Nike...will they ever put a putter in Tiger's bag?

[502 to Right]

From the Mitchell Club Repair report from April 2007:

 

http://www.clubrepairnews.com/2007/april/w...gusta-tour.html

 

However, I don't think there is any correlation between who works on Tiger's putter and the likelihood he will change it. He won't change it unless it is lost or stolen in my opinion.

[mhk5000]

I'm not sure what the big deal is here. We all know the putter is the most personal club in the bag. It's pretty obvious that the pros can play any club on tour and still do well, but that's not the case with the putter.

 

From a Nike Perspective, as long as Tiger is winning that's great for Nike. Look at all the airtime he had to advertise the Nike products! The only way Tiger is going to keep winning is with his Titleist Cameron Putter. So Nike wins even if one club in Tiger's Bag is not a nike.

 

It was awesome to see the camera line up right behind Tiger's put on 18 (on sunday) so we can all get a clear view of the "titleist" name. I'm sure the titleist execs loved that.

[scs1070]

I think the big deal is the fact that Nike is a Marketing frieght train, and the biggest moment of the tournament was a worm-cam shot of a Titleist putter.

 

Fortunately I think most of the average viewer don't put two-and-two together and realize that Nike doesn't make that putter.

[bgash11]

Tiger is 4th this year so far on the PGA Tour in "Putts per GIR" so I can't see any reason he would switch. If I had used one putter to win multiple major championships and millions upon millions of dollars, there is no way I would switch.

[Wookieedog]

some quick thoughts after reading the post....

 

1. How much is Tiger's current gamer worth IF he were to sell it on Ebay for a charity?

 

2. Tiger has kept that as his putter for years now, and is comfortable with it, but do I really see him gaming the SAME putter for the next 5-10 years.....uhm...no. Sooner or later he will change putters out, be it to another SC, or Nike, or whatever, but there is no way Tiger plays the next 20 years with the same putter, much less the next 40 years including time on the Senior Circuit. Seriously, does anyone really think that he will use the same putter for the next 40 years or so?

 

3. Could you imagine Tiger stepping up on the 18th to putt with a Sabertooth or a Spider or even a Craz-e? I would die laughing at the sight of him using a Spider.

 

4. That being said, take a look at some of the beautiful blades out there like the Cally/Odyssey Tour Authentic Blade and then say that there is NO chance in the next 40 years that someone will not make a putter that Tiger likes better than his current gamer.

 

Seriously, we need to realize that just because we Golfwrxer's can fall in love with the look of a putter and romanticize a relationship with a putter, does not mean that everyone else out there does. Tiger games what he likes the best. The second he finds a putter he likes more, he will switch.

 

Remember when Tiger struggled with his swing when he made the change several years ago? Now think back a couple of years before that. Would you have said that Tiger needed to make a swing change that would improve his overall game? The answer would have been no. However, Tiger realized that as good as he was, he could be better by suffering through some short term problems to be better in the long run.

 

If Tiger ever thinks that switching to a different putter would be better for him in the long run, he would do it in a flash. No romanticized version of a relationship with a putter would stop him. He wants to be the best, PERIOD. If a putter change would improve his game, he will do it, just like he did the swing change. People may think that he is crazy to try to change, but his focus on being the best around, where nothing ever will keep him down, the best around...will make him use a different putter some day.

 

To say that his current SC will be the best putter EVER for him is a little short sighted. He will change, sooner or later, as soon as he finds one he likes more. I mean seriously, does anyone here really believe his gamer is the best putter that will ever be made over the next 40 years?

[bgash11]

Seriously, we need to realize that just because we Golfwrxer's can fall in love with the look of a putter and romanticize a relationship with a putter, does not mean that everyone else out there does. Tiger games what he likes the best. The second he finds a putter he likes more, he will switch.

