As a boy, Jack Nicklaus was my hero. Watching him play in the Masters at Augusta on television was the inspiration for me to get out there and learn to play golf. Today, Tiger is the role model for a new generation of young players who want to crush the ball the way he does.
But before I heap praise on his swing, it’s Tiger’s mental strength that impresses me more than anything. Just like Nicklaus before him, Tiger has that unique ability to go out and play his own game, as if he’s oblivious to what’s going on around him. So, as much as there is to learn from his technique, my advice to all young players is to study and copy Tiger’s approach and the concentration he puts into hitting every single shot: both on the practice tee and on the course, work on visualising the shot in your mind; go about your business as if every shot you hit is the most important in your life; eliminate unnecessary mannerisms and focus only on repeating pre-shot habits that affect the way you swing the club.