Equipment
GolfWRX Members Vote: “Which manufacturer made Tiger’s TGR prototype irons?”
With Tiger Woods being back in the full swing of things, it’s only right for the world of GolfWRX to take a look at what clubs he’s using.
Based on a picture Tweeted at us from @kevinromangolf, Tiger has quite a mixed bag including TaylorMade PSi, TaylorMade RSi2 and TaylorMade UDI irons, as well as Nike VR Forged wedges. But most of the talk revolves around the “TGR” blade prototype irons he has in the bag… what are they?!
After speaking with a variety of industry insiders, the best insight we received was from a former representative at Nike who was around when the company still offered hard goods. Our source speculates that they are old Nike irons — we assume the source is referencing Nike’s VR Pro blades that Tiger used as recently as 2017 — but re-stamped with Tiger’s “TGR” company logo. Another interesting tidbit from the source includes Tiger’s testing process; he says when testing equipment coming off a long break, Tiger goes back to all of his old equipment to get “baseline” numbers and seeks improvement in relation to those.
But we still did not find a concrete answer for who exactly manufactured the irons, but rather, simply speculation from a former Nike representative. So we put the question to GolfWRX members, who are endlessly knowledgable about equipment and have followed Tiger’s equipment decisions for years.
Below are the results from our forum poll, answers from GolfWRX members in the forums, and Twitter responses. Make sure to check out the full thread here.
Other (5.10 percent of votes)
Golfingfanatic: Mike Taylor at Artisan Golf is my guess.
From_Parts_Unknown: My guess would be Endo (Thailand) finished by Mike Taylor.
Mizuno (8.28 percent)
Look like the new mizuno mp18s.
— Chris Parkhurst (@cpark29) October 11, 2017
MP-29 nickel plated OG.
Go get em’ Tiger!
— trippinthejar (@trippgolfpro) October 11, 2017
That’s a mizuno https://t.co/CZn3NICtba
— RodMau5 (@RodPiece) October 11, 2017
Looks very mp33 like
— James Grimes (@ripjsg) October 11, 2017
TaylorMade (17.20 percent)
Nard_S: They are Taylormade’s based off the Rory prototype.
HDTVMAN: Look like a custom version of the new TM P Series.
Probably custom TMs, considering his contract with them.
— Bryan Armstrong (@barmstrong1516) October 11, 2017
Miura (29.30 percent)
seetoo: Made for Nike by Miura.
DatSliceDoe: The original source is Miura, then Nike, then someone else who did the stamping.
J13: Miura for Nike For TGR for Tiger.
Nah I think those blades are Miura
— Tyson Marostica (@azsportsclinic) October 11, 2017
Look like MP18’s to me.
— Brandon Price (@Brandoni311) October 11, 2017
Nike (35.67 percent)
ago33: Old nikes because of the stamping.
Neverfaze: I mean the font on the 6 iron is straight from the VR series.. so..
KeithM38: Yeah they look like straight VR copies.
dalton044: Probably just some unstamped Nike heads he had.
PARthur: Guessing Miura, possibly TM or Titleist. Look like copies of his Nike blades. I imagine any mfg with great forgings could make them.
Kylekoz17: Definitely Nike heads, most likely finished by Mike Taylor at Artisan at the open Oven. Muscle and number stamps are identical to VR Pros.
Look like Nike to me.
— Robert Montgomery (@rmontgom826) October 11, 2017
???? stamped VR Pros? RT @kevinromangolf: @GolfWRX Here is a look inside Tiger Woods bag. pic.twitter.com/OqJRkhZNUs
— ? (@corioz) October 11, 2017
Nike blades, number stamps are straight from a VR blade. NO manufacturer who makes those style blades currently has underline on the 6 & 9.
— Ronnie (@Retbanker) October 11, 2017
Join the discussion about Tiger’s TGR irons here!
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Equipment
What’s the perfect Mini-Driver/Shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been discussing Mini-Drivers and accompanying shafts. WRXer ‘JamesFisher1990’ is about to purchase a BRNR Mini and is torn on what shaft weight to use, and our members have been sharing their thoughts and set ups in our forum.
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.
- PARETO: “New BRNR at 13.5. Took it over to TXG (Club Champ but TXG will always rule) in Calgary for a fit. Took the head down to 12, stuck in a Graphite Design AD at 3 wood length and 60g. Presto- numbers that rivaled my G430Max but with waaaaay tighter dispersion. Win.”
- driveandputtmachine: “Still playing a MIni 300. The head was only 208, so I ordered a heavier weight and play it at 3 wood length. I am playing a Ventus Red 70. I play 70 grams in my fairways. I use it mainly to hit draws off the tee. When I combine me, a driver, and trying to hit a draw it does not work out well most of the time. So the MIni is for that. As an aside, I have not hit the newest BRNR, but the previous model wasn’t great off the deck. The 300 Mini is very good off the deck.”
- JAM01: “Ok, just put the BRNR in the bag along side a QI10 max and a QI10 3 wood. A load of top end redundancy. But, I have several holes at my two home courses where the flight and accuracy of the mini driver helps immensely. Mine is stock Proforce 65 at 13.5, I could see a heavier shaft, but to normal flex, as a nice alternative.”
Entire Thread: “What’s the perfect Mini-Driver/Shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/26/24): Artisan 0521 custom putter
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that 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, there is a listing for an Artisan 0521 custom putter
From the seller: (@Nobody2): “$775 -Artisan 0521 custom putter PVD (black finish) with sweep neck hosel. There are no personal stampings other than my player # in very small print on the side of the hosel (all Artisan products have this along with the date it was made). This putter looks absolutely amazing and has only been used for 3 rounds. It has a black steel shaft and has a very Cam Smith look to it. The putter looks new and has no wear marks anywhere on the putter. It comes with extra weights (one set of of 5 gram weights and one set of 15 gram weights). The head cover is a a navy blue ‘quilted blade putter cover.’ If you are wondering why I am selling…I flat out have the yips and the only thing saving me is a broomstick. New, this putter is $1085, so if the specs work for you (grip, length and lie can certainly be tweaked) it will save you some good money and 2 month wait time.
