Equipment

GolfWRX Members Vote: “Which manufacturer made Tiger’s TGR prototype irons?”

Published

7 years ago

Oct 11, 2017

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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27 Comments

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

Reply Report comment
Jack Nash

Oct 13, 2017 at 8:23 pm

Ummm, who cares?

Reply Report comment
- LenG
  
  Oct 17, 2017 at 3:08 pm
  
  You obviously do to read and comment here.
  
  Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
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

Reply Report comment
Jer

Oct 13, 2017 at 2:58 pm

They must be Spalding

Reply Report comment
Buck Futter

Oct 13, 2017 at 12:27 pm

Hattori Hanzo’s for sure

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
mw

Oct 13, 2017 at 12:30 am

those are rejects. the real new Tiger irons are labeled Cheetah.

Reply Report comment
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

Reply Report comment
- MB
  
  Oct 13, 2017 at 2:27 am
  
  And your handicap is 34? Amazing. Well done to you.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - LenG
    
    Oct 17, 2017 at 3:07 pm
    
    He doesn’t play, he only owns his saxy clubs!
    
    Reply Report comment
Jill

Oct 12, 2017 at 6:08 pm

You “guys” are silly. These are Wilson Staff blades for sure.

Reply Report comment
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!”

Reply Report comment
- 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!!!!”
  
  Reply Report comment
  - 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.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - MB
      
      Oct 13, 2017 at 2:28 am
      
      Yeah that’s why you have the Vice logo on your bag? What a dumba55
      
      Reply Report comment
    - JR
      
      Oct 13, 2017 at 12:05 pm
      
      Owned!
      
      Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
The dude

Oct 12, 2017 at 3:36 am

ENDO

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
2putttom

Oct 11, 2017 at 9:33 pm

so whats the end run? Will they be marketed or the consumer? Will they be affordable?

Reply Report comment
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

Reply Report comment
Andrew

Oct 11, 2017 at 8:53 pm

Does it really matter?

Reply Report comment
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!!!

Reply Report comment
- larry
  
  Oct 12, 2017 at 1:00 am
  
  First model: The Good Wood Club
  
  Reply Report comment
  - 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.
    
    Reply Report comment

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Whats in the Bag

Richy Werenski WITB 2024 (May)

Published

13 hours ago

May 2, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

Richy Werenski what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Houston Open.

Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 60 TX

3-wood: Titleist TSR2 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 8 X

Check out more in-hand photos of Richy Werenski’s clubs in the forums.

Hybrid: Titleist TSR3 (19 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White Hybrid 90 TX

Irons: Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 S

Check out more in-hand photos of Richy Werenski’s clubs in the forums.

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46-10F, 50-12F), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks Proto (54-M, 58-L @60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 Onyx (46-50), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 Onyx (54-60)

Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype

Check out more in-hand photos of Richy Werenski’s clubs in the forums.

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash

Grips: Golf Pride ZGrip Cord

Check out more in-hand photos of Richy Werenski’s clubs in the forums.

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Equipment

Adam Scott testing green “Masters Use Only” putter + 6 interesting equipment photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson

Published

13 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Andrew Tursky

Welcome to the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson event at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, which, for your geographical reference, is about 25 minutes from Dallas.

In early-week equipment news, we saw some interesting putter testing from Adam Scott, a Maxfli golf ball signing on the PGA Tour, a 16-year-old’s WITB, a PGA Tour player using another PGA Tour player’s backup putter, and Jordan Spieth weighed in on why he recently switched out just his 7-iron (and then made a hole-in-one with it).

With so much to report and so little time to waste on the intro, let’s get right into this week’s equipment rundown from the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.

See all of our photo galleries from the week here

Adam Scott’s new L.A.B. putters

Before we get into a couple of the new prototypes Scott has been testing, above is a photo of the L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max prototype putter that he’s been using, and will likely continue to use this week in Texas.

That being said, following the Masters, Scott was looking to try a couple putters with a slightly lighter weight to help with his feel on fast greens.

One of the new prototypes we spotted on Tuesday was a L.A.B. Golf DF3 “Proto 2.1”, custom-built with Scott’s preferred blue colorway, and an Australia-inspired Kangaroo laser engraving…

We also spotted him with a green-colored “For Masters Use Only” Mezz.1 Max prototype…

While it’s unlikely Scott will make a switch this week, it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward, especially on courses with faster greens.

