What's in a swear?

Tiger Woods' recent outbursts at the Open Championship two weeks ago sparked another debate concerning Tiger's oncourse antics and, in general, swearing in golf. At times it looks very pathetic and childish. After a bad tee shot on the 11th during his 3rd round, Eldrick was heard saying "mother ******."

Spitting on a green, kicking a club 10 yards and muttering "f**kin bulls**t" to himself after missing a putt, are just some of the things Tiger has done this year that were captured on live television. I will never forget Tiger's faux pas back in 2006. In a post-round interview after failing to retain his green jacket, Tiger gave the media his reason for his poor play: "I putted like a spaz." Uh oh!!!

I think I understand the reason why Tiger does these things. He is angry. Maybe, on a subconscious level, he uses this technique to demonstrate to viewers that he has very high expectations and expects better of himself. Fair enough I guess.

Question time. If people do not understand your language, does that make it alright to swear? For example, there is a video on YouTube of Ernie Els after he as he reacts to a bad golf shot. "Ah pull it you doos. Get lucky please," he says. Apparently "doos" is as bad as saying a derogatory four letter English word. You fill in the blanks ... c_ _ t. Francesco Totti, speaking on Italian television after Italy won the 2006 World Cup, was wound up by captain Fabio Cannavaro. Totti called Cannavaro a "bucchin" which is a rude Italian slang word. However to the English speaking viewer we could just laugh at these instances and let them go. Does this make it okay? What if Tiger, at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro (remember that Portuguese is the dominant language), called his golf ball a c _ _ t?

Personally, I would never swear in front of my team manager or spectators during an interclub match. But I would if I was playing by myself. You need to be careful. This does not just apply in sports but also in all aspects of life.

 How many of you do not swear in front of your parents but are inclined to when chatting with your mates over a beer? A lot of you I imagine. I guess it helps to be accepted by your peers, but swearing on television while a worldwide audience looks on who, importantly, can understand what you are saying, does not help your image.

I believe that there is a time and a place where you can show your true emotions without offending anyone. For Tiger, that means taking on a more passive approach when playing golf. Unfortunately the cameras are forever present.