Eldrick Woods was born in Cypress, California to Earl Woods, an African American retired lieutenant colonel from the American Army, and Kutilda Woods, a Thai national. His nickname Tiger was patterned after the nickname of his father’s friend Vuong Dang Phong, a Vietnamese soldier

Even at a very tender age, Tiger Woods showed a keen interest in golf, as when he was only six months old, he tried to imitate his father and watch him hit golf balls into a net. At two years old he already appeared on the Mike Douglas Show playing golf with Bob Hope. At the age of five he was featured in Golf Digest and he made an appearance in ‘That’s Incredible’ in ABC. At eight years old he showcased his talents in Good Morning America and won the 1884 Junior World Golf Championships. During the ages of 8, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 15 his golfing skills were unparalleled, being the youngest player to have ever won the Optimist International Junior tournament and only player to have won multiple times.

As a boy, Tiger loved skateboarding and riding the bicycle, but he also had trouble speaking. Tiger overcame this by possessing an intense desire to win and by talking to the family dog. He studied high school in Anaheim, California at Western High School. The usual challenges of adolescence and high school did little to prevent Tiger from soaring and playing the game that he loved. It was in 1992, when Tiger was only 16 years old, when he entered his very first professional golf tournament. This was the 1992 Nissan Los Angeles Open. The following year Tiger joined three PGA Tour competitions. In 1994 he joined three more PGA Tour events and placed 34th in the Johnnie Walker Asian Classic in Thailand. It was also that year when Tiger triumphed in the Western Amateur. He represented the United States in the World Amateur Golf Team Championships which was held in France. Tiger was the youngest player to have won that event. It was the year 1995 when Tiger won the Walker Cup Match in Wales.

During the length of Tiger’s amateur golf career he had won an impressive three consecutive US Amateur title also being the youngest to have done so. He was the youngest ever to have won the US Junior Amateur and the only player to have won more than once. Tiger studied at Stanford University for two years, but he decided to leave college and pursue a life as a professional golfer.

It was when Tiger won the U.S. Masters in 1997, at the age of 21, with a magnificent score of 270, did his star truly shine being the youngest and the first ever African American to have done so. In the course of the years Tiger have won the 1999 and 2000 US PGA title. He also won the US Open in 2000 and 2002 and U.S. Masters in 2001 and 2002. In 2003 Tiger would win five more tournaments including the Buick Invitational and the Western Open. In 2004 Tiger married his long time girlfriend and Swedish model Elin Nordegren. In 2005 he won six major tournaments and was hailed the PGA Tour Player of Year, his seventh time in a span of nine years.

In 2006 Tiger would suffer a devastating loss when his father Earl, then 74 years old, would succumb to prostrate cancer. Tiger tried to play at the US Open that same year but his grief is evident as he failed to qualify for the major, his very first time to have done so in his career.

Tiger was able to overcome this and won various events including the British Open and the PGA Championship. It was also in 2006 that Tiger would open the Tiger Woods Learning Center in Anaheim, California. He spent $5 million on the Center with the purpose of guiding and mentoring children from 10 to 18 years of age. The foundation also offers some academic courses and programs for the children. Tiger also hosts an annual concert called ‘Tiger Jam’ which is a fundraiser for Tiger’s foundation. In 2007 he won the US PGA Championship and the World Golf Championship. In February 2008, Tiger won his third WGC Match Play Championship title.

I’m pretty sure Tiger Woods would win more golf tournaments but when one looks at Tiger Woods, one does not simply see an accomplished athlete and a golf player. One sees a man driven by excellence and honed through time. His sheer talent leaves one in awe but his quiet strength and his innate love to help others in need are the qualities that are even more inspiring and that merits him the title of a legend in the making.

Most professionals tend to like playing golf during their spare time. Because of this, most people tend to have an impression that golf is a game of professionals such as top executives. However, there’s just something about golf that makes it quite an appealing sport especially for these so-called business professionals and executives. It is mainly because the said sport is very relaxing yet competitive at the same time. It poses a subtle challenge to those who play it without implicating a very stressful vibe.

