Equipment
Tiger Woods testing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ White Board driver shaft ahead of The Northern Trust
Tiger Woods has spent his 2018 season using the Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 70TX shaft in his TaylorMade M3 driver, which he’s changed the weight settings on just about every event. But after a dismal driving performance at the 2018 PGA Championship — where he finished second place despite missing every single fairway during the front nine of his final round, and the infamous 17th hole tee shot that he blew right right of a hazard — it appears Tiger is considering switching up his driver shaft.
On Tuesday of The Northern Trust at Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, NJ, Tiger was spotted using a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ White Board shaft in his driver, instead of the counter-balanced Tensei Orange he’s been accustomed to in 2018. The last time Tiger played in competition with a Diamana White Board? According to our records, it was back in 2014; that’s before the Tensei Orange, the Tensei White, the Matrix TP7HDe, and the Diamana Blue Board. Back in 2013-2014, Tiger was playing a Diamana White Board 73X.
Of course, GolfWRX members have already spotted the switch, and are speculating on why he’s switching, exactly what he’s switching to, and questioning why he isn’t switching into something else. See what they’re saying about Tiger’s shaft switch here.
According to our Tour photographer Greg Moore, Tiger has also added 1 degree of loft to his driver, in addition to sliding the M3 dual weights forward compared to their position at the 2018 PGA Championship.
He moved up 1 degree in loft too https://t.co/lD6xmn9PjV
— Greg Moore – PGA (@gdm43pga) August 21, 2018
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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Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
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MF
Sep 5, 2018 at 12:50 am
The shaft in the picture is the D+ Limited Edition. The shaft has a “high balance point” (counter balanced) just like the Tensei Orange.
Chuck Barkley
Aug 22, 2018 at 7:05 pm
He will continue to fly the ball left and right out of play until he or they figure out how to STOP DIPPING AND DIVING INTO THE BALL ON THE DOWNSWING. There is no dropping 6-7″ and compressing the spine on the downswing and expecting any kind of
driving accuracy. The two way “final round” miss will continue until that issue is addressed.
Jimmy Ballard has left the building!
Mark
Aug 23, 2018 at 3:41 am
He’s not dropping 6-7 inches anymore. Levels are way more under control…it was clearly body tension and lack of rhythm triggered by stress.
geohogan
Aug 24, 2018 at 7:43 pm
He will continue to fly the ball left and right out of play until he or they figure out how to stop:
Hitting with his heads. As pics show, he trys to square the clubface with his hands(forearm muscles) with impact 5/10,000 second
impossible to time consistently.
Level Left, Tiger, Level Left
geohogan
Aug 24, 2018 at 7:50 pm
typo: SB Hitting with his Hands.
HDTVMAN
Aug 22, 2018 at 6:03 pm
I’d rather see him experiment with a Ping G400LST. Much superior to the TM.
Tee-Bone
Aug 22, 2018 at 2:17 pm
To quote the legendary Johnny Shanks, “It ain’t the club.”
Jack Nash
Aug 22, 2018 at 12:53 pm
So he wants to go further right?
William Davis
Aug 22, 2018 at 12:33 pm
I don’t understand why anyone would be interested in this.
Romes
Aug 22, 2018 at 2:24 pm
Clicked story? You.
William Davis
Aug 23, 2018 at 6:17 am
Just the headline and comments out of curiosity.
jc
Aug 22, 2018 at 12:01 pm
he can get one of those teeless drivers that noah begay is hawking on golf channel…he can use it off the ground!!!! it is the longest straightest drives ever made. Then get one of the green chippers, one of those automatic sand wedges and a warrior golf ball..he can’t lose
TONEY P
Aug 22, 2018 at 11:42 am
Doesn’t matter what shaft he swings, as long as he tries to fade the ball now he is going to have problems. He is a golfer who has been injured so he needs to learn to adjust to what is easier to play with a fused back. He has to let the club head go, which means he has to play tee shots right to left now . For some strange reason injured golfers turn the ball over easy.
Skip
Aug 22, 2018 at 11:34 am
Great shaft, I still play one in one of my 917 D3’s. I also still have Tiger’s old favorite Graphite Design AD-DI in another of my 917 D3’s. Like them both.
~j~
Aug 22, 2018 at 10:01 am
Someone let Tiger know the M4 has a D-Type also. 1* of increased loft = 1-2* more closed also.
