He Said What?: 11 Memorable Tiger Woods Quotes

Throughout his PGA Tour career, Tiger Woods wasn’t the type of person to give long-winded stories, amusing anecdotes, or talk about other golfers. No, he was a man that was all business most of the time. Within his often even-keel, calm demeanor, he has small tidbits of advice that were inspirational and memorable. But Tiger Woods quotes have an interesting aspect you won’t find from many other pro athletes: the ability to take them and mold them to almost any aspect of your life.

If you’re searching for inspiration in pint-sized packages, read these quotes from one of the most recognized personalities on the planet.

The 11 Best Tiger Woods Quotes To Inspire and Motivate

Famous for major championships and events off the golf course, Tiger Woods quotes cover a wide range of personal information, motivation, and inspiration. Life lessons spill from his experiences, his own expectations, car crashes, injuries, failed relationships, and more. Perhaps more amazingly, he has the tact to condense complex situations and boil them down to just a few lines. Few professional golfers other than maybe Jack Nicklaus, Rory McIlroy, or Lee Trevino can do the same.

Let’s examine some of Tiger Woods's most memorable and inspirational quotes over the years as a study in self-improvement, work ethic, and inspiration.

1. “Talent is something you are born with, and a skill is something you develop. Ninety-nine percent of what you need to succeed in golf are skills.”

Arguably the most talented player in the world — even from a young age — this quote speaks volumes about Tiger Woods dedication to the sport. His tireless hard work and dedication to improving his game are evident in everything that Woods has done, but this shows you his mindset on everything. From playing consistently to choosing the right golf club to his diet, Woods had a work ethic beyond belief.

2. “If you are given a chance to be a role model, I think you should always take it because you can influence a person's life in a positive light, and that's what I want to do. That's what it's all about.”

Whether Woods is still a role model is the subject of a heated debate, but Americans seem to look the other way at Tiger Woods’ indiscretions. In this Tiger Woods quote, he shows how his inspiration is a proud point of his game, encouraging others to be shining examples. It’s something to live by—even when you’re a role model who doesn’t always make the right decision.

3. “Train Hard. Fight Easy.”

Taken directly from his father, Earl Woods, this Tiger Woods quote explains dedication and performance in the simplest terms possible. Instead of fighting the battle on the golf course, a person should strive to fight the battle in training. The more time that one puts into the putting, driving, or mental aspect of the game, the easier golf becomes when one is on the course.

4. "A key to my success: I develop a game plan and try to stick to it."

Let’s follow this quote with another: “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” This is as true on the golf course as it is in real life. Tiger isn’t playing on skill alone when he walks into the tee box. He’s played the course, developed a system regarding his club choice and shot selection, and put forth the right amount of effort toward course management and strategy.

5. “The greatest thing about tomorrow is I will be better than I am today. And that's how I look at my life. I will be a better golfer, I will be a better person, I will be a better father, I will be a better husband, [and] I will be a better friend. That's the beauty of tomorrow.”

Perhaps one of the most famous golf quotes from Tiger, this phrase demonstrates his optimistic outlook. No matter who you are or what you’re doing, you can only top out if you truly believe you have nothing to improve upon.

The beauty of tomorrow is that you have another skill to develop, regardless of what that skill might be.

6. “People don't understand that when I grew up, I was never the most talented. I was never the biggest. I was never the fastest. I certainly was never the strongest. The only thing I had was my work ethic, and that's been what has gotten me this far.”

Tiger's “lack of talent” seems like a far-flung and arbitrary statement. But the humility of a golfer with the ability to become the youngest winner at The Masters at Augusta or dominate The Players Championship is something that should be taken with admiration.

Work ethic and perseverance are two of the tenets of great athletes and performers. Without it, you’re just a person with talent — not a true professional.

7. “I just miss my dad so much. I wish he could have been here to witness this. He enjoyed watching me grind out Major wins, and this would have brought a smile to his face.”

This Tiger Woods quote came after winning The Open at Hoylake in 2006, his first Major Championship title after the death of his father. Earl Woods was the most inspirational person in Tiger’s life. In this quote, you learn how much his father meant to him in almost every way imaginable. Without Earl, you have no Tiger, and he knew that.

8. “No matter how good you get you can always get better, and that's the exciting part.”

Another inspirational quote from Tiger, this quip demonstrates his commitment to excellence and honing his craft. Taken as an excerpt from his biography, this quote offers insight into his ability to constantly get better, especially after a lackluster day on the course.

One thing that’s common among the world's most successful people is how they deal with failure. With this Tiger Woods quote, you should feel as though nothing is insurmountable, and the next day offers even more of a chance to improve.

9. “Hockey is a sport for white men. Basketball is a sport for black men. Golf is a sport for white men dressed like black pimps.”

Tiger Woods wasn’t known for having the greatest sense of humor, but he could sure deliver a zinger like this every so often. Having Black, Asian, and White heritage gives Tiger the ability to offer this hot take on the sports world and one that’s true if you think about the demographics of each sport.

Tiger always dressed normally for his events, avoiding the temptation to look like the pimp-esque Payne Stewart. But this quote dives into his outlook on sports, breaking barriers, and poking a little fun all at the same time.

10. “I felt that Stevie and I have had just an amazing run. Steve is a hell of a caddie, there's no denying that. He's helped my career, and I think I've helped his, as well.”

In 2011, Tiger Woods dismissed his caddie, Steve Williams, due to an unknown dispute. With Tiger’s prowess on the course, being a caddie is assuredly a stressful job. But rather than air their dirty laundry, Tiger chose the high road. This Tiger Woods quote demonstrates his professionalism and how even the wrong fit doesn’t necessarily mean the other party is worthy of a smear campaign.

11. “As a kid, I might have been psycho, I guess, but I used to throw golf balls in the trees and try and somehow make par from them. I thought that was fun.”

Tiger Woods had a golf club in his hands by the time he was 18 months old and never stopped picking it up regularly. But once he began to hit mammoth drives, improve his short game, and master the wedge, he needed a new challenge.

By throwing the ball into the woods, Woods himself added another layer of depth to his game. He didn’t often find himself in the deep rough, but even as a child, he had ways to get himself out of trouble.

12. “I still have game.”

Coming back from an injury isn’t easy for any athlete, but Tiger’s work ethic and dedication are truly an inspiration to us all. In December 2023, Woods reassured reporters at a press conference that he wasn’t done with his career. Whether or not that holds true remains to be seen, but you can’t really go against the beliefs of one of the greatest golfers of all time.

Further Reading for Golf-Based Inspiration

The game of golf and life itself have stories yet to be told — your story, in fact. Tiger Woods quotes offer inspirational words and the courage to overcome whether you want to break 90 or overcome a personal or professional obstacle.

However, Woods isn’t the only voice in the golf world to bestow such confidence on players and people. Golf literature has long been a treasure trove of reason, influence, and encouragement. If you want to push your game or reach a goal, the game of golf certainly has lessons to push you in the right direction. So pick up your favorite book, read a chapter or two, and get your head in the game — whether you play golf or just need some motivational material.

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