You know, I played baseball and football in HS and I can certainly understand how steriods provide a competitive advantage. However, I also played competitive golf since age 11 and well...I honestly don't see how performance enhancing drugs are any kind of advantage in this sport. Seriously, I was a skinny 140 lb. 13-year old consistently hitting 285-290 yard drives with a Tony Pena driver (wood mind you) the size of a putter by today's standards. I filled-out another 35 pounds by age 18 and I was only hitting the ball nominally farther. Any real advantage on the course was achieved by my ability to hit straighter, more controlled, drives and know when to pull-out the 3-Wood or 1-Iron; along with better control of irons and learning how to putt.
I really didn't play much golf in my 20s (4-5 times per year) but I was in the gym 3-5 days per week. I honestly don't recall hitting the ball any further with my Tony Pena. I then played even less golf in my 30s, but by that time I was using my dad's or brother's driver-of-the-week killstick (Big Bertha, etc.). Holy Crap! I wasn't even swinging the driver all that well and was still putting them out past 300 yards without too much effort.
I haven't played golf in close to 10-years, but I betcha I could probably hit the ball quite well with my tired, broken body...because the technology is so much better than in years past. I just don't see how steriods are going to help tour players...because golfers generate power differently than in other sports. Now, will it help tour players recover more quickly due to the physical rigors of the game? I don't know, but it appears to be a stretch! Maybe if the players are 35+ or playing each and every week on tour. Then...well, then it may help them step-up to the 1st tee and compete every day - but I personally don't think it will make them a better golfer nor give them any significant advantage over the field. At least that's my two cents.
Now...do I think Tiger Woods took performance enhancing drugs? I think he did just based on his physical appearance and association with the aforementioned Dr. However, I think it was more of a "mental" thing (i.e., I'm Tiger Woods and I have to be bigger, faster and better than you) than it was a competitive advantage. If so, does this mean he cheated? I really don't care...just as long as he admits taking them (if in fact he did) and be done with it. Now if he gets caught lying...well, that's not what golf is all about and he should be summarily whipped and beaten for ungentlemanly conduct.
