Equipment
Spotted: Tiger Woods testing a TaylorMade Ardmore 3 putter (updated w/ in-hand pics)
Using the Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS, which he’s won 13-of-14 majors with in his career, Tiger Woods is 89th in Strokes Gained: Putting in 2018. He’s also T37 (28.59) in putts per round and 118th in Total Putting. Not good.
With putting stats that poor midway through the season, it’s no wonder why Tiger was spotted on Tuesday at the 2018 Quicken Loans National testing out a new putter; it’s a TaylorMade TP Black Copper Ardmore 3. This is also one of the few times throughout his career that Tiger is testing a mallet putter, or a putter with an insert. From the photos, it appears Tiger has 2.5 gram weights on the toe and heel sole ports.
Check out photos below of the Ardmore 3 putter, and click here for more photos and discussion.
Click here for more photos and discussion.
Listen below for further speculation on Tiger’s testing.
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
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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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Peter Boz
Jul 21, 2018 at 11:15 pm
Does not matter which putter he uses. His career is over. I heard he may join the Navy Seals after all.
sandy1966
Aug 5, 2018 at 8:29 pm
I agree new putter will never help, maybe he should try Web.com tour…
Ryan Michael
Jun 28, 2018 at 10:32 pm
Only Tiger knows what is best for Tiger but if anybody here has 15 plus majors I’m sure he’ll be glad to take your advice!
faq
Jun 28, 2018 at 3:40 pm
HALLELUJAH !!!! Tiger been resurrected!!!! Praise be to TM Ardmore 3 !!!!
orangeology
Jun 28, 2018 at 1:28 pm
as of 120pm Thu, TT just confirmed that the Scotty is in the bag. it was a TM marketing gesture after all. #scottyorbust
orangeology
Jun 28, 2018 at 1:33 pm
never mind, my bad misleading. TT meant Don Cameron himself. not the putter. he seems with the mallet.
Kevin Arnold
Jun 27, 2018 at 9:14 pm
It’s the Twin Pod Cloud Car…..Empire Strikes Back….Taylor Made R&D is up to date on their Star Wars knockoffs.
Dennis Clark
Jun 27, 2018 at 7:58 pm
If the stroke has changed and the new putter fits the new stroke, great idea. If lack of confidence is the problem, not sure it will help. I hope it does. He’s the best pressure putter Ive ever seen…
ben jones
Jun 27, 2018 at 6:22 pm
#7 kicked my Scotty out of the bag. Much easier to putt with and with more confidence. Also, I didn’t have to bend over to pick up the ball. Saving my back.
A. Nal
Jun 27, 2018 at 4:40 pm
Would drive me crazy to look at a banged up putter head. Surprised he doesn’t take better care of the putter.
ogo
Jun 27, 2018 at 3:48 pm
Perusing the top view of the putter, I bet that fanged flange has been sized to easily scoop up the ball…. without Tiger having to bend over and strain his wonky back… to pick up the ball on the green when conceding the hole.
f3h
Jun 27, 2018 at 2:09 pm
Looking at the amount of wear on that putter, this testing has been going on for quite some time
ogo
Jun 27, 2018 at 3:44 pm
If Tiger rejects the TaylorMade TP Black Copper Ardmore 3 and reverts back to his old trusty Scotty, that will destroy the marketability of the TM putter. Seems he will have to play the Ardmore to support his sponsor – TM.
The Dude
Jun 27, 2018 at 7:44 pm
haha…..stupid
dlygrisse
Jun 27, 2018 at 1:52 pm
Surprised that he went with a site line on the flange as opposed to a dot on the top rail. That is a huge difference visually! Then again maybe that is what he is going for, drastic change in order to reboot.
Chuck Barkley
Jun 27, 2018 at 4:47 am
Ooooooooooh!!! Now who’s nutty for suggesting Eldrick consider game improvement equipment?! Wasn’t it moi that got bashed around here for suggesting that the former and never again great one make a move towards GI gear? Irons are NEXT!! Put the blades away dude, you do not have the precision to manage those either! I saw this coming 20 minutes ago! Soon to be 43 dawg, the game is moving down the tracks with or without your blades, or the GI putter.
Matty
Jun 27, 2018 at 12:24 pm
obviously you have not been watching him play lately, not to many people striking the ball better than he is with blades…………… however, a new putter and some confidence with it, not a bad idea….
Chuck Barkley
Jun 27, 2018 at 2:26 pm
Oh jeez, here we go with the “You obviously have not been watching him play lately……bla bla bla,” nonsense! Did you add your Joe Buck, Mr. Radio Deep Voice when you wrote that? Next you’ll be making excuses when he dons the latest GI irons from TM. You guys crack me up with your Die Hard love of the former great one!
Dude is trying to WIN, not be leader in greens in regulation! WAKE UP ELDRICK fans!!
Chuck Barkley
Jun 27, 2018 at 2:30 pm
My radio voice to Matty; Uhhhhh…….he’s really a leader in ball striking with blades?! Lol! To use your intro; “obviously you missed the US Open and his missed cut!!
The Truth
Jun 27, 2018 at 12:35 pm
You Sir are an Idiot
Alex
Jun 26, 2018 at 6:12 pm
Whoever had the idea of showing Tiger putters at Taylormade needs to be fired immediately.
Travis
Jun 26, 2018 at 4:35 pm
He needs to change something on the greens. Do you want to be remembered by the iconic Scotty of the past, or how many Majors you win by the end of it?
His ball striking has been so phenomenal in his return, but his putting has arguably cost him two wins this season already. Something HAS to change for him, good move!
dat
Jun 26, 2018 at 2:56 pm
Change was desperately needed. He hung up the rest of that lifestyle (afaik) and needed to hang the ol’ Scotty up as well.
roger
Jun 26, 2018 at 2:36 pm
Tiger Testing 1-2-3 …. Tiger Testing 1-2-3 …. Tiger Testing 1-2-3
PJ
Jun 26, 2018 at 1:58 pm
Good move!
Dr Troy
Jun 26, 2018 at 1:52 pm
Hell hath frozen over
Chuck Barkley
Jun 27, 2018 at 4:48 am
And the pigs are flyin’