Tiger Virtues

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0762423382 ISBN 13: 9780762423385

Publisher: Running Press, 2005

Tiger Woods is the world's greatest golfer, and possibly its most recognized sportsman. In Tiger Virtues, author Alex Tresniowski defines the 18 elements drawn from Buddhist principles that constitute Woods' winning approach to golf, and reveals how his unprecedented mastery of the game is a metaphor for life. Preparation, positive thought, stillness, intuition, patience, and other strategies worth adopting on a larger scale are explored in Woods' attitude toward golf. His application of Buddhist principles has been well-documented, and he is known for his relentless commitment, fierce competitiveness, and uncanny ability to perform at his best under pressure. In fact, he has noted that Golf has been good to me, but the lessons I've learned transcended the game.” The text is supported by original interviews with more than 40 current golf pros and analysts, and most importantly, by the cooperation of Tiger's strongest influence, his father and manager, Earl Woods. Tiger Virtues works as both a golf coach and a life coach. It outlines each virtue, from Sureness to Adaptability, that Woods embodies in his approach to golf, and seamlessly applies them to real life.

About the Author:

Alex Tresniowski, is senior sportswriter for People magazine.

From Publishers Weekly:

For Tresniowski, 29-year-old superathlete Tiger Woods embodies a set of virtues-18, to be exact-that have helped him win on the golf course and that can be applied to anyone's life, on and off the green. The People magazine sportswriter admits he has not spoken to Woods about these virtues and can't say Woods necessarily believes in them or endorses them. Yet that doesn't stop Tresniowski from offering a crash course in Buddhism lite, anchored by anecdotes from Woods's playing career. In falsely erudite prose, Tresniowski explains the virtues: wakefulness, humility, preparation, positive thinking, stillness, fearlessness, "happy warrior," intuition, diligence, integrity, no expectations, yielding spirit, sureness, vision, adaptability, patience, balance and exuberance. Although these virtues are certainly commendable, Tresniowski's tone is off-putting. It feels preachy, especially in phrases like, "Let us look back, then, on what will likely be the first third of Tiger's historic career"; "Do we not envy his passion, his purpose, his pride?"; and "And so, as the sun sets on our lovely round, we must make our leave of him and set off on our own." One wonders what the Tiger himself would make of such nonsense.