Tiger Asks for Mulligan; Promises to Keep Driver in Bag

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

Generally speaking I share your sentiment from top to bottom. It's nobody's business and why should we care. But with a person of Woods' stature, his personal life, rightfully or wrongfully, is also Tiger Woods. Tiger and his team have put as much effort, time, and money maintaining and selling a manicured image, if you will, as he has put into his golf swing. Everytime someone purchases Nike, Buick, Amex or flies to Augusta because of Tiger Woods, they're buying a piece of Tiger Woods or the idea of Tiger Woods. In many ways he isn't even a person, he's a product. So on one hand, yes, who gives a flying a flip. But on the other hand, he's not just another Joe running around cheating on his wife.

The controversy isn't entirely about him screwing around, sure that's part of it. But in some perverted way the public, and mainly the media, are saying, hey, this product has some defects; it's flawed and someone has to account for it. Is that fair, of course not. Is it where we are as a culture and society, absolutely.

I guess I'm not like most people, and that's why I'm frustrated and can't understand why people care. Because if I'm going to buy a Buick, you can bet you're ass I don't give a flying eff if Tiger's associated, I would only buy it if it rated well by consumer reports and I liked driving it.

I do play Nike golf balls, but not because of Tiger. I play them because I gave them a shot and like the way they feel coming off my club.

I'm not influenced by celebrity or marketing or branding. I could give a crap. So I get what you're saying, lots of people are influenced by those things. I guess I'm just saying I find that pathetic.