Tiger Woods: His 8 Most Questionable Career Moves

There was a point where no matter what, Tiger Woods' moves would not be questioned. He was the top of the golf world with no one in spitting distance of him for the World Golf Rankings.

In about two years, we've seen that image be crushed, whether justifiably or not. With it, we've started to see flaws in Tiger's decision making.

This is about Tiger's career moves, however. It is NOT about his personal life. There is not a single slide in reference to what he has done personally. His personal life  may have influenced his game, but we're focusing on the golf with Tiger (new concept as of late).

Where could Tiger have done better?

Firing Fluff

Tiger was young, Fluff was a guiding caddy who was supposed to usher in Woods and get him settled. However, the length of the relationship was short-lived.

Why? Conflict between the two. There were certain things Fluff said Tiger didn't like, and as a young player Tiger saw no reason to let someone else tell him what he should be doing and shouldn't.

The split seemed to work out well, but would would have come of Tiger had he been under a better guided hand?

Leaving Butch Harmon for Hank Haney

Simply put, this move was unpredictable. Tiger played a large amount of his most dominant golf, especially up to that point in his career, under Butch Harmon. The romping at Pebble Beach was by far the biggest highlight of Woods' career to that point.

And then Woods dumped Butch Harmon. He wanted to change his swing, Harmon said he wouldn't do anything significant to it.

Again, Tiger wanted control and didn't want someone stopping him from doing as he pleased.

Although Tiger's knees may have taken a beating, it's not like Harmon wouldn't have adjusted the swing for something like that. 

And let's not forget, Tiger leaving Harmon gave Phil Mickelson the opening to hire him, along with Dustin Johnson.

Where would they all be if Tiger didn't leave Harmon?

At this point of Tiger's swing evolution, you definitely have to wonder where Tiger could be had he stuck to it.

Hiring Sean Foley

After tons of success with Butch Harmon, and then almost as much if not equal success under Hank Haney, Tiger decided that he needed a third opinion from a swing instructor. And whether the reason is personal or in the swing, Tiger's low period for this swing change is longer than Tiger's ever had to endure.

What Tiger hired in Sean Foley was someone who had about the same credentials as Hank Haney.

Foley's successes include Justin Rose, Sean O'Hair, and Hunter Mahan. All who combined don't have 10 victories in their career.

And that track record came with an attitude. Foley has proven time and time again that he will come to the plate and bat for his players. However that's never been Tiger's motif.

Needless to say if Tiger were to fire Foley I would not add that onto the list.

Not Stopping Using Metal Cleats Earlier

This may seem like a small thing, but realize how much more stress Tiger has put on his body.

What metal spikes do is lock in your feet. Without the ability to shift either way, Tiger's swing was not only beating on him, but the resistance added is something that very well could have added to his injury woes over the past few years.

The switch to soft spikes, and more sneaker-like shoes are going to make it easier. However the damage has been done, and a contributing factor was the metal that Tiger walked around with on the bottom of his golf shoes.

Switching Putters

Tiger may not have been the best putter on tour, but he always made it work when it counted.

Then he came off of the layoff, and he couldn't make a putt. So what was his solution? Switch putters from what he had used for his virtually his entire career.

All it's created is a demon in Tiger's game. He's either hot or he's not. And when he's not the number is in the 30s.

Whether or not Tiger goes back to the Scotty Cameron doesn't matter. He's damaged his confidence in his putting, and who knows how long that could stick with him.

Firing Steve Williams

There are two things that make this move so odd. When he did it, and why he did it.

Tiger didn't really play that much this season. He allowed Steve to caddy for Adam Scott, apparently reluctantly, and then proceeded to give Williams his walking papers.

Why in the middle of the season did Tiger think it was necessary to leave himself without a caddy who knows his game and the nuances of PGA Tour courses?

More importantly, why did Tiger let Williams go regardless? He's been the first guy to the plate for Tiger every time someone knocks him.

Was it a move of respect to let him get out of the media circle? Or was it something Williams did to set him off?

The only way we will ever know is if Williams puts it in his book, because unlike Stevie, Tiger keeps his mouth shut about his affairs.

Using Dr. Anthony Galea

What was created in this relationship, while it may have benefited Tiger's health, is a cloud of question over Tiger.

Did he use steroids? HGH? 

He's certainly had the injuries to require some help, but Tiger took his time to recover, something someone who cheated the system wouldn't have to do.

Everyone in golf wants this rumor to be false but unless there's conclusive proof, it's just going to be another question not answered about Tiger Woods.

Playing on a Broken Leg

It created possibly one of the gutsiest, and greatest performances in US Open history. But at what cost did it come?

Tiger Woods has not won a US Open since 2008. Sure his personal life went into the toilet, but what about him physically after 2008?

He won in 2009, but lost a lead for the first time in a major after 54 holes.

The question is did Tiger Woods do something to his body in 2008 he's not letting us onto? Is he still recovering from issues related all the way back?

Had he not played in that 2008 US Open, would his recovery been faster or required less surgery?

It's tough to say it was a questionable move, but in reality it is.