We also got a peek into Scott’s full WITB this week, which consists of a super-mixed set of Srixon irons, including a ZX Utility 3-iron, a ZX-5 MkII 4-iron, ZX-7 MkII mid-irons (5-7) and Z Forged II short irons (8-9).

See Scott’s full WITB from the CJ Cup here

An update on Daniel Berger’s Odyssey Jailbird

Last week in New Orleans, we highlighted Daniel Berger’s Ai-One Jailbird Mini putter because of its unique sightlines.

Well, we have an update.

According to Callaway Tour Manager Joe Toulon, who spoke with GolfWRX.com this week, Berger’s Jailbird Mini is actually from fellow Tour player Tom Kim’s stash. Kim is a prolific putter tester, and the exact putter Berger is currently using was actually originally made for and tested by Kim. The putter didn’t make it into Kim’s starting lineup, however, so he gave the putter back to Odyssey, and it eventually made it’s way onto Berger’s gamer roster.

Jordan Spieth’s new 7-iron

As the story goes, Jordan Spieth changed out his Titleist T100 7-iron on Wednesday before the 2024 Valero Texas Open, and then on Thursday, he used the 7-iron to make a hole-in-one from 199 yards on the 16th hole.

Good timing on that switch, Jordan.

On Tuesday at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson, GoflWRX.com caught up with Spieth to get the full story on why he switched just the 7-iron.

Our full story is over on PGATOUR.com’s Equipment Report, but here’s a snippet of what Spieth had to say:

“I hit my 7-iron a lot, especially on my own. The spin rates, relative to my 6-iron and my 8-iron, were lower, so it was going too far. I was trying to figure out why, if it was something in the makeup of the iron. I got the lies and the lofts checked, and everything was fine. So finally I was like, ‘Can I just get a new one and see if it fixes it?’

“Maybe there was one other time throughout my career where I changed just one iron, so it’s very unusual. I think it’s just because the grooves were worn down from hitting it too much.”

Ben Griffin signs with Maxfli to play the golf ball

At the beginning of the year, LPGA Tour star Lexi Thompson signed a deal with Maxfli to play the company’s golf ball, and now, Griffin has officially joined team Maxfli, as well, thus expanding the company’s Tour presence.

GolfWRX.com caught up with Griffin on Wednesday in Texas for a video interview about his new golf ball of choice, and how he marks it…

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A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx)

A 16-year-old is playing on the PGA Tour this week, using a 2-iron!

Amateur golfer Kris Kim, at just 16 years of age, is making his PGA Tour debut this week after receiving a sponsors exemption into the event. In 2023, Kim won both the R&A Boys’ Amateur Championship and the European Boys’ International Championship.

On Tuesday in Texas, we got a look into Kim’s bag, which revealed that he’s currently playing a TaylorMade P-770 2-iron, and a bag full of TaylorMade clubs.

Check out Kim’s full WITB here

A smart golf ball stamping

I’m not going to sit here and pretend to be a big math guy, because I’m not. However, I do recognize David Nyfjall’s purple ball marking as a square root symbol.

While I don’t know the particular significance of the square root symbol for Nyfjall, I do know you have to be fairly intelligent to even consider using a marking like that. Pretty cool stuff from the Northwestern alum, and 2023 Byron Nelson Award winner.

And, with that, we say goodbye to Texas and TPC Craig Ranch. We’ll see you next week at the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte for more insider equipment news and storylines.

For now, don’t forget to check out all of our photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson

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Whats in the Bag

Wesley Bryan WITB 2024 (May)

Published

15 hours ago

May 2, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

Wesley Bryan what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.

Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Max (9 degrees @10)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana GT 50 TX

3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana GT 60 X

Check out more in-hand photos of Wesley Bryan’s clubs here.

Hybrid: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus Rescue (19.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Blue 8 X

Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Takomo 101U (4), Takomo 101T (5), Takomo 301 CB (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Check out more in-hand photos of Wesley Bryan’s clubs here.

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 52-08F, 56-14F), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks Proto (58-A)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400