What a beautifully balanced and insightful article! I am a 5-handicap golfer and life long fan of competitive golf. I was a big Palmer fan as a kid and then avidly followed Tom Watsons career as a member of my own generation. Only at the end of his career did I appreciate Jack and understand what he had done and the class he displayed all along the way. Then came Tiger...Like everyone else I was amazed. It is not possible that someone can win six USGA national championships in a row. It is not possible that someone can hold all four major professional championships at one time. It is not possible that someone can keep sinking those 15-footers on the 72nd hole every time to win big tournaments. If you didn't believe already, he was enough to make you believe in God. Like millions of others, I was devastated by the revelations that destroyed that holy aura I had put around him. I couldn't get a grip on how I felt or how I would feel about him going forward. Your article helped. It provided a better understanding of the why and offered some hypotheses about how Tiger may go forward, thereby offering a path for us fans as well. Thanks for the brilliant insight and writing. Peter Mercury

What are you thinking? Tiger's a golfer, the best in the world, we golfers respect him and want his help. He, along with 50 plus percent of other Americans, and probably 80 plus percent of other athletes, cheated on his wife. WE DON'T CARE. I'm tossing my Golf Digest until you get him back. SHAME ON YOU! John Browning

I keep saying to my circle of friends, that Tiger will still be the
greatest. He made a error in judgment that he and his family are paying
the price. Why do we stand on these soap boxes telling Tiger what to
do, just because he is a celebrity? A from Mandeville, La states he
will "never" be considered the greatest.... Doesn't anyone get it??

Ball players and pro athletes have been having extramarital affairs
since Babe Ruth! they were not published or talked about daily because
there was NO interent or Access Hollywood or Star Magazine! President
Bill Clinton and almost all politicians to boot! NO ONE HUMAN IS
PERFECT, PEOPLE!! Look into your own closet and see how imperfect you
are and show America YOUR life under a microscope! Let Tiger do his
thing and embrace him as you loved him before for all he is to us is a
GOLF ICON, not a GOD!
-- Jeffrey M. Rosenberg, Clarksburg, MD

And when the comparative analysis of Tiger To Arnold Palmer and Jack
Nicklaus begin regarding their "greatness" let us not forget, unless we
changed Arnold's or Jack's diapers every night or put their pants on them
every day, none of us can honestly say that we know what's in their
respective pasts...or have we just learned nothing at all from Tiger
Woods? No man or women is an island unto themselves. Ken Stackhouse,
Riverdale, GA

No doubt many will point out that Tiger Woods' marital infidelity
is not unlike other players on the PGA tour, past and present. That isThat is
probably true. But Tiger has never been measured against just the
everyday PGA tour player. Instead he has been measured against Jack
Nicklaus. In fact, that is what he expects to be measured against. And
so he should get his wish, and as such he comes no where close to Mr.
Nicklaus. Now we really see the character of Woods. He has proven
himself to be a cheat. Eldrick has a very, very long way to go to equal
the Golden Bear. Lee Easterday, Amarillo, TX

What has happened to "Stack and Tilt" by Bennett and Plummer? Other than the brief article by Golf Digest in the December issue I have not seen much on the swing technique. Ron Kaanehe, California

Your letters on Tiger continue, Christmas or no Christmas. Enjoy the holiday and, if you choose, excerpts from the latest letters to both Golf World and Golf Digest:

GW Tiger's fall hits golf like a freight train and Golf World's coverage is a modest and lightweight 2 1/2 pages? That's akin to teeing off with a 9 iron on a down wind par 5.  Come on, GW, take out the driver and let 'er rip! I was left with a multitude of unanswered questions.  I never thought I'd write this, but I am disappointed in Golf's No. 1 publication. Steve Rufino, Lenexa, KS

GW, your coverage of the Tiger Woods affairs is a joke.  Please hire your readers Coleman Organ, Penny Carter, Vito Caselnova and Judy Wood to to tackle the tough issues you guys need to stick to the fluff!!! Jeff James, Austin, TX

Don’t judge Tiger by what happens in his private life, just like no one should judge your private life.  Judge by what he gives to the world publicly and through his very generous charitable contributions. Todd Pfeiffer, Parkville, MO

Historically, we tend to forgive our fallen heroes. After all, when they're on top, we like to think of ourselves as human just like them even though they seem God-like. When they fall, we take solace in the realization that they are human just like us in the final analysis. So it goes. Gary Gaul, Wayne, PA

--Bob Carney, 12/24

The story may be dying in the tabloids, but not in your hearts and pens:Your letters have increased in the past few days, if that's possible. Excerpts from the latest follow. Oh, two things. We aren't all liberals here at Golf Digest, not even close. We're not even all Democrats. (You can hardly find one on the sales side). We are naive, I suppose, in thinking as we did that putting a President who plays golf on the cover would be a popular thing with golfers, or that the world's No. 1 player would always be known for his golf. As that Dylan song goes, "Things have changed." For what may be the best story yet on Tiger and his predicament, see Jaime Diaz's piece, up today on our site, and the comments that are already flooding in from its early posting on Geoff Shackelford's blog. 

