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

Rory McIlroy’s winning WITB: 2024 Wells Fargo Championship

Published

12 mins ago

May 12, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @8.25) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8 X

Check out more in-hand photos of Rory McIlroy’s WITB in the forums.

5-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (18 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 9 X

Irons: TaylorMade Proto (4), TaylorMade Rors Proto (5-9) Buy here.
Shaft: Project X 7.0 (4-9)

Check out more in-hand photos of Rory McIlroy’s WITB in the forums.

Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (46-09SB, 50-09SB, 54-11SB) Buy here, Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks (58-K @59) Buy here.
Shafts: Project X 6.5 (46-54), Project X 6.5 Wedge (60)

Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour X3 Buy here.
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol Tour

Check out more in-hand photos of Rory McIlroy’s WITB in the forums.

Ball: 2024 TaylorMade TP5x Buy here.

(Photo courtesy of TaylorMade)

Grips: Golf Pride MCC

Check out more in-hand photos of Rory McIlroy’s WITB in the forums.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx)

The winning WITB is presented by 2nd Swing Golf. 2nd Swing has more than 100,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.

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Whats in the Bag

Kevin Tway WITB 2024 (May)

Published

2 days ago

May 10, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

Kevin Tway what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here.

Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80 TX

Check out more in-hand photos of Kevin Tway’s clubs here.

5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 90 TX

Irons: Wilson Staff Utility (2), Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: Mitsubishi MMT 100 TX (2), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-9)

Check out more in-hand photos of Kevin Tway’s clubs here.

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F @51, 56-14F), SM7 (60-10S)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48-56), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (60)

Putter: Scotty Cameron T-5 Proto
Grip: Scotty Cameron Black Baby T

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Plus4

More photos of Kevin Tway’s WITB in the forums.

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Equipment

Did Rory McIlroy inspire Shane Lowry’s putter switch?

Published

2 days ago

May 10, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.

The timing of Lowry’s putter changeup was curious: Was he just using a Spider putter because he was paired with McIlroy, who’s been using a Spider Tour X head throughout 2024? Was Lowry just being festive because it’s the Zurich Classic, and he wanted to match his teammate? Did McIlroy let Lowry try his putter, and he liked it so much he actually switched into it?

Well, as it turns out, McIlroy’s only influence was inspiring Lowry to make more putts.

When asked if McIlroy had an influence on the putter switch, Lowry had this to say: “No, it’s actually a different putter than what he uses. Maybe there was more pressure there because I needed to hole some more putts if we wanted to win,” he said with a laugh.

To Lowry’s point, McIlroy plays the Tour X model, whereas Lowry switched into the Tour Z model, which has a sleeker shape in comparison, and the two sole weights of the club are more towards the face.

Lowry’s Spider Tour Z has a white True Path Alignment channel on the crown of his putter, which is reminiscent of Lowry’s former 2-ball designs, thus helping to provide a comfort factor despite the departure from his norm. Instead of a double-bend hosel, which Lowry used in his 2-ball putters, his new Spider Tour Z is designed with a short slant neck.

“I’ve been struggling on the greens, and I just needed something with a fresh look,” Lowry told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship. “It has a different neck on it, as well, so it moves a bit differently, but it’s similar. It has a white line on the back of it [like my 2-ball], and it’s a mallet style. So it’s not too drastic of a change.

“I just picked it up on the putting green and I liked the look of it, so I was like, ‘Let’s give it a go.’”

Read the rest of the piece over at PGATour.com.

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