Equipment
Tiger to change to a SuperStroke putter grip?
Tiger Woods was spotted practicing Wednesday at the Presidents Cup with a new putter grip on his Nike Method 001 putter, a SuperStroke Ultra Slim 1.0 that is roughly twice the size of his usual putter grip.
SuperStroke’s oversized grips have exploded in popularity on the professional tours in 2013, with Phil Mickelson and Jason Dufner using the company’s Slim 3.0 grip to win the season’s final two majors. The larger-sized grips are thought to help golfers quiet their hands and relieve tension during the stroke, which can improve consistency, particularly on short putts under pressure.
The Ultra Slim grip Woods was spotted using is considerably smaller than the grips used by Mickelson and Dufner (Woods’ grip has a 1.0-inch diameter instead of a 1.3-inch diameter). But any change is a big change for Woods, who has used the same style putter and grip for each of his 14 major championship victories.
Along with being twice as large as Woods’ usual Ping Man putter grip, the new grip is also 6 grams heavier. That will have a slight counterbalancing effect on Woods’ putter, which also can add stability to a golfer’s stroke.
Early in the 2013 PGA Tour season, Woods lead the Tour’s Strokes Gained-putting statistic by a large margin, but he finished the year ranked 22nd. While 2013 marked his best finish in the Strokes Gained-putting statistic since 2009, it’s still well off his performance in the category from 2004 to 2009, a period where he won six major championships.
From 2004 (the year the Tour began tracking Strokes Gained-putting) to 2009, Woods finished 2nd, 9th, 22nd, 3rd, 3rd and 2nd in the category. While Woods’ golf swing change under instructor Sean Foley has been the centerpiece of criticism from golf experts such as Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee, many have pointed to Woods’ putting as one of his key weaknesses in major championships since he returned to the PGA Tour in 2010.
This year, Woods missed several key putts at both the Masters and British Open, where he finished T4 and T6, respectively. He has had few problems with his putter in rounds 1 and 2 of tournaments, averaging 2nd on the Tour in scoring average before the cut. But on the weekends where pressure builds, Woods’ scoring average has been much higher. He ranked 48th in round 3 scoring average this year and 93rd in round 4 scoring average.
Equipment
Putters that never made it: Check out some of the best tour builds that didn’t make the cut
Arguably, the best perk of being a professional golfer on the PGA Tour is the ability to request or even just be handed pretty much any club you could think of. It happens more often than you think, usually with putters around the practice green from one event to the next. Come Wednesday, the Tour bags lining the edge of the putting surface become resting places for fallen flatsticks that never made the cut.
So let’s take a look at some of the best we’ve seen out on Tour this year that never made it to the competition. (You may notice none of Hideki Matsuyama’s custom Scotty Cameron putters made this list. There are too many.)
Let’s start with this custom Damascus Milled Odyssey Rossie made for Ryo Hisatsune. Featuring a single line and the short-slant hossel, we’ve seen plenty of Number 7 and jailbird heads featuring the Damascus Milled insert, but this is the first and only one we’ve spotted in a Rossie. Hisatsune primarily putts with an Odyssey Black Series iX #9, but we have seen him recently with a TaylorMade TP Collection SOTO, so there could be potential that the Damascus Milled Rossie could end up in the bag.
Everyone wants to be Cameron Young right now. We’ve had Justin Thomas and Tom Hoge both game the Scotty Cameron 9.5R prototype. Well, for the PGA Championship, Brooks Koepka nearly joined that list after requesting the same style of putter, with the full-length alignment line. But the Scotty Cameron reps took the request a step further and made one specially for Koepka with a Teryllium insert, similar to one in his previous Newport 2 gamers. The reason why this one didn’t go into play, though? Because it was too heavy.
Harry Hall was the third-best putter on Tour last year, so when Bettinardi made him a custom proto, you know it was going to be good. The custom BB28 blade features VDF face milling, a custom-welded single-bend shaft, and the owner’s initials – HH – on the sole of the putter. Hall, who usually games an Odyssey O-Works #7 W, has dabbled with a TaylorMade Spider Tour X already this year. Maybe there’s a chance this Bettinardi might make his bag.
Honestly, this one doesn’t need a description. It’s Kieth Mitchell’s custom Scotty Cameron Napa. One Scotty Cameron face stamp, two Scotty Dogs, two Scotty Cameron 7-Point Crowns and one Circle T. That is all. Oh, except for the Cashmere Cameron headcover.
