Equipment
Tiger spotted testing new driver shaft at St. Andrews
Tiger Woods was spotted testing a new driver shaft during a practice round at St. Andrews, site of the upcoming 2015 Open Championship.
From what we can discern in the photo posted in the forums, he’s testing a Matrix TP7HDe. Sources say the shaft is an X-Flex that weighs 78 grams un-cut and measures 44.5 inches in overall length with no tipping.
Most recently at The Greenbrier Classic — where he finished T32 — Woods had a Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana Blue Board Prototype 70X shaft in his Nike Vapor Speed Prototype driver.
Related
Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game.
The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag.
At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.
The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.
“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley
In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.
To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.
“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod
An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.
Pricing & Availability
The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026.
In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:
“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly.
My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”
And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
- MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
- dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”
Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.
From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo. 4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades. 5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft. Standard Length, Lie and Lofts. These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me. Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Sargio_Gercia
Jul 17, 2015 at 3:03 pm
Cut the driver down to about 40 inches 🙂
Smile a little and actually mean it
Be nice to people
Exhibit gratitude
You can only blame circumstance for so long in your life
Chill the funk out
Then just grip it and rip it…
Brian
Jul 22, 2015 at 1:52 pm
Agreed. Be genuine. I think Tigers dad created a winner, but not a Champion (Think Jack Nicklaus arm around Tom Watson after Tom won at Turnberry in 77, honestly happy for Tom). If Tiger never wins another tournament, but becomes a great father to his children, he will have acheived success.
Pingback: Tiger Spotted Testing a MATRIX Shaft at The Open - D'Lance GolfD'Lance Golf
Bar
Jul 15, 2015 at 1:13 pm
Could be wrong but the last time he won at St Andrews he never hit a wood all week. What makes him think he needs to change now .
JT
Jul 15, 2015 at 5:30 pm
He said publicly a few days ago that the course is completely different from the last time he played it, and conditions are softer requiring more carry shots, so even more important to hit quality tee shots.. you probably are wrong about never hitting a wood and winning the British open..
Dunn2500
Jul 15, 2015 at 2:22 am
I am not a huge woods fan but funny to me how people who will never be near his status can comment about him……stick a camera in your face every second of every day and see how you would react……have all these reporters talk trash on you and see how you would treat them…..none of you have an ounce of his golfing ability but you have audacity to critique his golf game ( and you can’t even break 90)…..he is human and has made same mistakes everyone here has but he is less than you?…….have the media publicize all your dirty laundry and see how well you take it…….nobody here knows how to do what he has done both good and bad in front of whole world and still be standing……..my guess is 99% would have folded like Appalachian lawn chair in any of his successes or failures. …….that’s why he is who he is……..I am not a huge fan of woods but I have respect for what he has done and had to go through while the whole world is watching. ……I know I couldn’t have done it…….as far as his golf game I can’t comment as he is far better than me so really what could I possibly have to say ……I shot 80 today with dbl and a trple……pretty sure he would have wiped my a$% had he been there playing in my group, lol
ooffa
Jul 15, 2015 at 10:03 am
I dunno, Would he have to give you strokes? Sounds like you would have beat him pretty badly and taken him for a few presses as well.
Skip
Jul 15, 2015 at 1:16 pm
Well said.
FTWPhil
Jul 16, 2015 at 3:19 pm
You wasted a lot of strokes on ………….’s
FergMan
Jul 14, 2015 at 3:12 pm
Tiger Woods is Golf, people. The hardcore fan may not give a damn but the weekend hacker who watches major tourneys only wants the headlines which is Tiger Woods. I can’t wait to follow every shot come Thursday morning and if you have a problem with all the headlines, simply avoid clicking on the story. You searched and came here and read the article so quit hating. We’ll see you all when his reign of terror on tour returns. He is too great to not come back.
Cyd
Jul 15, 2015 at 7:12 pm
Tigger is not golf. The game is bigger than eldrick. You sir are a maroon!
FTWPhil
Jul 16, 2015 at 3:12 pm
Last time I checked we have the freedom to express our opinions without the need to qualify ourselves as experts of anything except our thoughts. So deal with that before you jump on your high horse. The world has vast amounts of perception that differs from your life experiences, and sometimes they can be enlightening. So accept the fact that we all don’t feel the way you do.
P.S. Anything to help him win is good.
ooffa
Jul 13, 2015 at 7:19 pm
He should just test out a senior flex shaft and be done with it. He’ll never win on the regular tour again anyway.
Mat
Jul 13, 2015 at 7:39 pm
yeah, like you’ve ever won anything great. Troll.
ooffa
Jul 18, 2015 at 5:09 pm
See, told ya so. Another missed cut at the Open. It’s not trolling if you’re right.
Booger
Jul 13, 2015 at 11:29 am
Who cares. I’m sick of the fake smile on all his press photos. Miss the cut so I can enjoy watching this weekend !!
