Why Doesn't Tiger Hit it Farther?

[uttexas]

Bubba Watson and JB Holmes launch the ball higher with less spin than Tiger. Thus, even though Bubba, JB, and Woods have almost identical swing speeds, Woods doesn't drive it as far.

[jamo]

A link to the Nike website really doesn't prove anything...it's their website. Yes I am right Phil outdrove Tiger last year...and that means nothing. Driving distance means absolutley nothing on the PGA tour (Corey Pavin).

That's with only a 90mph swing speed. In the 120's I bet the results are much closer. Nike states that the One Platinum is made for players that can compress the ball.

You're the one who said Nike states that the One Platinum is for players who can compress the ball, i gave you what Nike actually states.

[Fourputt]

It pays to keep in mind also that the Tour only measures drives "officially" on 2 holes each event. They are chosen to run in opposite directions so that the the wind will have a minimal effect on the average of the two holes. Tiger may bomb the ball on a hole which isn't being measured, then use a 5W on one that is.

[iacas]

It pays to keep in mind also that the Tour only measures drives "officially" on 2 holes each event. They are chosen to run in opposite directions so that the the wind will have a minimal effect on the

They also try to choose holes on which a driver is likely to be used.

But of course that still doesn't mean a player has to hit a driver. Or that they go at it with a "normal" driver swing. In the end, there's a lot of variance. The answer to the question is that Tiger could, but chooses control over getting as much distance as he could.

[colin007]

it does seem like tiger has two driver swings. one, the controlled one, with that beautifully tempoed swing, perfectly balanced, and he has pretty good control over where it goes. the second, out of his shoes lash at the ball where he falls back on his right foot and the club whips back in front of him, and he hits those huge blocks to the right or hooks that start out straight and then take a 45 degree left turn. im sure the second one is prolly as long as the other guys out there (maybe not Quiros).

[jamo]

Just from watching him, it seems like Tiger rarely hits a controlled driver. When he needs to hit the fairway he hits a 3-wood, and if he needs a little extra, he goes after it more, and he is so good with the 3-wood the results are usually good.
On the other hand, when he really needs to bomb one, he tries to kill his driver, something he definitely was better at 10 years ago.
So i guess he does have 2 driver swings, he just rarely uses one of them.

[Chilli Dipper]

It pays to keep in mind also that the Tour only measures drives "officially" on 2 holes each event. They are chosen to run in opposite directions so that the the wind will have a minimal effect on the

The tour measures drives on every hole now (except par 3s, of course). That's what Shot Tracker technology on every hole does for you.

[chaptowngolfteam]

In the latest golf.com WITB, it says that Tiger uses the Nike One Tour. Not sure when he switched or if that is accurate. http://blogs.golf.com/equipment/2009...ger-woods.html

[uttexas]

Also, I think Tiger uses a shorter driver than JB Holmes and Bubba Watson.

[Acropo]

THE Masters Tournament was a coupla weeks ago...

Have you got tickets to next year or are you thinking of another tournament?

(Hate to consider the alternative....naaaahhhh. Can't be)

[DavidFehertysBike]

Tiger flew a 8i 187 yards last year...i think his distance is just fine...

[srjorion]

Yes they do, and that's partly the reason why he's just a little behind them. Driving distance is driving distance, regardless of what club is used. I think the most I saw Tiger hit driver in a single round this year was 3 times. It was mostly all 3W and 5W. It's just that others now pull driver more, and the rest of the field has also worked considerably harder to get to try and keep up with Tiger. See

Exactly what I was wondering when I watched Duval pull out 3 wood on a 490 yd. Par 4 in the Zurich. He still reached the green in two, but pulled out the shorter stick to stay out of trouble. Kind of makes me wonder what the "real" driving distances are for pros if the "averages" are showing what they are with other clubs thrown into the mix.

Same thing happened on the 18th at the Zurich, a Par 5. Lots of guys hit 3 wood knowing they were going to lay up.

[Three Putt]

Couple of reasons.

+1

Driving distance on the PGA tour doesn't mean squat. Tiger want's to be the "longest"....but is not.....sorry T Dubs... Warmest Regards, Phil, Bubba, Dustin, JB, etc....

[Woters]

Just watching Mr Woods from his comeback at the Masters & now after round 1 at Quail Hollow & I got to say his lack of accuracy for being the worlds #1 is scarily bad. I know he has been off course for months but his swing has definately shown signs of trouble & doesnt seem to find fairways. In fact he is struggling off the tee with most clubs & even the putting is off. Shame but Im sure he will get over it before Pebble.

[Zeph]

His putting I wouldn't worry about, that will come around. His swing on the other hand, is not well, especially with the driver. It is not something that started recently either, he's been doing this for years now.

With that swing, he'll have a hard time beating Nicklaus.

[colin007]

i guess what im saying is, back in 2001 he was hitting it farther (and more accurately) than now. with all the tech innovations with drivers in the past 9 years, it doesnt make sense why his distance hasnt increased like everone elses.

[Zeph]

Where does everyone get the notion that Tiger was the only one hitting it long in the beginning of this century? Take a look at the driving stats, he hasn't been the longest driver one time the last 10 years. He was up there with John Daly in the first couple of years, but from 2002 and onwards, the others has started driving it 290-300, which is what Tiger has averaged all the time.

Tiger's average in 2001 was 297, in 2009 it was 298.
Tiger's average in 2001 was 65%, in 2009 it was 64%.

What we don't see on those stats is the severity of a missed fairway. He used to be somewhere in the rough on a miss, usually a one-way miss. Today he's hitting it deep into the woods and got a two-way miss.

[colin007]

im not sure i understand. are you saying that it doesnt seem weird that his distance has stayed the same? hasnt the tour average gone up? hasnt tech increased for tiger as well as the other guys?