Finally, and just for fun, how about we pour one out for this TaylorMade Spider Tour X made for Scottie Scheffler in its new torched finish. It’s unlikely we’ll see a putter change anytime soon from the best golfer in the world. In fact, he hit just two putts with it on the Harbour Town practice before going back to his trusty gamer.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (9 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 130 M.S.I. 70 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 7 X
7-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X
Irons: Grindworks PR-202 (4), Grindworks PR-101A (5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 Tour Rack (52-10 Mid), Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56-08M), SM11 (60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Tour Rat 1.5 Tour Prototype
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
In our forums, our members have been discussing their favorite major winning irons used by Tiger Woods. WRXer ‘golferdude54’ kicks off the thread saying:
“Mizuno MP 14/29. Titleist 681T. Nike Forged Blades. TaylorMade P7TW.
Among these irons that helped Tiger win 15 majors, which is your favorite in terms of looks?”
And our members have been naming their favorites and why in response.
Here are a couple of posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- SwingBlade: “I prefer the early blades he played and the more recent TM TW’s especially because after Tiger had his major behavioral setbacks, part of Nikes support payback was making Tiger play a Nike putter and cease using his beloved uniquely customized Scotty putter.”
- ProjectX: “This (Nike Forged Blades) and there’s not even a close second.”
Entire Thread: “Which of Tiger’s major winning irons are your favorite? – GolfWRXers discuss”
Justin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
RBC Heritage Tour Report: More minis, course-specific setups, Spider & GTS launches
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Nelly Korda WITB 2026 (April)
Justin Rose on the switch to McLaren Golf, learnings from previous equipment moves
Photos from the 2026 PGA Championship
Patrick Reed WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Titleist GT3 (9 degrees) Buy here. Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 130 M.S.I. 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (15 degrees)...
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Driver: TaylorMade M6 (9 degrees) Shaft: Aldilda Synergy Blue 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
Michael Block WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black VeloCore+ 5 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees @14.25) Shaft: Mitsubishi...
Bryson DeChambeau WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Krank Formula Fire Pro (6 degrees) Shaft: Project X Prototype 3-wood: Krank Formula Fire (10 degrees) Shaft: LA Golf BAD...
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Ray
Mar 26, 2014 at 12:47 pm
GEEZ GUYS, how many of you ever won a major let alone 13 ? For all his other foibles, he is still World No. 1 – for a big reason. He’s no dummy; otherwise he would take all the advise left here and be a total whack job.
Ashley
Aug 14, 2014 at 10:54 am
He’s won 14!
davethomas
Apr 8, 2015 at 2:48 pm
he’s not world #1, he’s 111 http://www.owgr.com/en/Ranking.aspx?pageNo=1&pageSize=300&country=All
l_michaels
Oct 15, 2013 at 8:32 am
I don’t agree, read that:
http://cu.odysseyinsider.selfip.com/odyssey-putter-grip-problems.php
Richard Branson
Oct 12, 2013 at 4:34 pm
Not sure if everyone knows this, but Tiger continues to use a PING putter grip no matter what putter he is using.
davethomas
Apr 8, 2015 at 2:47 pm
just like the pictures show right?
8thehardway
Oct 11, 2013 at 2:25 am
With his stroke I think he should try out some Bullseye putters.
Bill Ziegler
Oct 10, 2013 at 9:18 pm
I used a Scotty for many years. Tried a Method 001. If you have not tried it you should. The Method feels so much better. It also has a shallower face than most Scotty’s which really helps with clean contact.
Tiger’s problem is that golf is a hard game. Sometimes putts don’t go in. Be nice to see him play Brandel Chamblee in an 18 hole match play exhibition.
Tiger Woods
Oct 10, 2013 at 1:17 am
I need to try a long putter.
thefullsp
Oct 4, 2013 at 3:55 pm
I have the Nike Method Midnight 006 which Rory ditched with a lime green IOMIC grip. I ditched the Cameron Red X. It rolls the ball incredibly well. Let’s face it putting is all about attitude and confidence. I believe I’m gonna hole every putt and my numbers are way better since the mental change. If the grip gives him a shift in putting perspective, Nike will be ecstatic…
Billy
Oct 3, 2013 at 1:43 pm
Back to the PING grip! Short-lived experiment.
rob
Oct 3, 2013 at 11:47 am
This great is illegal….I can’t missed a putt with my eyeys closed….For the TW haters out there, I hear they are taking a collection to buy the company out and discontinue the grip…More Tiger proofing…Ouch
If he keeps the grip, his putting woes will be over. Mark my word.
trampampam
Oct 3, 2013 at 8:56 am
fantastic grip. I have 3 putters and they’re all with super stroke grips. One with 1.3 and two with 1.0(Rife Island series Trinidad and Mizuno 90 series). All of them feels perfect.