Josh
Jul 13, 2015 at 2:22 pm
If so sick of him why click the link to a story about him?
Mat
Jul 13, 2015 at 7:41 pm
hey Booger Troll, stop complaining and lets see u make a title of an article here
Ballstrikka
Jul 12, 2015 at 11:38 pm
Phil Pickleson would. Sergio Garcia would. Just face it, Eldrick hates his fan base and treats them accordingly. Live a little and splurge on a PGA Tour ticket and watch his behavior towards young fans and kids that show up dressed like him. He all but ignores them and can be quite rude. His attitude at his own tourney location in Los Angeles was atrocious and left a lot to be desired. This, and how he dumped his family is WHY the reactions are the way they are. This is what he signed up for, so he
has to weather the ^@*t storm at every turn of his life until his retirement day on the Senior errrrrrr,
Champions Tour. More than a handful of us will not be won back with a simple flash of his pearly whites and tip of his cap. Feeling sorry for THIS guy, uhhhhhh, no and *@ll no!
Cyd
Jul 15, 2015 at 7:13 pm
+1000
FTWPhil
Jul 16, 2015 at 3:16 pm
and 1
Chuck
Jul 12, 2015 at 3:15 pm
My gosh; it occurs to me that any other player on the PGA Tour could demo a new driver, a new driver shaft, a new putter — whatever — and the general reaction might be interest in the new equipment, curiosity about what the player is looking for technically, and maybe even whether they should try that product themselves.
I see a lot of the reactions here, and I actually have some sympathy for Tiger.
It is personal to Tiger, right? Is there any other player who would get this reaction?
Ballstrikka
Jul 12, 2015 at 1:57 pm
While he’s at it, let’s test some new “putting” strokes! My friends, this guy has become pedestrian at best from 6-12 feet. He’s pulled his whatever generation golf shoes out of retirement, let’s dust off
the 2000 putting stroke too.
Greg
Jul 12, 2015 at 1:53 pm
Might help him shoot 75 instead of 80????.
JuNiOR
Jul 12, 2015 at 12:51 pm
Indian or Arrow?
Jeff
Jul 13, 2015 at 2:55 am
Oh dude. That’s racist.
Lane
Jul 13, 2015 at 9:26 am
It is the Indian, not the arrows. And if you seriously think is racist you need to get a life.
other paul
Jul 14, 2015 at 8:03 am
Is it the white guy or the rifle….? Less racist? Or equally racist?
FTWPhil
Jul 16, 2015 at 3:18 pm
Yeah, we all know Indians use fake American names at customer service call centers, not arrows.
Christosterone
Jul 12, 2015 at 10:06 am
It’s an aertech fairway wood shaft….can’t believe people are not seeing that.
It is hard to believe Tiger would play a $59 shaft but that’s what it is:
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=351442201471&globalID=EBAY-US
-Christosterone
Chuck
Jul 12, 2015 at 3:21 pm
I would love it if this were actually true.
MHendon
Jul 14, 2015 at 12:43 am
No its a Matrix
Jonzone
Jul 15, 2015 at 1:17 am
Correct. Matrix Ozik TP7HD
Dan Nichele
Jul 14, 2015 at 4:47 am
Yeah cos the guy taking the photo and talking to tour reps knows less than you about what’s in tigers bag. Tool.
Matto
Jul 12, 2015 at 4:35 am
I hope he’s just testing it with no intention of using it. 3wood all the way at St. Andrews please, Tiger!
Dude
Jul 12, 2015 at 12:29 am
What happened to the AD-DI? He should go back to that.
Jeff*
Jul 12, 2015 at 12:11 am
Every half inch that comes off that driver, he hits it straighter. He’s absolutely my golf hero but I think he chases numbers he think he needs to be relevant and the numbers, spin rate, club head speed, smash factor, the numbers have nothing to do with fixing a fault when he’s nervous, facing pressure.
His club specs are for perfect conditions in a launch bay, for maximum ball-speed, every time he sacrifices “potential” or “hypothetical” club head speed, for control, by trimming his driver down closer to the length of his other 13 clubs, he hits it better and better.
His swing looks oily sweet and smooth on the range, if he ever did have the guts to put a 43.5″ steel shaft on that Vapor Driver, even painted like graphite, he’d be world #1 again in a few months.
Kyle
Jul 11, 2015 at 9:09 pm
Looked fine to me at greenbrier.
Jim
Jul 11, 2015 at 9:24 pm
I have a broken watch that is right twice a day too.
Pat M
Jul 12, 2015 at 10:40 am
What is he ranked? 215th in the world? Journeyman golfer.
Kyle
Jul 12, 2015 at 11:14 am
Just a brutal reply. Swing changes take time.
Slimeone
Jul 11, 2015 at 8:04 pm
Apparently it features space-age new anti-left/anti-right/anti-yip technology.