Image Analysis- Tiger

an Wilson

English 101+

Analyzing Image

Tiger

            The professional world of golf is completely different now than it was back when it originated.  Golf is even different from ten years ago.  Professional golfers do more than play golf.  They have become walking posters and advertisements.  Most noticeably you might see them hit a good shot or sink a good putt but subconsciously you’re constantly seeing subtle symbols and advertisers names written everywhere. 

This image is an image of 3 golfers, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Adam Scott standing around talking and shaking hands before a round of golf.  Tiger Woods is in the center of the two golfers and the picture.  His whole front is facing the camera and is the main focus of this image.  He is looking at Adam Scott who is to his right but the left side of the picture.  Adam and Tiger are shaking hands; you can see the back and right side of Adam but not his full face.  Phil Mickelson is on Tigers left and on the right side of the picture.  He is standing there kind of in a mirror image of Adam facing both Adam and Tiger.  Like with Adam you can see only his side and back but it is Phil’s left side.  Phil is watching the other two while they shake hands and appear to be laughing together.  Tiger is clearly smiling and laughing while it appears Adam is too but you can’t see his whole face.  Adam and Tiger’s handshake is a little off though.  Tiger is using his right hand like most people would but he is shaking the left hand of Adam Scott.  Maybe the two were in a weird position and maybe that is what they are laughing at.  Or maybe Adam has a weak or sore right hand.

What is most interesting about this photo though is all the advertising that is going on in it.  When looking at Tiger Woods sometimes your looking at him but other times your staring into the heart of a living Nike ad.  Tiger may be the most marketable human being on the planet and Nike is taking full advantage of that.  The Nike swoosh right on the heart of his perfectly fitted shirt.  His hat has the Nike swoosh right in the center of it.  It might be a subtle swoosh but everybody see's it.  Nike has done such a good job dressing Tiger up head to toe every week that people are starting to get just as into "what is Tiger wearing this week" as they are the actual tournament.

Other companies are attempting to compete with Nike's advertising now too, as evident by the other two golfers in the picture.  You can see Callaway Golf written on Phil's sleeve and on the back of his hat.  Adam has Titleist written on the back of his hat.  Also on the side of Adam's hat are the letters FJ which stands for Foot joy, which is another one of his sponsors.  All of these golfers are decked out in advertisements.

These three are the perfect example of how companies use golfers to advertise.  In the background of this picture you can see a glimpse of the hundreds of fans who come out to see these guys, hundreds of people going to watch golf but end up seeing advertisements.  That's not even including the millions watching Tiger on TV and seeing that Nike swoosh.  Today golfers do so much more than just play the game; they sell products.