So glad I have decided not to continue with my subscription to your magazine since I recently read you are not dropping Tiger from being one of your columnists. Just goes to show what people are willing to overlook and then you wonder why this society is going down the sewer. You folks probably also vote Democrat and love the people we have in Washington right now. Dennis Spars, FL

Love the cover!!!! Awesome!  Keep up the good work!!! John Curls, Lakeland, FL

Your cover obviously comes at an unfortunate time.  I am the father of two young boys.  Last week as I was removing two Tiger posters from their rooms, it presented a great teaching moment.  "Just because someone is a great golfer or athlete, doesn't mean they're a great person." It was similar to the discussion we had months ago about having  respect for the Office of the President, but not necessarily for the person sitting in that office. Bryan Rockhill, Forest, VA

Tiger and Obama on the January '10 cover? Way to start your first round of the new year with a double bogey! Philip Gaid, Vancouver, WA

In light of the recent salacious revelations about Tiger Woods, I would like to restate my case for golf's greatest champion. Greatness in our game is, of course, measured by more than just the total number of majors won, especially when that wasn't even the goal at the time. In his 93 years on earth, my candidate not only set golf records that are almost certainly forever beyond reach, but also conducted his entire life as an honorable gentleman of the highest integrity, giving back to the game as a mentor, teacher, and friend who was loved and admired by everyone he touched. I am referring, of course, to the incomparable Byron Nelson. Howard Crosby, Walla Walla, WA

Well said, Mr. Crosby.

--Bob Carney

Here, a selection of the latest of your letters on Tiger Woods, our cover and, as one writer puts its, "our leftist leanings." This, of course, is baloney, but at the risk of attracting more such criticism, I'll point you to today's New York Times and especially Frank Rich's column naming Woods the Person of the Year. Rich writes: 

What's striking...is the exceptional, Enron-sized gap between this golfer's public image as a paragon of businesslike discipline and focus and the maniacally reckless life we no know he led. What's equally striking, if not shocking, is that the American establishment and news media--all of it, not just golf writers or celebrity tabloids--fell for the Woods myth....

He zeroes in on our January cover story:

In the January issue of Golf Digest, still on the stands, some of the best and most hardheaded writers in America offer "tips Obama can take from Tiger," who is characterized as so without human frailties that he "never does anything that would make him look ridiculous."

While I'm living in leftist territory, I'll also recommend the letters column in the Times sports section, especially the first letter:

Walter Horn of Garden City, New York, writes that "after 41 years of attempting to be a good husband, parent and person, I am hereby announcing that I am taking an indefinite leave to work at being a better golfer...." 

Now on to your letters:

So on the latest issue cover you decided to put a philanderer (great golfer--lousy person) and a marxist/communist and then ask me to renew my long time subscription. LOL. Dale S. Smith, Georgetown, ME

Although a great golfer, Tiger has shown that he is a bum.  Hope I don't have to see his face in your mag in the future. Emil Hvizdak

One writer responded to Bill Fields column on the Woods story in the latest issue of Golf World:

Bill Fields nailed it with his profound metaphor when he wrote "...there also figures to be a competitive bounce among his rivals who, along with everyone else, have gotten a revealing look behind the curtain." The Wizard of Oz has been exposed for the fake that he is.  Joe McCarron, Dublin, CA

--Bob Carney

More letters on Tiger and the cover. May I suggest that many of you are more upset with the President being on the cover than with Tiger and his infidelity, which strikes me as strange--but what, exactly, is strange anymore? This first letter suggests somehow that we, our readers, or the public don't understand this whole Tiger thing, aren't sufficiently appalled about it. Not so sure. New David Brown Rating ratings (used by advertising agencies) place Woods, once No. 9, in the 2325th spot, next to the athlete who has come out in support of him: Ron Artest. This is not good news for the world's No. 1. --Bob Carney