T
Oct 3, 2013 at 8:01 am
must buy stock…
Zachary
Oct 2, 2013 at 11:43 pm
I think it’s more psychological. It’s like how we sometimes think we need minor changes in our clubs from time to time because we think it will help although we know it probably won’t help that much, new things give us confidence. Hope it helps. But the bottom line as always is that “it’s not the arrow it’s the Indian”.
Al.J
Oct 2, 2013 at 11:20 pm
I agree he hasn’t putted nearly as well with the Nike as he did with the Scotty! Definitely a boost for super stroke if he sticks with it and wins!
CairnsRock
Oct 2, 2013 at 7:32 pm
I remember him using a Ping in his early days with the white PING letters on the grip which he had blacked out.
Cameron
Oct 2, 2013 at 7:26 pm
Bust out the Scotty again!!!
Jim Brooks
Oct 2, 2013 at 6:26 pm
Love You Tiger, ALWAYS HAVE… ALWAYS WILL ; ))) It’s NOT the putter grip that needs to be replaced… it’s a HUGE “boost” in the confidence level! It’s deffinitely 70% of the PUTTING GAME ; ))! If a change in grip can do that and create the “spark” needed… then do it by ALL MEANS my friend ; )))! Personally, inside 6 feet, don’t even give the ball a “chance” to THINK(break)… just FIRM, Dead Center of the Hole ; ))! That’s the stroke that made him… WHO he is today… he just has to find it again ; ))! You Can Do IT Tiger ; ))!
Jack
Oct 3, 2013 at 2:27 am
maybe changing the grip will help his confidence. Plus his putting is still way better than us. He just wants to make everything. A change could help regardless of it’s true effects.
kevin smith
Oct 2, 2013 at 5:51 pm
Hopefully trying a bit more of a Stricker motion, less timing of the right hand release…. Big muscles
moses
Oct 2, 2013 at 5:38 pm
WOW!!!! How about just using something that’s always worked. The one that won 13 majors?
Zeke
Oct 2, 2013 at 5:35 pm
They banned the anchored putter (wrongly) because it doesn’t look right. These fatter grips certainly don’t look traditional. The founding fathers didn’t envision using fat grips to putt with, either. The anchored putter has been used a lot longer than these fat grips. BAN THEM TOO!!!
Anthony Maccioli
Oct 3, 2013 at 12:50 am
Pretty sure they were not banned because they don’t look right.
Ashley
Aug 14, 2014 at 11:02 am
Do you think they should ban everything that makes you play better? In that case they should ban having lessons and cavity back iron and hybrids and low compression balls!! Get a grip man it’s a rubber handle,
Barry
Oct 2, 2013 at 4:13 pm
yeeeees!i have this exact same grip on my odyssey metal-x #8 putter!!Tiger – take it from me- it’s good!
JumboDebt
Oct 2, 2013 at 3:44 pm
He may be only experimenting with this. Didn’t he use a Ping Anser originally? Then Titleist, his equipment sponsor at the time came up with these Scotty Camerons that are really just copies of that Ping original design. But he is a tinkerer. As long as he doesn’t tinker himself out of contention. Putting is the most personal of all golf shots. Lose confidence there and it can ruin your entire game… But he is Tiger Woods. I’d say, “Don’t try this at home kids.”
Jimmy Ray
Oct 2, 2013 at 3:31 pm
The sales VP at Tigershark/SuperStroke just put a deposit on Tiger’s yacht…
Billy
Oct 2, 2013 at 3:29 pm
Good for him, hope it works out!
wcavanau
Oct 2, 2013 at 3:24 pm
Was there today and noticed that he had that grip. Only saw him on 18 and he made about a 4ft for par after coming up short of the green.
Spitty
Oct 2, 2013 at 3:03 pm
just cut to the chase Tiger and get a 38 inch daddy long legs putter.
Scott
Oct 2, 2013 at 3:02 pm
Tiger’s putting hasn’t been the same since he took his Scotty Cameron out of the bag. Nike has tried in every way to duplicate the same Cameron putter that Tiger used to win every major but to no avail.
