But it was his confidence to declare that he can hit any shot required "on call' that gives the best indication that this comeback could finally be the one.
Woods was supposed to resume his playing career at the Safeway Open in September, but just three days after signing up, he withdrew because he said his game was "vulnerable".
That has been a lingering problem for Woods. He recovered well enough from multiple knee and back surgeries, but couldn't move past his mental demons. He refused to play unless he was 100 per cent confident in every aspect of his game.
Now, it seems he is.
"I'm ready to go. I have way more shots now, because I've played way more golf. I only had a handful of shots back then," 40-year-old Woods said of his aborted first comeback.
"Yes I'm nervous about what's going to happen but it's good to be that way.
"It was a smart decision not to rush this comeback. The competitor inside me wanted to return so badly, I was itching for it, but I finally decided: why rush? Let's wait a little more and get this one right."
Changes in equipment are also noteworthy for the man who made Nike a golfing brand.
The sporting giants ditched all their golf manufacturing aside from clothing, so Woods had to change.
This week, he'll hit a Taylor Made driver, the same as current world No. 1 Jason Day, and a Bridgestone ball in the Bahamas.
"The golf ball is the most important club in the bag ... It's a lot of testing," Woods said.
Woods, who spent a record 683 weeks atop the world rankings, conceded that the game was never going to be as easy as it was, and that he had to work hard if he wanted to become competitive once more.
"I also was discussing that today with 'Rosey' (Justin Rose) and he also says he needs to spend upwards of an hour and a half in the gym before he tees-up each day of a tournament given he's now 36 years of age," Wood said.
"It's been the same deal with me and long before I was out injured for this long period.
"We all agreed we missed the times early in our careers when you could just turn up, grab your equipment and just go out and hit a 300-yard drive.
"I can't do that anymore as I'm at an age where it takes time to prepare as I've had like three knee surgeries and also the operations on my back."
No-one came second to Woods in his heyday more than South African Ernie Els - runner-up to him seven times. Els designed the course they'll play on this week and said he hoped Woods' mental game was in order more than anything.
"The physical side is not an issue. It's the other side that's an issue, whatever is blocking him," Els said.
"But you've got to get on the horse. You can't be standing on the sidelines. You've got to get out there. Hopefully, he plays well, really, for his own goodness... his own mental sake."
