The 19^th Hole

April 16, 2006

Choice Words

After his final round in the Masters a week ago, Tiger Woods spoke with Bill Macatee about his performance.  When asked about his lackluster putting on Sunday with the pressure on, Woods remarked that he putted like a “spaz” and was disappointed in his performance.  At the time, I thought nothing of it.  In fact, I agreed with Tiger’s assessment – he did putt with an unusual lack of proficiency on Sunday.

Apparently, though, the PC nerds that are in the media and society decided to have a fit about Woods’ use of the word “spaz.”  Commentators in Great Britain were livid that Tiger would use such an insensitive word given that he is usually very thoughtful in his remarks.  Some American newspapers went as far as to edit or completely omit the word from their reports about Tiger’s final round at the Masters. 

With all of this controversy about Tiger’s use of one word, I have to ask a question – am I missing out on an opportunity to rage here?

Even if I am, the media uproar about Woods’ comment is borderline absurd.  Almost every golf fan knows that Tiger has said far worse words on the golf course, in hearing distance of children.  He slams his club into his bag.  He makes audible use of obscenities and is not exactly the model for calamity.  Woods gets a pass on all of those things, probably because they are done in the heat of the moment. 

Yet somehow, I am supposed to feel offended that Tiger said the word “spaz” in the heat of the moment after what can only be described as an uninspiring round.  Woods could have made use of many more choice words in what he said to Macatee, including some creative obscenities.  I’m not very certain that if he had dropped several f-bombs after the round that it might have drawn the same ire as saying “spaz.”  Hell, someone is probably angry right now that I have used the word “spaz” five times to this point in the column.

And, guess what?  It should not matter to the media or anyone else if Tiger wants to use the word.  There are far more things in the world to be offended by than a simple case of semantics coming from a ticked off golfer who was trying to win a major golf title because he is chasing history and his dad is ailing at home.  Think for but ten seconds and I am sure you can come up with a laundry list of things more offensive than what I just described.

This is the case of the media making a story out of nothing thanks to political correctness.  I was not aware of any public cry for justice that was not penned by a golf writer in the days after Tiger’s comment.  I could understand the coverage if there was a more universal backlash against the use of the word “spaz.” 

The fact that Woods’ agent had to apologize on Tiger’s behalf is absolute absurdity.  It was done in an effort to squelch what has quietly become known as “Spazgate.” But, to be honest, little children use the word all of the time.  Should we make our kids apologize to one another each and every time they happen to use the word?  I guess it probably does not matter because kids are not public figures with endorsement deals in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Regardless of Woods’ place in society, though, he has a right to say some things that are off the cuff and unpolished sometimes.  We all are guilty of it from time to time and do not have to make public amends for it.  Politicians get away with much worse comments every single day and those guys have an unbelievable reelection rate.  Even more than that, this kind of PC thuggery within the media only furthers the tenuous relationship between athlete and reporter. 

No matter how you look at it, Tiger Woods is not Andrew Dice Clay and never will be.  Though, I must admit, that does sound like a hell of a way to boost those sagging ratings.

Ryan Ballengee is host of The 19^th Hole Golf Show, found at The Golf Newsnet.com.  You can also get The 19^th Hole on the go through podcasting by clicking here Feedburner.com - The 19th Hole Golf Show.  Contact Ryan via e-mail at the19thholeshow@hotmail.com.

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