Tiger Woods Coaches

Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods is one of the most renowned golfers in history. Born on December 30, 1975, in Cypress, California, he was a standout amateur, winning 21 titles between 1984 and 1996. He turned professional in 1996 and had his first pro win at the Las Vegas Invitational (now the Shriners Children's Open). As of February 2025, he has won 110 professional tournaments, including 15 major championships.

Woods' 82 PGA Tour wins tie him with Sam Snead for the most in history. Between 1997 and 2013, he dominated the sport, winning multiple PGA Tour Player of the Year awards, leading the Money List, and earning several Vardon Trophy and Byron Nelson Awards. Woods first reached No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) in June 1997 and held the top spot for a record 683 weeks. He was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019 and was honored in the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2021.

Who are Tiger Woods' coaches?

Tiger Woods was coached by Butch Harman, Hank Haney, Sean Foley, and Chris Como between 1993 and 2017. However, since working with Como, he hasn't had an official swing coach as of February 2025, according to the Bunkered.

Woods' high school coach was Don Crosby at Western High School. His first coach was Butch Harmon (1993-2004), who helped him win 34 PGA Tour events (26.8% win percentage) and eight majors in 24 starts.

Woods increased his winning rate to 33.3% with Hank Haney (2004–2010) by winning 31 PGA Tour titles in 93 events and six majors in 23 starts. Under Sean Foley (2010-2014), he won eight PGA Tour titles in 55 events (14.5%). Between 2014 and 2017, with Chris Como, he had no PGA Tour wins in 15 events and missed eight majors. (via NBC Sports)

Butch Harmon (1993-2004)

Butch Harmon, who spent 11 years with Woods, is widely regarded as one of the greatest golf coaches of his time. Under Harmon, Woods had his best performances, including winning three consecutive US Amateur titles and clinching eight majors as a professional, including the Tiger Slam in 2000 and 2001.

Harmon has also coached Ernie Els, Fred Couples, Davis Love III, Greg Norman, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Rickie Fowler. He is a former professional and the son of Claude Harmon Sr., the 1948 Masters Tournament winner. Further, according to Bunkered, Harmon also appears as an analyst on Sky Sports Golf.

Hank Haney (2004-2010)

During the six years that Hank Haney and Woods were together, Tiger's swing became flatter and he had less wristlock, i.e., less bending of the wrist during the backswing. However, he was Woods' second-most successful coach after Butch Harmon, given that Woods won six majors during his tenure. They parted ways after the 2010 Players Championship, and Haney retired from coaching.

Haney also coached Mark O'Meara, a two-time major winner. Later, he published "The Big Miss: My Years Coaching Tiger Woods," a book that drew criticism for disclosing private information that violated the player-coach rule. (via the Golf Monthly)

Sean Foley (2010-2014)

Under Sean Foley's coaching, Woods' distance was increased and he became a fade-bias player, which allowed the ball to fly from left to right. Foley has also coached Justin Rose, Lee Westwood, Stephen Ames, Danny Willett, Sean O'Hair, Hunter Mahan, and Seung-Yul Noh.

In August 2014, following Woods' injury, the two parted ways amicably. Woods stated (via the Golf Monthly):

"With my next tournament not until my World Challenge event at Isleworth in Orlando, this is the right time to end our professional relationship."

According to Foley, collaborating with Woods was "one of the highlights of my career so far." He added:

"I have nothing but admiration and respect for him."

Chris Como (2014-2017)

Before working with Tiger Woods, Chris Como was not a very well-known coach. However, during his three-year tenure, Woods was plagued with injuries and health issues. Como has a degree in biomechanics and is thus criticized by a few for being way too technical, as per the Golf Monthly. Como has also coached Aaron Baddeley, Jamie Lovemark, Trevor Immelman, Jason Day, Xander Schauffele, and Bryson DeChambeau. Before becoming the director of instruction at Dallas National Golf Club, Como worked at Gleneagles Country Club (via Golf Monthly).

Woods formally announced their split in December 2017. They had an amicable split as Woods said via Golf.com:

“Since my fusion surgery, I have been working hard to relearn my own body and golf swing. I’ve done this by primarily relying on my feel and previous years of hard work with Chris. I’m grateful to Chris Como for his past work, and I have nothing but respect for him."

Further, Como told Golf.com that he will remain a "close friend and resource" to Woods.