No More Mom Jeans: Tiger Makes Houston Design Stop

Jenny Dial Creech reports from Houston on Tiger's latest construction visit at Blaketree National, where the principle developer still goes with the sweater over the shoulders look while Tiger sheds his mom jeans to help with fuel economy for a Nike rain or track suit motif. Who said he wouldn't break new ground in the design world?

While this private project is for the beautiful people, at least we know it will set a good example in at least one way: a par-3 course aimed at the kids.

"One of the neatest things to me is the little playground. I grew up on a par-3 course, and the longest hole out there was maybe 120 yards. I remember hitting driver, 7-iron on those holes because I couldn't get there.

"Playing a golf course like this is so much fun. If you listen to the players who have had a chance to play Augusta, one of the things they talk about is the par-3 course and how neat that is. There are little hidden gems. That, to me, will be fun for all levels. You'll have the kids play, you can have adults play and have a blast and play multiple times."

Tiger touched on his game and modern carry distances.

"The big guys, ... their number is 320 in the air. The game has changed a lot. In 1996, I was the second longest guy behind Daly and I averaged 296. To be in the top 15 on the tour, you have to average over 300 yards. The game has changed dramatically and the courses have gotten so much longer. 7,500-yard golf courses seem short to us. I carried a ball 323. To me that's exciting because I haven't had that in years.

He also mentioned the release patterns, but expanded on why his short game is so bad.

"I am very excited about my game. Except for my short game, that's a bit of a mess. I was caught in between two techniques and so my release pattern is different. My bunker game got infinitely better, whereas my pitch game got worse.

"That will take some time to iron things out, but I know from about 40 yards out and on, my game got a lot better. So I need to work on the other stuff with my new release pattern."