Tiger Switching to Method Putter

[wolverine_man]

I tried the Method out a few months back and I was very impressed. First Nike club that I actually liked. For some reason, I've actually always wondered how Tiger would putt with a flanged 8802 style putter like Phil uses.

[Tiger Spuds]

Woods's Method 001 was built to match the specifications of his Cameron putter, with an identical lie angle, single alignment dot on the head and a Ping grip.

So, it's basically the same putter, with a swoosh on it. $$$$$$$$$$$

[motteler621]

So, it's basically the same putter, with a swoosh on it.

uhhh no it's not. The method putter has grooves causing the ball to start rolling faster, which increases speed, his scotty is flat faced causes more of a skip and roll. He learned to putt on fast greens and wants something to help him on slow greens, he really wants to win, and please Tiger woods has nike on a leash

[Joeyvee]

can i haz his old one, pls?

Im buying EVERY SC putter on ebay just in case he tosses his old one and someone ebays it. lol

[c. lassiter]

Some of you guys think that Nike convinced Tiger to switch putters after 11 years for money? That's laughable.

If he was happy with the old stick, he'd have stuck with it.

[nike_golf]

Some of you guys think that Nike convinced Tiger to switch putters after 11 years for money? That's laughable.

Sure, I can believe that.

BUT, to say there wasn't the possibility of a financial benefit to Tiger based on the putter change is naive.

[jamo]

So, it's basically the same putter, with a swoosh on it.

Not at all, it's just the same lie, alignment, and grip. If you (or me, or most people) were getting a new putter I would imagine you would want those things constant.

I don't think this is fishy or strange at all. Apparently he has been using it in practice rounds a lot, especially at the Masters. Nike has no reason to push Tiger because if for some reason he leaves them, Titleist or Taylor Made or Callaway will sign him in a matter of minutes. Then who does Nike have? They need Tiger mush more than Tiger needs them. Nike is still not thought of by everybody as top flight equipment, and if they loose Tiger they have a lot of ground to make up.

[nike_golf]

Nike has no reason to push Tiger because if for some reason he leaves them, Titleist or Taylor Made or Callaway will sign him in a matter of minutes. Then who does Nike have? They need Tiger mush more than Tiger needs them. Nike is still not thought of by everybody as top flight equipment, and if they loose Tiger they have a lot of ground to make up.

A year ago, you'd be right about the basis of Nike needing Tiger more than Tiger needs them. Today? Different story. And let's not forget that Tiger SHOULD/MIGHT feel a little gratitude towards Nike for sticking by him through his whole "ordeal". Gillette, AT&T;, Gatorade, etc. all dropped him like a bad habit. I really do believe Tiger appreciates Nike sticking w/ him, so I think he would have no problem making a putter change to make them even more happier. Again, that's pure speculation on my part.

What kind of drink do you see Tiger drinking on the course now? (Hint - It's not Gatorade) That's an example of the kind of guy Tiger is and what he thinks of companies and how they might treat him. And who are the big Titleist guys? Stricker? Love III? I think I'd put Cink, Casey, Glover, Kim, Duval, Schwartzel and Leonard up against the Titleist lineup. And the last point: The folks who still believe Nike makes inferior equipment are foolish and ignorant.

[jamo]

A year ago, you'd be right about the basis of Nike needing Tiger more than Tiger needs them. Today? Different story.

I don't think so. He is still the biggest cash cow in golf. When he plays in an event, they show his highlights on ESPN before even the winner. Mickelson missed a cut before the Masters, and last week, and Tiger's one missed cut is much bigger news than Phil's combined. And I'm only using Phil as an example because he is #2 in the world and the #2 money maker in golf. Tiger moves the needle more than anyone in the business.

And who are the big Titleist guys? Stricker? Love III? I think I'd put Cink, Casey, Glover, Kim, Duval, Schwartzel and Leonard up against the Titleist lineup.

Stricker, DL3, Scott, McIlroy, Z Johnson, Ogilvy, Fowler, Watney, Fisher, Karlsson. Plus all of the guys that just play their balls. Some are paid some not. A few (that I assume are paid because they are on Titleist's players page on their website) are Harrington, Westwood, Villegas, Donald, Poulter, Mahan, Perry, Stenson, Cabrera, Crane, Choi, Verplank.