Your readers get it.  You don't.  Most letters to Golf World are appropriately sympathetic first and foremost to the great damage Tiger Woods has done to his family and others dependent upon him. But sadly, while letter writers condemn his despicable behavior, Golf World can only wonder, "When will Tiger return?"  "Will he play as well?"  "Will he retain his endorsements?"  Tiger Woods is a hypocrite, and worse, a wrecker of lives.  Just once I'd like to read that in the pages of Golf World. Mike Spellman, Brentwood, CA  

Regarding the January 2010 edition, the last person I want to see on the cover of Golf Digest is our president Barrack Obama. I have to put up with that on all the major media, but to have him invaded my favorite passtime and see him in my favorite magazine is a sin.  I will reconsider my subscription if you keep this up.  As to Tiger Woods, what a shame for his wife, family and him.  He is now taken off the pedistal that most of him have placed him on, but he is still the world's best golfer.  I hope he can learn, rehabilitate and recovers, but it has cost him dearly. Mike Bales, Cleveland, OH

Ron Sirak's column on Tiger's hiatus drew praise from one reader, while another offered advice to Tiger. (It's surprising how little advice we've got from you). Our friend Gene Martineau suggests that perhaps the European Tour is in Tiger's future. Not so sure about that, Gene. 

To Ron Sirak, thank you for the best words of perspective on the dreadful events revealing Tiger's almost double life.  Its sad for his wife and family and for all of us who are golf fans.  Your column wisely helps the reader get a perspective on what to think about all of it.  As

improbable as it may seem, there's reason to hope that his wife and Tiger may come out of this better.  Whether together or not they are
both better off with an end to all the deceit.

Its a reminder of how perceptive Shakespeare was when he wrote of tragedy. Dr. Chuck Diakon

With Tiger's wife purchasing a home in Sweden it is very conceivable that Tiger will move to Sweden and join the European Tour and in the future only play in the United States in the 3 U.S. majors. Gene Martineau, Roseville, Ca.

It is time for Tiger to undo the damage he has done to his family and his sport. The only way he can fix his marriage is akin to substance abuse post-rehab. You do not abstain when there is no substance available, you abstain in the real world where the substance is available. Tiger owes it to the not  only his fellow professionals but more importantly to the hundreds of charities and thousands of beneficiaries of those charities that have performed great things because Tiger was the PGA. Get out there and play a game. Start back up because if you don't...the latter restart will be harder and your peers and the charities will suffer. Kevin Shea, Hopkinton, MA 

--Bob Carney

Golf Digest's January cover, as well as the latest news on Tiger's leave of absence and his relationships with his corporate partners, continues to generate your comment, both on this blog and via email. Here are some of the latest letters to Golf Digest and Golf World. 

One of the great elements of the game of golf is its reliance on each participant's character and integrity in upholding the rules. Breaching a rule doesn't make one a cheater but not reporting it does. I feel it necessary to remind you of this in the wake of the emerging Tiger Woods scandal. Your magazine knowingly allowed Mr Woods to pose for the cover of another magazine so they would cover up his scandalous behavior. This makes you a willing accomplice and enabler of his behavior and you have helped damage his family. It's obvious you don't understand the rules of
the game or of life. There are some things more important than money, like character and integrity. You have helped create a stain on this great game that will linger for a long time. I've been a loyal subscriber for more years than I care to count and have always looked forward to each issue's arrival but in the future Golf Digest is no longer welcome in my home. Dan Payton, Clover, SC

Dan, your view of our role in this is not correct. From the Editor: "We did not know of the Men's Fitness cover until it ran. We chose not to raise an objection with IMG about it because it was not a violation of Tiger's contract and we did not view Men's Fitness as a competitive magazine." 

With the PGA Tour melting down about the absence of Tiger Woods, why not use this time to heavily market the young up and coming stars such as Rory McElroy, Ricky Fowler, Ross Fisher, et al?  No player is bigger than the game regardless of the revenue he or she may bring to their respective tours.  Every generation has a player who has a long "run," Miller, Watson, Norman, and Woods. Let's start looking at those new players who have the potential to make one of those "runs."  Real golf fans are ready to move on from Woods just as many have tired of Daly's schtick. Mike Dubiel, Wichita, KS

The saddest part of this story, second only to the insult and injury to his wife, is a devastating blow to the game of golf. Golf is a self regulated game wherein you call penalties on yourself. It is often used as a paradigm for how to live a good life. He has gotten all that he is, including a trophy wife, because of this wonderful game. The game will survive, but, he will never again be considered the "greatest". He may be the "best" golfer, but he can never again be compared to men of great character, like Nicklaus or Palmer. Golf is much more than hitting a ball. Coleman Organ

I know that the PGA is between a rock and a hard place. Woods' behavior is unacceptable in every way.  However, he does not need to leave the arena.  His behavior is de rigor in Japan, Korea, Thailand and perhaps, China. He can play immediately without censor in those venues. J. Kaiser, Holmes Beach, FL

On Friday, before Tiger Woods announced his leave of absence from the tour and Accenture announced its decision to end its relationship with Woods, we published the latest of your letters on the Woods situation and our January cover featuring Tiger and President Barack Obama. Here are more of your letters, mostly critical, some empathetic, almost all not thrilled by our cover. Especially this first correspondent....

