by Hank Haney
First published 2012
Hank Haney received the call that changed everything in March 2004. Tiger Woods wanted him as his coach. For six years, Haney spent 110 days annually with the golf superstar, staying at his home, traveling to tournaments, and witnessing both brilliance and struggle. Tiger collected six major championships during their partnership, but Haney discovered the man behind the icon was far more complex than anyone imagined. The champion's fear of "the big miss" drove Haney to redesign his swing mechanics entirely. Yet Tiger's personality presented an even greater challenge. He kept people at distance through calculated emotional barriers, treating even his coach and family with careful detachment. As their relationship progressed, Tiger's focus began to waver. He showed less commitment to grueling practice sessions and developed strange fascinations with military training. The scandal that erupted in late 2009 blindsided Haney completely. Despite his efforts, he couldn't prevent Tiger from experiencing his own version of the big miss that had always terrified him on the golf course.
Genres: sports, non-fiction, biography-memoir
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, mentor-mentee
262 pages · Hardcover · Crown Archetype
Content warnings: depression, mental-illness