To make Nike happy Tiger should just do what many Tour pros do, find what you can play well then have your equipment sponsor stick it’s name on it or leave it blank and put a Nike cover on it. For many of us it’s been comical to watch Nike try to make a putter like Tiger’s trusty Cameron
Kyle
Oct 2, 2013 at 7:54 pm
So earlier in the year when he was making everything must have been luck? Good logic. Go try his putter and then try making that statement. You wouldn’t.
Jack
Oct 3, 2013 at 2:25 am
Putter making isn’t some kind of black magic mystery, and Scotty’s are the only good putters out there.
gert heskel
Oct 3, 2013 at 5:39 am
I agree with you 100% Scott.
kevin
Oct 2, 2013 at 3:00 pm
i don’t think its grip issue. more like the nike method putterhead. the thing putts terribly. probably has something to do with the face on that model. tiger should go back to his old cameron’s.
Kyle
Oct 2, 2013 at 7:53 pm
You are terribly informed. The method putts the best roll on a ball in golf. Not even an argument. He’s been using it for 3 years it’s not like he’s not used to the thing. Get over him using a nike putter.
Gmatt
Oct 3, 2013 at 12:05 pm
No argument? LOL I can provide a bunch, get over the Method love, regardless of what putter he uses, they are all different coming off the face
Bill
Oct 3, 2013 at 10:51 pm
Maybe he should go back to Titleist too? Good thing he’s not asking for your advice. Tiger won’t use anything that he doesn’t feel will improve his chances to win.
Mike
Oct 14, 2013 at 7:58 am
Disagree. I play the Nike Method 006 and the ball rolls very true. I’ve made more putts with that putter than any flat stick including the Scotty I had, which I sold. TW is messing around with SS, that’s all. The winning Prez Cup putt was made with his Ping grip. Scotty makes a darn good putter, but they are overrated and at $400 a pop, forget it. Truth be told putters are all about feel. If you need proof ask Jim Furyk who won 11M a few years ago winning the Fed Ex Cup and Tour Championship with a putter that cost $39. Case closed.
Mike
Oct 2, 2013 at 2:57 pm
about time he took my advice…
Conrad
Oct 2, 2013 at 2:45 pm
just an amazing grip. sorta surprised to seeing him trying it but not really…
Kyle
Oct 2, 2013 at 7:49 pm
Ditch the putter? What does the putter have to do with a poor stroke he has had over the last month? Get over him having a nike putter
Kyle
Oct 2, 2013 at 7:50 pm
Oops wrong reply haha ^
misanthrope
Oct 2, 2013 at 2:42 pm
he is a feel putter – ditch that putter and go back to feel, has nothing to do with the grip, ball comes off the face too hot and he has become mechanical as a result. The 1.0 superstroke has no impact on eliminating the wrists, its basically a midsize, edel has been using round grips for a reason and this is the most readily available mimic of it. The above post about more feedback is counter-intuitive because the grip is thicker and the artificial winn type outer – its actually more dampening, not going to find much more feedback than those skinny old pings unless you go to a pro only old schooler.
Kyle
Oct 2, 2013 at 7:50 pm
Ditch the putter? What does the putter have to do with a poor stroke he has had over the last month? Get over him having a nike putter
Cannon
Oct 2, 2013 at 10:35 pm
Sounds like he’s saying the face is hotter than the Cameron, leading to inconsistency with speed since he has to use a shorter stroke or slower than he was used to with his classic anser/Cameron style.
Bill
Oct 3, 2013 at 10:48 pm
Gee, I never heard that or do you know him personally or maybe you’re a teaching pro. That must be it!
tbowles411
Oct 2, 2013 at 1:29 pm
I figure, what the heck? It improved my putting, and his putting is a heck of a lot better than mine.
Mike
Oct 2, 2013 at 1:18 pm
Absolutely love that grip. Have one on each of my 3 putters. Great feel, feedback, and really gives you confidence in the stroke. Hope it works out for Tiger. Would love to see him do well in the President’s Cup.
Jeff
Oct 2, 2013 at 1:18 pm
SuperStroke is GEEKED!
mitch
Oct 2, 2013 at 1:16 pm
glad to see tiger messing around with his putter which is probably the only thing that he has kept constant the last few years and prevented him from winning a major.
TWshoot67
Oct 2, 2013 at 1:04 pm
Wow didn’t see that coming, but hey if it helps Tiger get back to putting how he use to then great! I still think he should go bak to old faithful but I guess only time will tell. I mean if his putter worked like Tiger days gone by like in 2001-05, then he could have easily had 2-3 more wins this past season. The putter has really held him back from what use to be automatic good from 10′ and in.