UrbanUpdate

Tiger Woods has had plenty of ups and downs (personally and professionally). So many, in fact, that you could probably write a Mary J. Blige album's worth of songs about having it all and losing it all and getting it all back (only to lose it all again). Based on Woods' recent grooming choices, it seems he's doing just that.

Last night, while taking part in a celebration honoring the 20th year of his namesake charity foundation, Woods sat on stage with wedged between two other distinguished guests—Nike co-founder Phil Knight and journalist Charlie Rose—with what could be referred to as a chin strap. Or maybe it was more of jaw strip. Whatever it was, the thin line of facial follicles connecting his sideburns to his (equally questionable) goatee wasn't doing him any favors. Colloquially called an "R&B lineup" the facial hair move used to be a trusted signature of the men behind your favorite baby-making music. Usher's been known to rock one. R. Kelly too. Early aughts Craig David swore by one.

Listen, men are given so few chances to visually express themselves that we understand the desire to experiment, test out a new look, push boundaries. And while changing up your facial hair is an easy way to get yourself out of a rut, whittling your beard down to a slender isthmus of follicular wizardry is just not the right approach. While we're wary of goatees, we've become open to them as a tonsorial movement, but it's safe to say that we'll hold strong on our disapproval of whatever trail of hair is happening here. (Unless it's followed up with a slow jam about Lindsey Vonn—then we'll let it slide, but just this one time.)

Up Next: The GQ Editor Beard ChallengeMax Berlinger is a freelance writer who's based in Brooklyn, NY. He has written for the New York Times, GQ, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Departures, Robb Report, Town & Country, and many other publications. He's interested in the way fashion and culture overlap. He's probably killing time on Twitter right... Read moreXInstagramRelated Stories for GQTiger WoodsBeards