[SF_Cardinal_Fan]

Getting more sleep is definitely performance-enhancing, but I don't think that is controversial in the sports-doping world.  I second the thought that taking Ambien before going out on the course would be insane.  Adderall or modafinal, different story.

I do not believe Tiger took Ambien "before going out on the course". However, back in 2009 he did say that (to help him sleep at night) he had been taking Ambien for years.
In pressure packed golf course situations  Tiger mostly relied on his adherence to sound golf technique fundamentals.
After that, I think Tiger benefited from his mom's Buddhist influence, including the practice of meditation, which he learned as a youngster.
I do not know if a regular Ambien night time user is somehow effected during the day light hours.

[SF_Cardinal_Fan]

Getting more sleep is definitely performance-enhancing, but I don't think that is controversial in the sports-doping world.  I second the thought that taking Ambien before going out on the course would be insane.  Adderall or modafinal, different story.

I do not believe Tiger took Ambien "before going out on the course". However, back in 2009 he did say that (to help him sleep at night) he had been taking Ambien for years.
In pressure packed golf course situations  Tiger mostly relied on his adherence to sound golf technique fundamentals.
After that, I think Tiger benefited from his mom's Buddhist influence, including the practice of meditation, which he learned as a youngster.
I do not know if a regular Ambien night time user is somehow effected during the day light hours.

[ATLCard]

Ambien has a long half-life so some of it would still be in your system the next day.  However I would guess it is more likely to cause you to wreck your car on the way to the course than to improve your game.

[ATLCard]

Ambien has a long half-life so some of it would still be in your system the next day.  However I would guess it is more likely to cause you to wreck your car on the way to the course than to improve your game.

[Hurlburt88]

I have used Ambien for jet-lag.  I can't imagine using it to help compete . . . but that is me. 

[Hurlburt88]

I have used Ambien for jet-lag.  I can't imagine using it to help compete . . . but that is me. 

[BostonCard]

"He seemed to place a lot of emphasis on on the impact to society part of the ratings." If that is the basis for consideration and ultimately inclusion then Tiger warrants serious consideration. Personal flaws and demons aside, Tiger was a recent revelation much in the same way Arnold Palmer was in his time. Tiger captured notice and interest for many of us who were peripheral golf fans. I checked into the majors as well as the tournaments played on idyllic courses. Tiger made me tune into EVERY tournament he played, even if I left the TV on and went out to do yard work for a half hour or so. I came back in to watch HIM. Interest in golf spiked astronomically directly due to him. New bedroom (no pun intended) communities built around golf courses were erected (no pun intended) because of the Tiger phenomenon. ( See communities in Brentwood, Contra Costa, Co.) These communities are now taking three golf courses and paring down to one! The Tiger affect is now fools gold and tumbleweeds. Nike has bailed from the golf game and that is due to one mans' star having risen then shot its load. I think Tiger epitomizes impact on society AND economics.

I think that's a good, if polyannaish take; by virtue of Tiger being Tiger he did transform the image of African Americans and golf.  Pre-Tiger, golf was viewed as a White man's game; Tiger smashed that stereotype.  On the other hand, Tiger never (to my knowledge) leveraged his celebrity status in the pursuit of furthering broader social change, which I think is what the "impact on society" was getting at.

BC

[BostonCard]

"He seemed to place a lot of emphasis on on the impact to society part of the ratings." If that is the basis for consideration and ultimately inclusion then Tiger warrants serious consideration. Personal flaws and demons aside, Tiger was a recent revelation much in the same way Arnold Palmer was in his time. Tiger captured notice and interest for many of us who were peripheral golf fans. I checked into the majors as well as the tournaments played on idyllic courses. Tiger made me tune into EVERY tournament he played, even if I left the TV on and went out to do yard work for a half hour or so. I came back in to watch HIM. Interest in golf spiked astronomically directly due to him. New bedroom (no pun intended) communities built around golf courses were erected (no pun intended) because of the Tiger phenomenon. ( See communities in Brentwood, Contra Costa, Co.) These communities are now taking three golf courses and paring down to one! The Tiger affect is now fools gold and tumbleweeds. Nike has bailed from the golf game and that is due to one mans' star having risen then shot its load. I think Tiger epitomizes impact on society AND economics.

I think that's a good, if polyannaish take; by virtue of Tiger being Tiger he did transform the image of African Americans and golf.  Pre-Tiger, golf was viewed as a White man's game; Tiger smashed that stereotype.  On the other hand, Tiger never (to my knowledge) leveraged his celebrity status in the pursuit of furthering broader social change, which I think is what the "impact on society" was getting at.

BC

[DC 86]

Tiger never (to my knowledge) leveraged his celebrity status in the pursuit of furthering broader social change, which I think is what the "impact on society" was getting at.

BC

True, although Michael Jordan, who finished #1 on the list (ahead of Jackie Robinson and Muhammad Ali) is the prototype for an athlete refusing to leverage his superstardom in pursuit of social change.

[DC 86]

Tiger never (to my knowledge) leveraged his celebrity status in the pursuit of furthering broader social change, which I think is what the "impact on society" was getting at.

BC

True, although Michael Jordan, who finished #1 on the list (ahead of Jackie Robinson and Muhammad Ali) is the prototype for an athlete refusing to leverage his superstardom in pursuit of social change.

[Phogge]

Tiger was mesmerizing on TV. But I watched golf back when the nets covered only four holes and loved it. I watch more now including the Euro Tour on the weekends. I think I enjoy the PGA Tour more now because the play overall has never been better. And I love the crowd of young guys who actually like each other and seem to have fun playing without having to utilize a "Tiger Stare."

[Phogge]

Tiger was mesmerizing on TV. But I watched golf back when the nets covered only four holes and loved it. I watch more now including the Euro Tour on the weekends. I think I enjoy the PGA Tour more now because the play overall has never been better. And I love the crowd of young guys who actually like each other and seem to have fun playing without having to utilize a "Tiger Stare."

[johnnyo53]

Slightly old news, but I'm not very current. =)

Was skimming through The Undefeated's list of top 50 black athletes of all time (http://theundefeated.com/features/50-gre...-athletes/) as determined by a public SurveyMonkey poll combined with some straightforward math, and noticed that Tiger Woods was not anywhere to be found.

Where would you rank him on that list? (contributing categories included Impact on Society, Dominance, and Inspiration)

Perhaps for the sake of argument, what would his rank have been after his last Majors win?

GOLF ISN'T A SPORT IT'S A GAME OF STRATEGY AND PECULIAR SKILL SET.  HE'S AN ATHLETE WHO HAPPENS TO BE A GOLFER.

[johnnyo53]

Slightly old news, but I'm not very current. =)

Was skimming through The Undefeated's list of top 50 black athletes of all time (http://theundefeated.com/features/50-gre...-athletes/) as determined by a public SurveyMonkey poll combined with some straightforward math, and noticed that Tiger Woods was not anywhere to be found.

Where would you rank him on that list? (contributing categories included Impact on Society, Dominance, and Inspiration)

Perhaps for the sake of argument, what would his rank have been after his last Majors win?

GOLF ISN'T A SPORT IT'S A GAME OF STRATEGY AND PECULIAR SKILL SET.  HE'S AN ATHLETE WHO HAPPENS TO BE A GOLFER.