Tiger Woods remains away from competitive golf following his Achilles surgery in March, marking his 14th major operation. During this period, his former caddie Steve Williams revealed a surprising insight into Woods’ playing strategy involving an adrenaline-driven yardage adjustment.

Although Woods is currently sidelined, he has been spotted supporting his 16-year-old son, Charlie, at recent events like the Nicklaus Junior Championship in Tequesta, Florida, where Charlie placed sixth among 122 players. Woods appeared frail with a grey beard and slender frame but continues to be actively involved in his son’s golf development, celebrating Charlie’s first AJGA win in Bowling Green earlier this year.

How Adjusted Yardages Played a Role in Tiger Woods’ Performance

On a recent episode of GOLF’s Subpar podcast, Steve Williams shared how he routinely provided Woods with inaccurate yardages during tournaments. This tactic was designed to manage Woods’ adrenaline spikes, which influenced the distance he could hit the ball.

Williams explained,

“The one thing I always noticed for Tiger when he was running a little warm is the adrenaline that he would get going,”

noting that Woods became quicker in his movements and speech under these conditions.

To capitalize on this effect, Williams admitted to frequently increasing the yardage he communicated to Woods.

“I could tell that when the adrenaline was going, he would walk quicker, he would talk quicker. Everything became a bit quicker,”

he said.

“The biggest thing I did was adjust the yardages all the time. I mean I was constantly doing that. You know, if it was 160 yards and it’s a 9-iron, I’d be telling him it’s 170 or something.”

This intentional misdirection helped Woods harness the extra power from his adrenaline surge.

“I’d be adjusting the yardages so often because he just got the adrenaline going and ball started going further and further,”

Williams added.

Managing the Intensity of Tiger Woods’ Adrenaline During Competitions

Williams also revealed that on par-three holes, he sometimes inflated the distance to temper Woods’ adrenaline-driven intensity, telling him a shot was longer than it actually was.

“Even on par-threes, Williams admitted telling Tiger a six-iron distance as a seven-iron to keep him in check. He admitted it took courage.”

Reflecting on a memorable experience, Williams recalled a final round at Bay Hill where he never gave Woods the exact yardage.

“I had to be extremely aware of that and I got a very good handle on that, to the point where I can recall one round at Bay Hill in the final round of one of his victories there,”

Williams said.

He continued,

“I didn’t give him the right yardage – the correct yardage – on any shot for the entire round… I did that so often when he got running hot and got the adrenaline going.”

Williams noted that Woods eventually recognized this strategy and trusted his judgment.

“Yeah. It took him a while to (figure it out). I can’t remember or pinpoint exactly when he asked me something about it. He said, ‘Just keep doing it. You know what you are doing,’”

Williams recalled.

Tiger Woods’ Ongoing Influence and Future Prospects

Despite his absence from active competition due to his recent surgery, Woods’ legacy continues through both his past performances and his involvement in supporting his son’s burgeoning golf career. Steve Williams’ revelation sheds light on the unique mental and physical strategies behind Woods’ sustained success, especially how managing adrenaline played a crucial role in his play.

As Woods recovers, fans remain hopeful about his eventual return, while the knowledge of his adrenaline yardage secret adds a new layer of appreciation for his many victories. Meanwhile, Charlie Woods’ rising path in junior golf offers promise of the Woods family’s enduring impact on the sport.