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Started By
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it’s crazy how short golfers primes are compared to their career length
Posted on 3/13/24 at 9:13 am
Posted on 3/13/24 at 9:13 am
TLDR: Pro golfers peaks are shorter than you think
We think of pro golfers as playing forever, and while that’s true for their careers, their peaks are actually relatively short by comparison.
I started looking into this with the thought that Tigers peak was very short for an all-time great golfer, then when I started researching I realized that just isn’t true. Here are some examples
Arnold Palmer: played pro golf from 1954-2001 but won ALL of his majors between 1958-1970
Jack Nicklaus: played pro golf from 1961-2005. He probably had the longest peak, winning all his majors but the notable one in ‘86 between 1963-1980
Ben Hogan: played pro golf from 1930-1971 but won ALL his majors from 1946-1953
Tiger Woods: turned pro in 1996, still playing but won all his majors besides the 2019 Masters between 1997-2008
Those are some of the GOATS, if you go look at the more standard major winners, their career peaks are even shorter. It’s interesting in a game that you can play at a high level for so long, shows how hard of a sport it really is to dominate.
It also puts into perspective, I felt robbed of some of the greatness of Tiger Woods because of all of his personal issues. In reality his peak falls in line with most of the greats as far as length.
We think of pro golfers as playing forever, and while that’s true for their careers, their peaks are actually relatively short by comparison.
I started looking into this with the thought that Tigers peak was very short for an all-time great golfer, then when I started researching I realized that just isn’t true. Here are some examples
Arnold Palmer: played pro golf from 1954-2001 but won ALL of his majors between 1958-1970
Jack Nicklaus: played pro golf from 1961-2005. He probably had the longest peak, winning all his majors but the notable one in ‘86 between 1963-1980
Ben Hogan: played pro golf from 1930-1971 but won ALL his majors from 1946-1953
Tiger Woods: turned pro in 1996, still playing but won all his majors besides the 2019 Masters between 1997-2008
Those are some of the GOATS, if you go look at the more standard major winners, their career peaks are even shorter. It’s interesting in a game that you can play at a high level for so long, shows how hard of a sport it really is to dominate.
It also puts into perspective, I felt robbed of some of the greatness of Tiger Woods because of all of his personal issues. In reality his peak falls in line with most of the greats as far as length.
This post was edited on 3/13/24 at 9:14 am
15
Posted on 3/13/24 at 9:15 am to Tiger1242
quote:
It also puts into perspective, I felt robbed of some of the greatness of Tiger Woods because of all of his personal issues. In reality his peak falls in line with most of the greats as far as length
We were robbed. He wouldve broke the record without the injuries. I blame them more than the personal issues.
But your post does make me realize we may overestimate how much longer he could've kept it going, although that last masters win shows maybe he could've.
This post was edited on 3/13/24 at 9:18 am
Posted on 3/13/24 at 9:16 am to Tiger1242
Well, it does make sense, you probably have a peak between 25-35 unless of course you are Jack the GOAT.
Posted on 3/13/24 at 9:23 am to Tiger1242
I truly think if you take out the personal issues, Tiger probably wins a major or 2 in the 2010-2013 range.
Tiger was no longer looked at as invincible with the personal issues along with his injuries.
But the injuries are no doubt what most killed his chances at catching Jack.
Tiger was no longer looked at as invincible with the personal issues along with his injuries.
But the injuries are no doubt what most killed his chances at catching Jack.
Posted on 3/13/24 at 9:26 am to Tiger1242
Those are pretty long primes.
Tiger easily would have gone strong for another 10 years if he hadn't destroyed his life and ruined his back with SEAL training.
Tiger easily would have gone strong for another 10 years if he hadn't destroyed his life and ruined his back with SEAL training.
Posted on 3/13/24 at 9:48 am to Tiger1242
Flat Bellies have an advantage 
Posted on 3/13/24 at 10:00 am to Tiger1242
Are you assuming their career length is the same as the amount of time they would've otherwise qualified to play on the Tour (top 70 player)? Players can achieve lifetime exemption to non-invitation events if they have so many years on Tour and so many wins, and lifetime or up to a certain age exemption for certain invitationals and majors.
So the championship/total years ratio may be artificially lower. Do championships years to years as a top 70 player.
So the championship/total years ratio may be artificially lower. Do championships years to years as a top 70 player.
Posted on 3/13/24 at 10:15 am to Tiger1242
Phil isn’t recognized enough for how good of a career he has had. DJ needs 21 wins and Rory needs 22 wins to tie PhIl for career wins. Don’t see that happening.
Posted on 3/13/24 at 10:36 am to Tiger1242
For the golf experts, what effect if any did Tiger deciding to remake his swing during the peak of his dominance (maybe 2004, but that could be wrong) have on the total majors he won?
Posted on 3/13/24 at 11:14 am to Tiger1242
This is why Rory's window is shut.
Posted on 3/13/24 at 12:02 pm to Tiger1242
My personal prime was a holiday long weekend about 10 years ago.
Posted on 3/13/24 at 1:01 pm to Tiger1242
what you mean to say is that’s it’s crazy how long golfers can play and how long after their prime they can play
13 years
18 years
11 years shortened by injuries
quote:
1958-1970
13 years
quote:
1963-1980
18 years
quote:
1997-2008
11 years shortened by injuries
Posted on 3/13/24 at 1:08 pm to Tiger1242
Pro golf has gotten a lot more competitive in the last decade too.
You could argue guys like Rory, Spieth, & Koepka are all still in their primes, but it’s harder to win a major.
Other guys are just getting started:
Scheffler
Cam Smith
Rahm
Bryson
Niemann
You could argue guys like Rory, Spieth, & Koepka are all still in their primes, but it’s harder to win a major.
Other guys are just getting started:
Scheffler
Cam Smith
Rahm
Bryson
Niemann
Posted on 3/13/24 at 2:25 pm to Tiger1242
You can make a lot of money on the tour just by being decent.
Posted on 3/13/24 at 4:30 pm to Tiger1242
quote:
In reality his peak falls in line with most of the greats as far as length.
Tiger spent 14 months ranked #1 in the world around 2013 which is five years after his peak as you described.
Won 8 of 33 events entered from 2012-2013. No majors wins but T11 or better in 4/8 with 8 made cuts. Not sure the other greats have a resurgence post peak like that.
He was also well younger than the other greats at the end of his peak.. there’s no doubt in my mind he’d have 20+ majors without the injuries.
This post was edited on 3/13/24 at 4:33 pm
Posted on 3/13/24 at 5:21 pm to Tiger1242
Y'all've touched on most of my main thoughts, especially about Tiger. But to the OP's thread title, I agree. And I think a big part that nobody seems to talk about seems to be nerves. It took me a while to figure out--and I still don't know exactly why--but guys in their 20s and early 30s are so much better putters because that's, apparently the peak age to be able to handle your nerves. There are exceptions, sure, but look at the all-time greats, and they're winning majors in their 20s and 30s because that's when they are most able to handle their nerves and putt the best of their careers.
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