 

I understand what you are saying, but I look at it a little differently. In my opinion, some of us here are putter ho's. In fact, I am a proud putter ho' myself. A couple posts said that Tiger would switch because of his performance in the 2008 U.S. Open, but I disagree. I my opinion, as Golfwrxers's we should realize that Tiger will not switch because he had 1 or 2 rounds when he didn't putt amazingly well (like some of us putter ho's would).

 

However, I do agree with you that I can not see him using the same putter for the next 40 years. In my opinion, he will stick with Scotty. However, he has a Kevin Burns as a back up and now that Kevin is just introducing the new line of putters, you never know. I still expect him to stick with Scotty for a long time though.

[golfer1989]

Why has no one mentioned all Tiger's 3 putts during the U.S. Open? I think he had more this week then he does in most of his seasons. Could it be the putter i don't know, it may have been the greens.

 

But honestly nothing Tiger does would surprise me. I believe he should switch putters, but I'm not making the decision, he is. Tiger does what he wants when he wants on and off the golf course. When he believes it is time to switch he will, but I do not believe that will be for awhile.

[HeadonaStick]

some quick thoughts after reading the post....

 

1. How much is Tiger's current gamer worth IF he were to sell it on Ebay for a charity?

 

Been discussed many, many times. Nobody really knows but I think the consensus is at least 7 figures.

 

2. Tiger has kept that as his putter for years now, and is comfortable with it, but do I really see him gaming the SAME putter for the next 5-10 years.....uhm...no. Sooner or later he will change putters out, be it to another SC, or Nike, or whatever, but there is no way Tiger plays the next 20 years with the same putter, much less the next 40 years including time on the Senior Circuit. Seriously, does anyone really think that he will use the same putter for the next 40 years or so?

 

I don't believe Tiger will be playing for 20 more years. When he beats Jack's Major record, I think he'll hang it up. Even if he doesn't, I absolutely do not believe he will ever set foot in a Champions Tour event. Ever. I don't believe it is in Tiger's nature to play at anything but the very highest level. No Champions Tour events. Quote me on that.

 

That said, why wouldn't he use the same putter for 20+ years? Tiger has shown a reluctance to change (although he tries everything I hear) and if the putter is working I don't think he'll change it. He's been playing it for 8+ years now. What is the life span of a putter?

 

3. Could you imagine Tiger stepping up on the 18th to putt with a Sabertooth or a Spider or even a Craz-e? I would die laughing at the sight of him using a Spider.

 

I can imagine it, but every time I do I throw up in my mouth a little bit. Let's not go here again.

 

4. That being said, take a look at some of the beautiful blades out there like the Cally/Odyssey Tour Authentic Blade and then say that there is NO chance in the next 40 years that someone will not make a putter that Tiger likes better than his current gamer.

 

It isn't just likes. Tiger himself has stated there are other putters that work better. He trusts this putter.

 

Seriously, we need to realize that just because we Golfwrxer's can fall in love with the look of a putter and romanticize a relationship with a putter, does not mean that everyone else out there does. Tiger games what he likes the best. The second he finds a putter he likes more, he will switch.

 

It sounds like Tiger has romanticized his relationship with his putter. Let's just hope he never consummates it.

 

Remember when Tiger struggled with his swing when he made the change several years ago? Now think back a couple of years before that. Would you have said that Tiger needed to make a swing change that would improve his overall game? The answer would have been no. However, Tiger realized that as good as he was, he could be better by suffering through some short term problems to be better in the long run.

 

Tiger's goal has always been to make his swing his own. And yes, I would have said Tiger needed to make a change, and I think he does now as well, although I'm just a nobody, but since you asked...

 

Tiger had very, very specific goals in mind when he made his swing changes. In any case, this is not really quite the same thing as a putter, and Tiger isn't suffering in the putting department. Changing to another putter isn't going to make him a better putter (now there is something a few GolfWRX'ers could learn!)