Specs:
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Artisan 0521 custom putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Equipment
A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic
Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.
Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.
We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.
Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).
See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here
Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge
Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.
View this post on Instagram
A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.
See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here
Turning Back the clock
Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.
But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.
For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.
Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.
The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.
The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.
Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter
Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.
Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.
View this post on Instagram
It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.
If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.
Brilliant.
See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here
Stricker’s unrecognizable putter
Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.
Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.
View this post on Instagram
Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates
Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.
Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.
It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.
Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines
Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.
Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.
FitzMagic teams back up
Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.
See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here
And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.
We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!
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Realist
Oct 20, 2017 at 12:24 pm
Based on the P stamp on his wedge, it is identical to the Nike VR series stamping. That has my vote
Jack Nash
Oct 13, 2017 at 8:23 pm
Ummm, who cares?
LenG
Oct 17, 2017 at 3:08 pm
You obviously do to read and comment here.
Jim
Nov 6, 2017 at 8:44 am
‘Zactly… so done with it/him.
He’s done. No one captures lightning in a bottle twice, no one’s afraid of him & he finally grew up. Tigger’s fini. It’s the Eldrick show now.
Maybe a win or two on SENIOR Tour down the road – if he stops that stupid squat move that ate his back in the first place…TKR before he’s 50…
I wish him no ill-will; go in peace my brother. Be happy, be well. I just don’t need or want to hear about it.
Mike
Oct 13, 2017 at 6:25 pm
There’s a guy out the back of K Mart putting them together
Why bother the tour has moved on and we are better for it
Jer
Oct 13, 2017 at 2:58 pm
They must be Spalding
Buck Futter
Oct 13, 2017 at 12:27 pm
Hattori Hanzo’s for sure
JR
Oct 13, 2017 at 11:15 am
Who cares? They would need to be forged by God himself if he’s ever to win again.
mw
Oct 13, 2017 at 12:30 am
those are rejects. the real new Tiger irons are labeled Cheetah.
shuttleston
Oct 12, 2017 at 8:45 pm
My WITB::
9.5* GBB Epic w/ RT Technologies Zeus 75g
16.5* Tour Issue TaylorMade M2 w/ RT Technologies Zeus 85g
20* Itobori Hybrid w/ RT Technologies Midas 88g
Itobori Black Copper Blades w/ AMT DG X100 4-PW
Itobori Custom Grind 51* & 56* w/ AMT DG X100
MannKrafted Yaupon
Vice Force Stand Bag
Vice Pro Plus
MB
Oct 13, 2017 at 2:27 am
And your handicap is 34? Amazing. Well done to you.
LenG
Oct 17, 2017 at 3:07 pm
He doesn’t play, he only owns his saxy clubs!
Jill
Oct 12, 2017 at 6:08 pm
You “guys” are silly. These are Wilson Staff blades for sure.
Thomas A
Oct 12, 2017 at 10:16 am
Basically everyone is commenting on who the wish made these clubs. “They’re Endo because I love that factory!”
“They’re Mizuno because everyone wants to play Mizuno because I play Mizuno!”
“They’re old Nike’s because now that they stopped making clubs Nike is retro cool!”
Bill Cunningham
Oct 12, 2017 at 11:25 am
In marketing circles it’s called “tribal product syndrome”.
People become the product name they advertise on their body.
I only associate with golfers who wear a Ping cap or Titleist cap.
You get the point. You are your ‘sign shirt”.
“I am Nike, hear me roar!!!!”
shuttleston
Oct 12, 2017 at 8:53 pm
Humanity is so pathetic. I never wear the logos of the products I use, unless they pay me. Just imagine what weak minds wear the name of products. They have the pride and intelligence of a 10 year old child.
MB
Oct 13, 2017 at 2:28 am
Yeah that’s why you have the Vice logo on your bag? What a dumba55
JR
Oct 13, 2017 at 12:05 pm
Owned!
RG
Oct 12, 2017 at 8:58 am
Straight Endo action. Just like his “Nike” irons. They used the old stampings the y had at Miura to put “TGR” on them. Tiger has always played Miura clubs, although they were dressed up like Nike. Why would he change now? If you get a taste for a Miura forging there’s no going back.
The dude
Oct 12, 2017 at 3:36 am
ENDO
Jim
Oct 12, 2017 at 12:40 am
I would say just ask Tiger…but then again he would not mention a company name without someone handing him a check.
2putttom
Oct 11, 2017 at 9:33 pm
so whats the end run? Will they be marketed or the consumer? Will they be affordable?
UnclePhil
Oct 11, 2017 at 8:56 pm
Looks like 3 Christmas Trees to me! Eldrick…..GO AWAY DUDE! Golfwrx, get off this guys jock strap!
PLEASE
Andrew
Oct 11, 2017 at 8:53 pm
Does it really matter?
etc.
Oct 11, 2017 at 8:39 pm
Tiger’s TGR line of muscleback blade irons will go into competition with PXG and will top their price too.
“No Screws or Foam Here — Just Pure Muscleback Power for Real Golfers” !!!!!!
Lotsa WOOOOOO in these clubs!!!
larry
Oct 12, 2017 at 1:00 am
First model: The Good Wood Club
shuttleston
Oct 12, 2017 at 8:55 pm
You know what they say — if you can’t get it up you can’t get it in.