Moreover, golf courses are also among the main factors why most people choose the said sport. In the US alone, there are plenty of golf courses that are such appealing and eye-catching venues for most golfers—amateurs and professionals alike. Most of these golf courses in the US are also characterized by the fact that they really vary in terms of physical and territorial appearance. It can also happen that golf courses have both the characteristics found within a smooth and a rugged terrain.

Among the top choices when it comes to golf courses in the US is Pebble Beach Golf Links. It is actually such an icon on its own and even became critically acclaimed. It has started to make a mark in the golf scene back in 1919 and was a top ranking golf course back in 2005 based on the US’ Golf Digest. The said golf course owes much of its popularity on its beautiful terrain. Most of its golf holes are incorporated throughout its ragged coastline and is crafted beautifully along the Pacific Ocean. Because of its intricate detail and its inherent beauty, the Pebble Beach Golf Links often becomes a host among major golf tournaments. It is also the home of US Open Championships.

Another popular golf course in the US is Pinehurst Resort and Country Club. This particular golf course holds a lot of historical value since it was built way back in 1895. It also gained its fame because of the eight different golf courses found within it, thus allowing flexibility and variations among golf players. It is pretty easy to be immersed in playing golf here because it spans 2,000 acres and with eight different courses to choose from. It can easily become a haven for golf enthusiasts who wanted to hone their golfing skills even further.

A golf course found in North Las Vegas has gained its fame because it was popularly incepted by architect Tom Brizio. This golf course is Shadow Creek. It is often included as a package among MGM Properties. Once a person makes reservation at the golf course while in Vegas, a limousine will be picking you up on the stated schedule of playing. The limousine will be your service to and from your hotel. Shadow Creek has also gained its popularity from the lush and beautiful environment which golfers get to face on their way to the golf course. While there, it is highly recommended that golf players check out the eighteenth hole. This particular hole is actually the entire golf course’s highlight because of its intricate craftsmanship.

To some, golf is a game of class and sophistication. To some, it’s a means of relaxation and unwinding. Whatever it really may be to people though, only thing remains certain. Golf is indeed one of the most fascinating and challenging games on the face of the planet. As such, it requires practice in order to harness certain skills regarding techniques which can help you putt better. If you are having difficulty with your golfing affairs lately, just read on. You will surely like the tips we have in store for you.

First, always remember that a relaxed arm is a good arm. This allows you to have a better swing which hits the ball the right way. Tense arms often make the putt a failure by putting the golf ball off course or ricochet away from the hole. To make sure that your arm is relaxed just try swing the club back and forth first without hitting the ball. While doing this, make sure that you are trying to appease your mind. Once you’ve relaxed, take a smooth calculated swing. This will bring you a little closer to your well deserved whole in one.

Second, make sure that you know how to measure the distance of the ball from the whole. This is an important skill when it comes to effective ways of putting your ball right. You might also want to use your golf club in order to get a clearer view. Just try angling your golf club to visually connect the ball to the hole. This will give you ample insights on how to play the game right.

Third, you must always consider the natural bumps of the ground whenever you put. Since golf is played on grassy grounds, you can expect that it isn’t as smooth as you always want it to be. As such, your ball is always prone to directional changes, especially if it passes through dents and unevenness on the ground. To overcome this difficulty, a golf player must consider putting the ball with ample consideration of the ground. Try to let the ball reach the hole while following the ground’s dented path, just like a marble falling down a maze. This harmonious putting move will take you a step closer to a much desired win.

The last thing guideline when it comes to putting is for spectators, caddies and all other non players on the course. This is silence. You see, golf is a sport which requires much concentration and no distraction at all. As such, everyone must try to stay away from making sudden loud noises which may affect the putt. Put this in mind whenever you’re around someone who’s trying to putt.

Now that you know all these, grab a club and a caddie! It’s time for you to unleash the Tiger Woods within you with a little swinging and putting. With these guidelines by your side, putting your way to success will be very easy!