “generally occur due to excessive use, accidents, or swing abnormalities while playing golf.” Third, is disc injuries which also “occur from swinging abnormalities.” Additionally, low back pain and back injuries occur frequently because of repetitive bending over to pick up golf balls and line up shots.

Getting back injuries treated can be an extremely costly procedure. Spinal fusion surgery, such as what Tiger Woods had to undergo, can cost from $100,000 to $115,000. While Woods, who has 79 PGA Tour wins and has been one of the highest-paid athletes in the world for years, can easily handle such a cost, the everyday golf enthusiast or the occasional leisure golfer who can’t hire a personal caddy (or who doesn’t have an enthusiastic grandchild who loves chasing balls) won’t be able to. So what can be done?

Golf Ball Retrievers Help Eliminate Back Pain

Well, there is a tool that eliminates the constant need to bend over while playing — the golf ball retriever. The best golf ball retrievers allow you to only have to exert your arm and your hand to pick up golf balls — not your back. They typically run in the $15 range and can easily be ordered online or at many golf shops. Golf ball retrievers are usually extendable — they can extend from six feet to up to fifteen feet, ensuring that a stray golf ball is never outside your reach. They are conveniently foldable and easy to carry. Getting golf balls out of water holes or sand traps is a lot easier with a retriever. Read the rest of this entry →