I have not, and will not open this issue. It is being placed in storage, protected, and we'll see if it has any value in the years ahead, because I cannot open it myself in lieu of recent events. Tiger's character flaws have disappointed so many millions of people, that I cannot help but believe it carries over into his golf game. Our beloved President is the same, a radical socialist bent on destroying the very fabric of our lives, the Republic which has given him the freedom to become the most powerful man on earth.  Keep Tiger off your cover and keep Obama off it, or I will cancel my subscription. James Ramsey, Brentwood, TN

I support Tiger Woods and his family during this dificult time. All should know this will pass and public opinion will change again as they always do. Sponsors should remember that Tiger sells because he is the best at what he does and people always want a part of that. When he continues to set records and win in amazing fashion what watch will he be wearing, what car will he be driving, etc. Sponsors should take notice THEY CAN BE REPLACED!! Kristoper Moshier, Middletown, CT

Regarding your Editor's Letter: Yes, golf needs help.  And pictures of
President Obama on the cover might help.  But I suggest that pictures of Woods will not.  I was already tired of the relentless coverage of Tiger. For example, the winner of the recent U.S. Open did not make headlines; the fact that Tiger did not win was front and center.  Now the Tiger has proven that he's not very intelligent, I hope we won't see a lot of him from now on. Ken Beaudrie, Denver, CO

I am disgusted at your political statement on this month's cover. I have
no problem with Tiger being on the cover as he is still and always will
be relevant in the golf world, however for you to put the president on
the cover and take up space in the magazine with a non-relevant article
is a futile attempt at covering up your real biased agenda. Although you
have the right to print whatever articles and photos you choose, it does
not have to be at my expense. Do not send any more renewal notices to my
address or I will convince every friend and business associate that I
know to cancel their subscriptions as well. I am done. Kirt Chouest,
Galliano, LA

As a subscriber, I am appalled at your choice of the President on the
January cover.  No president in history has done more to bash the sport
and its participants.  Samples:  His criticism of bank sponsorships of
golf; his trashing of the corporate jet industry; his disdain for small
business (of which pro golfers are); and his plans to tax the very
golfers you think you represent.  I can forgive Tiger Woods for his
transgressions, but not the President for his efforts to destroy the
very wealth created by the sport. Drew Roy, San Antonio, TX

Dear Editor,
Earl Woods once said that the only thing that would stop Tiger is a woman.  He just didn't know that it would be more than one. 
James Harrison, Miami

Dear Editor,
I am disgusted and dismayed by the conduct of Tiger Woods. If your relationship with Mr. Woods continues, I imagine your company will suffer serious repercussions. Obviously the man has become an icon, however nothing can gloss over the damage he has done to his wife and children. 
Lorraine Krausnick 
The Villages, FL

Dear Editor,
Would someone please tell Tiger that marital infidelity is not a mistake.  It's a character flaw. 
Penny Carter Duluth, GA

Dear Editor,
Tiger is only human.. He is now in the 60 percentile of married men, who indulge extra-marital affairs... He should stem the storm of controversy and put to rest all speculation just as Letterman did from the beginning. Privacy is utmost to him, however, being evasive is not the way to go.
Vito Caselvona
Bayshore, NY

Dear Editor,
Like every other student of the game, I hope to continue being rendered speechless by the unmatched quality of every facet of Tiger's game, the fierceness of his never-say-die competitive spirit, and the trancelike self-discipline he musters and sustains without interruption through seventy-two holes.   What's more, I don't question for a moment that he
is entitled to a personal life with its byword being the name of his yacht, or rather ship..."Privacy."

All of that having been said though, in my opinion, Eldrick Woods may be an on-course Tiger,  the likes of which none have come before him, but alas, off it he is no Mr. Nicklaus, Mr. Hogan, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Jones, Mr. Ouimet or Mr. Vardon.  Pity.
Stuart Kern
San Pedro, CA