Can’t speak to the Tensei Orange, never hit it. Buit those clamoring that the shaft won’t make a difference never belted the White Boards and then swung a V2. Not sure Tiger needs the counter-balanced shaft at all, but whatever increases SW nowadays…
the loft settings will do more to change his flight than anything. Oh the trouble we get into one we start messing with those. In two weeks he’ll have a hot duck hook.
Joe
Aug 22, 2018 at 9:52 am
He should be testing a PING G400 driver. Might straighten him out a bit. 1 more fairway hit last week and he’s a major winner.
Jack Nash
Aug 22, 2018 at 12:55 pm
And lose TM sponsorship? LOL
Carlos Augusto Carvalho
Aug 22, 2018 at 1:11 pm
Tiger missed an eagle putt and ended up making par on Saturday. Also missed birdies and par putts all over the week. So, driving bad was not the cause to miss a major.
Must work harder on the putting surface.
GW
Aug 22, 2018 at 8:18 am
This is usually where the “experts” chime in and tell us that the D+ is a made for OEM shaft.
ogo
Aug 21, 2018 at 11:54 pm
“…Tiger is considering switching up his driver shaft.”… No kidding!!!
I predict he will soon be playing a Seven Dreamer autoclave cured graphite shaft because all oven cured shafts are too soggy and floppy in the tip section causing Tiger problems.
Tyler Durden
Aug 21, 2018 at 10:43 pm
Gotta get ball speed to 185. Smh.
Tom
Aug 21, 2018 at 9:55 pm
Doesn’t twist face claim to correct dispersion?
Jack Tors
Aug 22, 2018 at 2:31 am
On off center hits. He hits the center of the face, he just can’t match up the face and the path.
TONEY P
Aug 22, 2018 at 11:57 am
That because he doesn’t want the face to turn, so he tries to hold off.
Sahil Singh
Aug 22, 2018 at 9:37 am
Thats an interesting point!! if taylormade are marketing to amateurs like me, Long and stright aaaaannnddd TIGER WOODS!!!! can’t hit it straight with all the tech at his fingertips no expense spared then what now???? @taylormade – can you make a driver that even tiger woods can hit straight???
Sahil Singh
Aug 22, 2018 at 9:38 am
Thats an interesting point!! if taylormade are marketing to amateurs like me, Long and stright aaaaannnddd TIGER WOODS!!!! can’t hit it straight with all the tech at his fingertips no expense spared then what now???? @taylormade – can you make a driver that even tiger woods can hit straight???
jc
Aug 22, 2018 at 7:12 pm
go back in time and get one of those offset drives…forgot who made them
Nack Jicklaus
Aug 21, 2018 at 9:52 pm
Get him an old King Cobra 8 degree with a DG X100 shaft.
ogo
Aug 21, 2018 at 11:58 pm
Steel driver shafts are still the gold standard for ball control and accuracy. Pros use graphite in drivers for mass marketing of lighter is faster fraud. It’s all about what sells and what pays.
Geohogan
Aug 22, 2018 at 4:47 pm
Agree Tigers clubs are too light. (there are 100 gram graphite shafts out there)
He should listen to Jack N.:
“I’ve always believed that the golf club should dominate you instead of you dominating the club. In other words, you swing the club, and your body reacts to how you swing it. Doing this forces you to use your lower body to initiate the downswing. Every other sport is played from the ground up. Watch a baseball pitcher: On the windup, he moves his lower body first, then his arm; on the forward motion, he leads again with the lower body, the arm trailing. This used to be true with golf, but today I see it being taught with the upper body dominating, partly because modern equipment is so much lighter. But if kids started with clubs slightly too heavy, it would teach them to swing back and through from the ground up. They would be forced to learn the proper sequencing of motion.”
dat
Aug 21, 2018 at 9:37 pm
Classic shaft, proven in his hands before. Hopefully he can make it work, it’s 99% mental anyhow.
ab
Aug 21, 2018 at 8:58 pm
That should help him be slightly straighter. Probably won’t be able to launch it like Koepka, but it’ll work
Travis
Aug 21, 2018 at 8:57 pm
That’s why he’s missing fairways… he’s closing his eyes during the swing…
Jack Nash
Aug 22, 2018 at 12:57 pm
????????????????????????????????