How Tiger Can Get His Swing Swag Back in 2010

Tiger Woods lost both his swing and his swag in 2009, as we saw him fall from being one of the most admired men in America to becoming the poster child for sexual promiscuity. I don't believe that Tiger deserved such a label, because like the rest of us, he is a complex being with many good attributes to complement the bad ones. Also, how would you look if all of your ex-lovers were put on television? I thought so.

But the world is going to have its perceptions, and a public image can typically be an either/or sort of thing. Either you are damn near perfect, or you are the most flawed human being in the history of the world. That can work to your detriment or your advantage, depending on how you play it.

But the goal for Tiger Woods in 2010 goes deeper than his public image. On his birthday, I offer that it is really about his own self-perception, his personal sense of optimism and the simple act of regaining the focus and confidence that got him to where he is right now. He is the greatest golfer in the history of all mankind, attacking golf legends with the speed and force of a runaway freight train. He is only four majors away from breaking a record that was once considered unbreakable (the record of 18 majors, held by Jack Nicklaus), and I would hate to see him lose his quest for a lifelong objective.

Here's what I'd like to see from Tiger Woods when it comes to finding ways to regain both his swing and his swag in 2010:

1) Keep playing golf: Tiger Woods quitting golf is like the most beautiful woman in the world cutting her face off. If Tiger is not sinking putts and winning tournaments, he is just another athlete who cheated on his wife. Additionally, missing next season would cause him to miss a critical opportunity to inch closer to the 18-major record of Jack Nicklaus. In an unusual season, three of the four courses where majors are being played just happen to be courses that Tiger has dominated in the past. He has the opportunity to make 2010 one of the greatest seasons in the history of golf. What better way to reclaim his dominance than to go out and murder the field like no one has ever seen? Tiger has got to get on the golf course next year, no matter what it takes.

2) Reshape the image and keep making your paper: While Tiger has earned more than $100 million dollars per year being a squeaky clean choir boy, he can still earn just as much money by being a little bit of a bad boy. There are quite a few athletes and celebrities known for their imperfections who get plenty of endorsement opportunities. Beyond the squeaky clean Tiger, there is also the Killer Tiger; the one who conquers everything in his path (including women, I guess). That version of Tiger can also sell, since America may end up respecting Tiger more than they actually like him.

3) Remember that there is no substitute for Tiger Woods: When Tiger plays, America watches. The PGA Tour loses its financial soul when Tiger Woods leaves the golf course. You can't replace that with a thousand Phil Mickelsons (some readers may not even know who Mickelson is, which proves my point exactly). Additionally, there is no way of escaping the fact that Tiger Woods is the greatest golfer the world has ever seen (yes, I keep saying it, because it is fundamentally true). There is no competitor for No. 1, and there really is no No. 2, 3 or 4. This is Tiger's world, and no amount of infidelity is going to change that. Tiger and his team surely understand this reality, so I encourage Tiger to get his butt out there and keep kicking the butts of others.

4) Keep your head up: While Tiger's popularity has plummeted among white Americans, black folks still have a favorable opinion of Woods. According to a recent CNN poll, only 28 percent of White Americans view Woods favorably, while that number is 66 percent for African Americans. Once again, Tiger Woods has become a racially polarizing figure, reflecting the divergent realities of whites and blacks in America. All the while, it doesn't matter what anyone thinks about Tiger: He's already insanely rich, and he doesn't need anyone to pay the bills. Tiger should hold his head up high and be proud of his achievements. Don't let the madness drive you mad Tiger, you're too sharp for that.

I have a feeling that the real Tiger Woods is going to show up in 2010. This is the greatest battle he's ever faced, and I believe that he's going to win this one with flying colors. The drama of recent weeks is going to make a great segment to his (previously dull) life story, leading to an interesting blockbuster film 20 years from now. But the film is only going to be interesting if Tiger gives us the comeback story we need him to provide. Go get 'em Tiger, get your swag back!