 

If Tiger ever thinks that switching to a different putter would be better for him in the long run, he would do it in a flash. No romanticized version of a relationship with a putter would stop him. He wants to be the best, PERIOD. If a putter change would improve his game, he will do it, just like he did the swing change. People may think that he is crazy to try to change, but his focus on being the best around, where nothing ever will keep him down, the best around...will make him use a different putter some day.

 

Of course he would. Where has anyone said otherwise? Tiger has simply said that a putter change isn't going to improve his game - even though there are better putters out there!

 

To say that his current SC will be the best putter EVER for him is a little short sighted. He will change, sooner or later, as soon as he finds one he likes more. I mean seriously, does anyone here really believe his gamer is the best putter that will ever be made over the next 40 years?

Whether or not we believe it is of little concern. Tiger believes it is the best putter for him, and unless his putting goes south and stays there, he isn't going to be looking for another putter. That I do believe. Lots of guys still use their father's or even grandfather's putters. Remember the biggest change in putting since the Anser has been HMOI putters like the Spider and Sabertooth and I doubt Tiger will ever go there.

[labillyboy]

Tiger is who he is because he doesn't blame his equipment for his mistakes.

 

Look, he's using essentially the same irons and putter that he has forever... there just is no technology in either that makes a big difference for a player that hits the ball on the center of the face every time.

 

He will continue to play different Drivers and Fairways as technology does make a difference... but, remember how long he stayed with a Steel X100 in the 975D?

 

This Tiger does not change his stripes easily... that putter is going nowhere. He'll be handing it down to Sam... It will end up in a museum.

 

For $25,000 you can buy an exact replica at Plaza Golf in Torrance.

[Wookieedog]

"It sounds like Tiger has romanticized his relationship with his putter. Let's just hope he never consummates it."

 

 

:clapping: :) :)

[RobotDoctor]

Good grief, another thread about Tiger switching putters? :clapping:

 

There are those who keep bringing up this topic or offer their opinions without much facts to support it other than their bias.

 

Tiger putting horribly at the US Open? Hardly. I think his putts on the 72nd and 90th holes were huge and would instill trust in the putter. Also, weren't the greens getting a little ragged when Tiger putted on them? Spike marks and Poa Annua do not make a great combination. Also, Tiger has, and continues, to make putts when he has to more than he does not. Tiger has even stated that he trusts his putter. That statement should put to rest the rumor or speculation of Tiger switching.

 

Who cares that Tiger has a Nike backup? Tiger saying he has a backup putter is like me saying I have a backup hip. Maybe one day I will replace my current hip with this backup but the current one walks (er ... putts) well, it has the perfect feel, it walks (er ... rolls putts) just the way I want and I trust it!!! If this is the case, why in the world would I ever consider replacing it?

 

My opinion is that Tiger continues using his "beat up" Cameron Newport 2 putter for quite some time.

[mmp]

I;m sure they've made 100000000's of copy. Tiger's Cameron is more the shape of a Newport if you actually look at it. It also has an old Wilson shaft and a Ping grip. :clapping:

 

 

Also, I may be mistaken, but I have seen Stevie putting a silver Nike Headcover on the putter in the past. Still doesn't change that worm cam shot, but it doesn't get better for Nike than the 05' Master's chip in.

[sjjjbugs]

Has it been 6 months already... that seems to be the normal wait time for the latest "when will Tiger change his putter" thread. :clapping: I have no doubt that Tiger will change someday for the exact reasons mentioned earlier, he practices a lot, he digs the ball out of the cup with his putter, he tosses clubs (on occaision with gusto) and he hits the center of the club over and over and over. The line has been out there for a long time that Scotty has tried repeatedly to get a new club in Tiger's hands and hasn't been successful. So if Scotty is always trying to put something new in his hands, wouldn't you think that he's aware of the life span left in that club?

