“Let your clubs speak for you.” Tiger Woods was too young to perceive the discrimination in his surroundings. He lacked comprehension of the fact that people were being judged based on their skin color in this world. Because of his youth, he was unable to express his opinions or propose potential solutions to combat this injustice. Tiger encountered numerous racial challenges throughout his life due to being of mixed Thai and black heritage. As one of the youngest individuals, he established himself in the realm of golf. His aspiration extended beyond being the best black golfer; he aimed to be the ultimate golfer overall. Tiger’s approach in dealing with racism was to rely on his golf clubs to convey his message on his behalf. The narrative commences with a depiction of Earl Woods, Tiger’s father, during the Vietnam War. Earl narrowly escapes a sniper attack thanks to the intervention of his friend. Later on, he finds himself in a dangerous situation involving a bamboo viper, which once again his friend saves him from. This friend, with exceptional combat skills, goes by the nickname “Tiger” – Nguyen Phong.
Earl made a vow to name any future son “Tiger.” Once the war was over and he returned to the US, Earl married a Thai woman named Kultida and they had a son together. They named him Eldrick, but Earl called him Tiger. From an early age, Tiger Woods displayed a keen interest in golf, observing his father’s swing from his crib. He began playing at a very young age and even competed against older boys in Junior Nationals tournaments. Although he lacked the strength to hit long drives, Tiger possessed natural skill and was truly talented. Earl handcrafted miniature golf clubs for Tiger, sparking an intense obsession with the game. For Tiger, golf evolved beyond being a sport – it became an art form. Each hole he played showcased his progressing game at a whole new level. As Tiger matured, he continued competing in tournaments and achieving victories, including playing for Harvard’s golf team. Harvard had been interested in recruiting him from an early age. However, as his career progressed, Tiger demonstrated that he was not infallible and revealed his human flaws. The author of the book had thorough knowledge of Tiger’s life, having obtained much of the information directly from Kultida and Earl Woods. John Strege’s intention in writing this book was to provide insight into Tiger’s journey to his current status.
The book begins by explaining how Tiger got his name, revealing the author’s admiration for him. What I liked about this book was discovering the origins of Tiger’s name, as well as learning about Earl Woods’ decision to name his son Tiger as a way to show gratitude towards his friend Nguyen Phong. While I don’t typically have an interest in golf, this book was truly captivating. It was fascinating to read about Tiger’s early start in the sport and his daily practice sessions to improve his game. Tiger serves as a great example that with determination, hard work, and complete focus, one can achieve their goals in any area of life, not just in sports like golf. Despite my initial belief that this book would be dull due to the perceived boring nature of golf, I found myself engaged in the detailed descriptions of Tiger’s tournament experiences. Through the book, I felt like I was personally witnessing Tiger’s golf performances. There was nothing about this book that I disliked; being a biography, it accurately portrays someone’s life story and shouldn’t be altered too drastically. If there was one aspect I would add or explore further, it would be Tiger’s perspective on racism now that he is older, since the recurring phrase “Let your clubs speak for you” throughout the book made me curious about his thoughts on this matter.
For those curious about Tiger Woods, it would have been intriguing to examine the influence of racism on his life. Whether or not someone is interested in golf, this book provides enjoyment and delves into his biography and path to becoming one of the greatest golfers globally. It is a worthwhile read that should be shared with others.
