OK, here's the theory: bonding with family can really mess up a guy's golf game. Some are surmising it wasn't a rusty swing, or a residual knee twinge that resulted in Tiger's disappointing performance at Accenture Match Play, but rather his "over-investment" in marriage and fatherhood... and a resulting testosterone plunge.
The theory's part of the "Evolutionary Perspective", and there's actual science to back it up. By science I mean an experiment conducted by medical anthropologist Peter Gray and a team from the Department of Anthropology at Harvard University. The study involved Boston men their saliva.
It turns out the guys who were really into their families...the ones who were spouse-centered and passionate about parenting... had significantly lower levels of salivary testosterone. ~And here's the thing: lower testosterone levels make a guy mellow. Mellow as in: less aggressive, less intense and less competitive. Furthermore, a new baby takes the T down as low as it goes. So little Charlie Axel theoretically sealed Tiger's fairway fate at Match Play a couple of days ago.
Stellar science writer Jena Pincott, author of the provocative and fascinating Do Gentlemen Really Prefer Blondes? breaks it down on her blog, in Why Tiger Woods Lost.
The theory is indeed compelling, however I'm pretty sure Mr. Woods will prevail this season. I'm guessing the testosterone deprived Tiger has the skill and talent to easily override evolution.
A testosterone-deprived Tiger? I think it was more a case of rightitis. One he will quickly overcome.
ReplyDeleteNow there's an interesting topic - you can't be happy and competitive at the same time!
ReplyDeleteI have my doubts on that theory...
So, according to this theory, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Arnold Palmer, Tom Kite, and any number of others were NOT into their familes ???
ReplyDeleteSometimes "scientists" start with whatever their own opinion is, then they formulate evidence to support their supposition.
Of COURSE there are men who lose some of their drive because they want to spend more time with their family, but most men step up to do MORE for their family. (then their wives accuse them of NOT wanting to be with their family and they end up in divorce court because the man isn't more like her)
Love your blog, Patricia. Always makes me think! As a new grandma (for the second time) myself, I'm thinkin' Tiger has more incentive than ever. BTW, I'm headed up to Westchester tomorrow. Warm it up for this Florida girl!!-Nikki on the 17th
ReplyDeletegg.
ReplyDeleteu seem to have way too much time on your hands. maybe it's time for nick to knock u up, get you barefoot and throw your ass in the kitchen.
this way he can start playing golf with his buddies instead of u and your 50+ handicap and ridiculous theories about golf, golf fashion and whatever else you drone on about.... oh yes, public relations.
maybe his testosterone levels will improve enough for him to man up and compete with his boys. i have always felt sorry for that poor bastard.
To Courtgolf.
ReplyDeleteYour comment started off making sense but then went into the "twilight zone". What is up with you dude? Are you retarded? I think you need to find a fat chick and just get laid or something before your head explodes.
Tiger Woods has been saddled with this amazing responsibility - to keep golf alive through an unprecedented global economic meltdown - I'm sure that as much as he loves the game, he must occasionally be tempted to walk away and live a normal life with his family. We've all got to hope he doesn't succomb to those temptations...or if he does that Elin pushes him back to the golf course :)
ReplyDeleteNow Now kiddlies!?
ReplyDeleteDespite what happened on Friday, I'm pretty sure this will be Tiger's best season ever. The idea that happiness and success breeds complacency can be put out there, but a competitive nature is something you either have or don't have. Tiger has always had it and I don't imagine he took this loss lightly. He's out there right now making sure it doesn't happen again.
ReplyDeletePoor Tim Clark must be wondering what else he needed to do to make people believe that he actually played the kind of game required to overcome the best player in the world. Didn’t the South African make something like 6 birdies in 15 holes? There is one way we can actually theoritise the whole thing. The suggested ‘lower testosterone’ level might not have really affected Tiger’s game, after all, golf is not the beat-your-chest-and-shoot-a-low-score kind of game. However, Tiger has always had an influence on how his playing partner performs. We have seen countless weeks where the challenger just melted away at the sight of the man in red tees and black trousers on a Sunday afternoon. To stretch this theory just a little bit, a very ‘familial Tiger’ might just not have that sort of an intimidating presence on the golf course anymore and that might pave the way for competition.
ReplyDelete….Now I wouldn’t be surprised if Tiger comes back and gobbles up the next four titles on offer to prove our fancy theoritisation all wrong!!
Cheers
Andy
GG-Too bad anonymous (6:06 PM) did not have the testosterone that he claims your husband needs to leave his real "name".
ReplyDeleteGet your swimsuit issue out soon...winter in Boston will be greatly shortened with its publication!
Does this mean that Tiger will have to resort to 'juicing' in order to get his hormones back?
ReplyDeleteCalling Jose Canseco...