And the last point: The folks who still believe Nike makes inferior equipment are foolish and ignorant.

I agree, but the mindset is still there for many people, and Nike has yet to overcome that totally WITH Tiger. Without him would be even harder.

Your opinion is your opinion, I'm just presenting mine with what I think backs it up.

[nike_golf]

I don't think so. He is still the biggest cash cow in golf. When he plays in an event, they show his highlights on ESPN before even the winner. Mickelson missed a cut before the Masters, and last week, and Tiger's one missed cut is much bigger news than Phil's combined. And I'm only using Phil as an example because he is #2 in the world and the #2 money maker in golf. Tiger moves the needle more than anyone in the business.

Yes, he's easily the most popular face in golf, I'll never think/say any different. However, w/ Tiger you now have the added baggage PLUS all the money it would take to pay him. Would all the other golf companies "risk" their image to get him and pay him all that money? I'm not so sure.

Stricker, DL3, Scott, McIlroy, Z Johnson, Ogilvy, Fowler, Watney, Fisher, Karlsson. Plus all of the guys that just play their balls. Some are paid some not. A few (that I assume are paid because they are on Titleist's players page on their website) are Harrington, Westwood, Villegas, Donald, Poulter, Mahan, Perry, Stenson, Cabrera, Crane, Choi, Verplank.

Yeah. Obviously I left a few Titleist guys out. You make a fair point in regards to that, but my point of Nike having a pretty strong lineup themselves still stands. And Titleist pays a lot to have their ball as the most used on tour. Besides, we don't even need to compare Titleist to Nike.

I agree, but the mindset is still there for many people, and Nike has yet to overcome that totally WITH Tiger. Without him would be even harder.

I disagree to an extent. The reason Nike has had a hard time making people believers is that they're simply still relatively new to golf. Nike basically splashed into golf by signing Tiger in 2000 and then got serious w/ equipment. So, it's barely been a decade w/ them in golf. Throw in the fact that some of Nike's equipment designs have been and are non-traditional, many golfers simply won't go for Nike equipment. So, even though Nike makes equipment comparable to ANYONE else's, there will be many who simply won't either believe it or won't even want to give it a shot.

[Cussin hacker]

Sounds like a lot of overreaction to anything Tiger does these days. He changed putters....the world is coming to an end. Maybe he really likes the method better.

[TarDawg]

I'm not ripping on him, i just find it odd that it has been impossible to tear away the 1 non Nike club from his bag since he signed with them to all of the sudden switching to one.

Personally I think it's his way of saying thanks to Nike for not ditching him the way his other sponsers did... How many Tiger fans do you think are out right now searching for a Method putter... Hell I'm even on Ebay looking for one..

[adamgoodman]

Sounds like a lot of overreaction to anything Tiger does these days. He changed putters....the world is coming to an end. Maybe he really likes the method better.

Rumor has it Tiger is switching barbers...

[nike_golf]

Personally I think it's his way of saying thanks to Nike for not ditching him the way his other sponsers did... How many Tiger fans do you think are out right now searching for a Method putter... Hell I'm even on Ebay looking for one..

Which, in a nutshell, is/was my main point.

[2bGood]

This is anything but "all of a sudden". Several of his practice rounds at the Masters he played with the Method.

Yes and to be honest I am don't think he can afford to "burn" nike right now. We can all understand why he would stick with his long time scotty, but if he was to switch to Ping

(or whatever) putter now, that woudl look real bad for nike.

[Titleist_ProV1x]

Rumor has it Tiger is switching barbers...

I thought it was women?

[Cussin hacker]

Rumor has it Tiger is switching barbers...

Now that would be a world ender !!!!!

[Didge1264]

Tiger talks about adjustment for the pace of the greens- he doesn't need as much with the Method- what happens when he plays the faster US greens, - he's going to have to make a big "adjustment" with the "hot" Method face- or maybe go back to the SC......