Tiger Woods tells golfing son not to play like him: “Don’t look at me, look at...”
Australian golfer Mark Allen explains how the 15-time major winner insists Charlie should emulate another great of the game.
Tiger Woods has always had his own inimitable style, but when it comes to his son Charlie, he’s encouraging imitation – just not of himself. According to Australian pro Mark Allen, speaking on the Talk Birdie to Me podcast, the 15-time major champion tells 16-year-old Charlie Woods to look elsewhere for inspiration.
“Rory hits it as hard as he can, always hits it straight, and always finishes in balance – that’s the skill I want you to develop,” Allen recalls Woods saying.
Allen was reflecting on a conversation with fellow golfer Nick O’Hern about the importance of balance in the golf swing. “It’s funny,” Allen added. “That advice you give people – it’s exactly the advice Tiger gives his son.”
The duo both agreed that whenever they see Charlie swing, it’s McIlroy’s balance and fluidity that come to mind. “He’s got a Rory look to him,” Allen noted. “Every time I’ve seen him swing, it’s just so balanced.”
Woods has apparently been consistent with the message, even at high-profile events. Allen recalled a moment at the 2022 Hero World Challenge, when the golf legend turned to his son and said: “Don’t copy my swing. Copy Rory’s. Have you ever seen Rory out of balance on a shot?”
Charlie himself seems to have taken that advice to heart. Speaking publicly, he once acknowledged: “One of the things my dad instilled in me is that you should be able to stay balanced and hold the finish until the ball lands and stops.”
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