One writer’s plea to Tiger: Don’t try to play golf anymore

One writer's plea to Tiger: Don't try to play golf anymoreTiger Woods recently checked into a clinic to receive help to deal with prescription medication for pain and a sleep disorder. Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesFacebookTwitterFacebook MessengerEmailcommentJun 28, 2017Kevin Van ValkenburgESPN Senior Writer CloseSenior Writer for ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine
Born and raised in Western Montana
Spent 11 years as a feature writer for The Baltimore SunFollow on TwitterFacebookTwitterFacebook MessengerPinterestEmailprintcommentEvery time I think about Tiger Woods telling a police officer he cannot bend over and tie his shoes, there is a voice in the back of my head that I simply can't shake. It's something I never thought I'd think, much less say out loud:
I don't want this man to try to play golf anymore.
Tiger's body is broken. This has been apparent for a long time, but the golf universe seems so emotionally (and financially) invested in his return..

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The Best Way to Get to the Masters (Part 2)

My last blog post was regarding practice, and, the importance of practice, practice, practice.
Although I can't stress this enough, I do want to note that practice alone is not an answer.
SMART PRACTICE is essential.
I hit the range twice this week, and took notice of the other hackers working on their game.
Many (MOST?), swing, ball after ball, and repeat same slice (hook, top, etc.) over and over again, thinking that just swinging again will fix the issue.
Some others I see attempting to look at their swing. Looking back at the club in the back-swing, or taking slow swings to see what it looks like.
When I went to the range on Tuesday, I had an awful slice with my drive, and was chunking my pitches. Note, that my under-100 yard shots are all pitches with different clubs, and different length back-swings.
As of late, I had been hitting many FAT. If you're a novice golfer, FAT does not refer to that jelly roll around my midsection – it means you're swing arc bottoms ou..

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