On Daily Routines, we profile successful leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, executives and athletes to explore their routines, schedules, habits and day in the life.
From the moment he picked up a golf club, Eldrick Tont “Tiger” Woods has been rewriting the history books and inspiring countless fans around the globe. As a World Golf Hall of Fame inductee, Woods has achieved remarkable feats on the golf course and has overcome personal and physical challenges to remain at the top of his game.
But what does the daily life of this extraordinary golfer look like, and how has he built such an impressive and colourful legacy? Let’s delve into Tiger Woods’ daily routine, revisit his beginnings, and explore his unparalleled achievements in the sport of golf.
Born on December 30, 1975, Woods was introduced to golf at a very young age by his father, Earl Woods, a retired US Army officer and avid golfer. With a fierce determination and raw talent, Tiger quickly rose through the ranks, dominating junior, college, and amateur golf circuits before turning professional in 1996 at the age of 20. His meteoric rise to fame began with his record-breaking performance at the 1997 Masters, and he continued to captivate audiences and dominate the sport throughout the first decade of the 21st century.
In 2019, Woods recounted a conversation he had with fellow golfer Justin Thomas about his daily routine during his early days:
JT was asking me this on a flight, “What did you used to do when you were about my age?” Well, I used to get up in the morning, run four miles. Then I’d go to the gym do my lift. Then I’d hit balls for two or three hours. I’d go play. Come back, work on my short game. I’d go run another four more miles. And then if anyone wanted to go and play basketball or tennis, I’d go and play basketball or tennis. That was my daily routine. I’m not doing any of that now.”
Tiger Woods Reveals His Intense Daily Training Routine | Men’s Journal
A few years later, Woods’ former instructor and swing coach Hank Haney spoke to GOLF’s Subpar about the golf legend’s typical training schedule.
“He doesn’t sleep much, he didn’t sleep maybe 4-5 hours a night,” Haney said on the podcast. “So he’s up early, goes to the gym. He’d be in the gym by 6-6:30 in the morning, I’d be rolling out by 8-8:30 when he came back. Then we’d have breakfast and we’d be on the practice tee by 8:45 or 9. Usually, it’s short game first or pitch shots, and then he’d go to the full swing, hit a full swing on the driving range. Then he’d want to play nine holes, we’d go play nine holes. Go eat lunch. Back to the driving range, go hit balls. Go play nine more holes. Go work on the putting. After that, some more short game.”
Haney, who worked with Woods for almost six years, went on to recount an off-day which featured almost as much training and work as a regular day.
“I remember the first time I worked with him we went back to the house around 6 at night, and I went up and take a shower,” Haney recalled. “I go downstairs and he’s in the gym and I said ‘what are we doing?’ and he said, ‘when I’m done with my shoulder exercises we’ll go to dinner.’”
“That was pretty much like it was pretty much every day. So it was a lot, if you count in all the gym time, which I think a lot of time was overdone with Tiger. I remember we were at the Masters and I was like ‘do we really need to go the gym for like three hours? Couldn’t we go for an hour-and-a-half and go practice our putting?’ But that was how it was.”

Despite facing personal and physical setbacks over the decades, Woods displayed remarkable resilience, staging impressive comebacks. In an effort to address marital issues with his then-wife, Elin, Woods voluntarily stepped away from professional golf between December 2009 and early April 2010. He confessed to numerous infidelities, which ultimately led to the dissolution of their marriage. During this tumultuous period, he fell to number 58 in the world rankings in November 2011 before ascending again to the number-one ranking between March 2013 and May 2014.
His injuries also began taking their toll on the golfer. Woods underwent four back surgeries between 2014 and 2017, which significantly impacted his ability to compete at the highest level. Woods participated in only one tournament between August 2015 and January 2018, and he dropped off the list of the world’s top 1,000 golfers.
Despite these setbacks, Woods demonstrated his unwavering determination and dedication to the sport, making steady progress in his return to regular competition. In September 2018, he won his first tournament in five years at the Tour Championship, marking the beginning of his comeback. This triumphant return culminated in his first major victory in 11 years at the 2019 Masters, solidifying his status as one of the most resilient athletes in the history of the sport.
His most recent achievement was his triumphant return to the PGA Tour at the 2022 Masters, after recovering from a serious car accident in 2021 that left him with compound fractures in his right leg and a shattered ankle.
But it is not just his resilience that set Woods apart from the rest of the pack; it is his incredible list of accomplishments that have cemented his place as one of the greatest golfers in history. With 82 official PGA Tour event wins, including 15 major championships, Woods has demonstrated an unparalleled ability to perform under pressure and close out tournaments.
His extraordinary record of 14-1 when entering the final round of a major with at least a share of the lead has earned him the title of “the greatest closer in history” by multiple golf experts. In addition to his performance in majors, Woods has the lowest career scoring average and the largest career earnings of any player in PGA Tour history.
As he continues to compete at the highest level of the sport, Woods’ impact on the world of golf will be felt for generations to come. Behind the scenes, his daily routine exemplifies the dedication, discipline, and resilience that have made him a true icon. From early morning workouts and rigorous practice sessions to spending quality time with family and friends, Tiger Woods’ colourful life and unmatched legacy serve as an inspiration for athletic excellence throughout history.
Before you go…
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