 

Also, for all who can't believe Tiger would ever play a Nike, what in the world makes you think Nike would even be the ones who would make it? I've seen Betti/Nike protos, Kevin Burns has been mentioned, etc. He'll change if and when he's ready, to whatever suits him at the time.

[jick]

Let's recap the sorry state of Tiger's putting as of late:

 

1. Tiger lost the Masters because he couldn't sink any putts all week. This was from Tiger's own mouth.

 

2. The US Open playoff marks the first time Tiger has ever lost a lead of at least three shots in the back nine.

 

3. Tiger has never gone nine consecutive holes in a major where he is contending without a one-putt. Tiger two-putter nine straight holes.

 

4. His birdie putt on the 18th hole did not fall on the center of the cup and was jumping all over the place.

 

Now that Tiger will take an extended break because of his knee, he will have a lot of extra time to watch replays of that putt. He will have time to re-assess his putting woes as of late, and he will be able to pinpoint the problem to the putter.

 

It is inevitable. Tiger is dumping his Cameron sooner than you think.

[502 to Right]

5. He won the U.S. Open on bad knee BECAUSE of his putter, not despite it.

 

I will take any wagers that Tiger will be playing the same putter one year from now.

[dalehead]

It is inevitable. Tiger is dumping his Cameron sooner than you think.

 

 

Interesting. And you know this how?

[bhendr5]

I think the big deal is the fact that Nike is a Marketing frieght train, and the biggest moment of the tournament was a worm-cam shot of a Titleist putter.

 

Fortunately I think most of the average viewer don't put two-and-two together and realize that Nike doesn't make that putter.

 

I think this post is dead on. How many average golf viewers/players even know that his putter is not a nike. When you look at Nike's designs for just about everything, especially putters, (style, color, etc.) I think Nike is targeting the non-hardcore, non club ho golfer.

[KevCarter]

I think the big deal is the fact that Nike is a Marketing frieght train, and the biggest moment of the tournament was a worm-cam shot of a Titleist putter.

 

Fortunately I think most of the average viewer don't put two-and-two together and realize that Nike doesn't make that putter.

 

I think this post is dead on. How many average golf viewers/players even know that his putter is not a nike. When you look at Nike's designs for just about everything, especially putters, (style, color, etc.) I think Nike is targeting the non-hardcore, non club ho golfer.

 

In light of today's news, I just hope Tiger is able to come back next year and get back to competing at his current level. Personally, I would be very happy to see him accomplish that with ANY brand of putter!

 

Kevin

[RobotDoctor]

I agree with Kevin.

 

However, Tiger is not switching anytime soon. That's my opinion and I am sticking to it. If he does switch, I hope he goes TP Mills. :clapping:

[ShoxTP]

I think the big deal is the fact that Nike is a Marketing frieght train, and the biggest moment of the tournament was a worm-cam shot of a Titleist putter.

 

Fortunately I think most of the average viewer don't put two-and-two together and realize that Nike doesn't make that putter.

 

I think this post is dead on. How many average golf viewers/players even know that his putter is not a nike. When you look at Nike's designs for just about everything, especially putters, (style, color, etc.) I think Nike is targeting the non-hardcore, non club ho golfer.

 

Ok the putters Nike has released have not been "Scotty quality" ;) , fair assumption. But need I remind you that nike has made MILLED PROTOTYPES as well? Justin Leonard and Michelle Wie have gamed them in the past. (I know the "Then why did they stop and justin go back to his cameron?" thing is comming) Nike has all the R&D and money they need, if tiger wants to go to an "Inferior putter to Cameron" ;) :haha: :haha: then he will. But until then we are just :russian_roulette:

[Llortamaisey]

It's fun to read this board after the non-sense that took place over the 2010 Open at Saint Andrew's.

[TheMoneyShot]

I remember this thread, good times!!!

[mac94]

This thread reminded me how much jick makes me laugh.

[jumanji]

I wonder what kind of security Tiger's putter has and how much time Steve spends keeping an eye on it.