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.
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Equipment
Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.
However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.
“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”
Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.
Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.
Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.
One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play with an additional degree of loft to help dial in his desired launch.
We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!
- Check out the rest of our pictures from the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
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Whats in the Bag
Zac Blair WITB 2024 (March)
- Zac Blair what’s in the bag accurate as of the Texas Children’s Houston Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade M5 Rocket 3 (14 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 757 Evolution V1 X
Utility: Titleist U510 (3)
Shaft: Aldila Tour Blue 85 X
Irons: Ping i210 (4-6), Miura MB-001 (7-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 58-08M @57, 60 @61), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (52-M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 X
Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
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Whats in the Bag
Martin Trainer WITB 2024 (March)
- Martin Trainer what’s in the bag accurate as of the Texas Children’s Houston Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Wilson Staff Staff Model (6.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue 70 TX
3-wood: Wilson Staff WLabs Prototype (13 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 80 TX
Irons: Wilson Staff Staff Model (2, 4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Wilson Staff Staff Model (52, 56, 60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: Bobby Grace Greg Chalmers Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
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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’