Promises raise bar for Woods

People will draw their own conclusions on the value of Tiger Woods' first public announcement since revelations of his infidelity emerged. Only time will tell if he can live up to the promises he made before a small gathering yesterday that were televised to the world.

Oldgolfdawg took note that Woods heeded criticisms launched at him by Tom Watson that he needed to show more respect for the game when he returns. That and the fact that Woods isn't rushing back to play on the PGA Tour says a lot. There's no question Woods has been humbled. The fact that even Woods isn't sure when he will return seems to indicate that he is making an honest effort to change his stripes.

If Woods stops slamming clubs and using four-letter words in fits of frustration when he returns, it won't mean he has lost his passion for the game. It will mean he is living up to his promise to be a better role model in the future. Oldgolfdawg pooh-poohed the importance of Woods' showing "proper decorum" on the course in an earlier post, going so far as to suggest that Watson shouldn't get his panties in a bunch over the loose language. Oldgolfdawg sees it in a different light after watching a contrite Woods announce his desire to live the rest of his life with integrity.

Oldgolfdawg used to overlook the language, but Woods' immature behavior on the course in front of millions watching on television was perhaps the canary in the mine shaft warning of trouble. If Woods thought he was too big to worry about following rules of decorum on the course, it only follows he didn't think he had to follow them off the course when no one was looking. And look where that mind-set landed him. Money and fame can be tough to handle.

It's dangerous when we put big-name athletes on pedestals. As a kid growing up, Oldgolfdawg thought Mickey Mantle could do no wrong. But that illusion was dismantled over time as revelations about Mantle's various indiscretions came to light. Mantle made amends for his behavior in the final days of his life, stepping up to the plate and warning kids not to make the same mistakes he did.

Woods can still write a happy ending to his legacy, but he faces a long, hard road. Let's hope yesterday's staged event speeds his journey.