Tiger Woods "Slam" irons sold? I don't believe it

[majorchamp]

I find it incredibly hard to believe that a set of irons that Tiger used during a span of time considered to be the best in golf history were given to an ex titleist employee as a gift.

http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2010/0...-irons-sold-k/

It seems everybody at Nucci's Italian Cafe knows Steve Mata. He lives down the street. He comes here all the time. Now might be a time for celebration, but Mata is subdued, thoughtful. He wonders about the future. For a pricetag of $57,242.40, Mata just sold a set of 11 Titleist irons and wedges that once belonged to Tiger Woods. Mata says they were used by Woods to win the Tiger Slam in 2000 and 2001. Woods says otherwise, but a few touring pros have supported Mata's story. Announcement of the sale, coming on Sept. 12 from Green Jacket Auctions, caught many observers by surprise. Mata was asking $250,000. It was widely assumed he would hold out for a six-figure bid (the name of the successful bidder was not released). "It's time to put this behind me and move on," Mata said. "I need to find a job. I'm dedicated to golf. I'm a great employee. I know what I'm doing. I work hard." Two years ago Mata lost his job as Titleist's director of tour operations. He and two other men were accused of inappropriate speech in the presence of a woman. Mata admitted he laughed at off-color jokes but insisted he personally did not make vulgar wisecracks or use any offensive language. He added the woman was not visible to the three men. They didn't know she was there. Mata worked more than 20 years in the golf industry in nearby Carlsbad, the unofficial capital of American golf club manufacturing. He started out with TaylorMade, then went with Titleist. He was not an import. He grew up here. His father, Tony, was the principal building inspector for the city of Carlsbad and became a beloved figure often called "Mr. Carlsbad" by local residents. "My father taught me to be honest and never to lie," Mata said. "The truth is that those irons were used by Tiger when he won the Slam." After the irons and wedges went on sale, Woods claimed he used two different sets during the Slam, adding both sets were at his residence. Mata and touring pro Greg Kraft stated flatly that Woods gave the clubs, used in the Slam, to Mata as a gift. This occurred in 2001 after Mata delivered a new set of Titleist clubs to Woods. A short time later in 2002, Woods switched to Nike clubs. "You know, this has taken a toll," Mata said. "My integrity is everything to me. To have that questioned in any way is not easy. I still want to be part of the golf industry. I know golf. I've been around the game and around Carlsbad my whole life."

[Zeph]

I can believe that the clubs were Tiger's, but if he used them during the slam or not is another story.

Here is the auction: http://www.greenjacketauctions.com/s...sp?itemid=6890

I was a bit surprised at how low the wear marks from the ball were.

[majorchamp]

I can believe that the clubs were Tiger's, but if he used them during the slam or not is another story.

wow..I may have to retract my original statements. Wonder why Tiger would deny it though?

[colin007]

I was a bit surprised at how low the wear marks from the ball were.

this surprised me as well, i thought they would be at least a groove or two higher.

[jamo]

My guess is that they were Tiger's practice clubs or something. I bet they were his, but I have trouble believing that he would give away clubs he used on the majors. Then again, they could be the clubs that he used for the first 3 majors, and Tiger has the one from the final one because it was the following year. Doesn't the guy have some sworn testimony or something? Still hard to believe.

[kafka01]

If they are his irons - most likely his practice irons. But something is weird - when looking at the wear on the iron head - okay he probably has a really close pattern but when you have this kind of wear on an iron you hit quite some balls with it (i was looking through golfwrx picture threads searching for similiar wear marks and found absolutly nothing - most of them had very new irons without wear and the rest had a way wider impact pattern), and shouldnt there be also small wear marks from taking divots? Its almost as if somebody scratch that little circle on and let it rust for a bit...

[Shorty]

I was a bit surprised at how low the wear marks from the ball were.

The wear marks are exactly where they should be. Where else would you expect them to be unless he was using a tee? Good players hit the ball first.

I would say that he used the 8 iron for tens of thousands of shots while he was working on something. You aren't going to get even wear throughout the bag.

[Zeph]

The wear marks are exactly where they should be. Where else would you expect them to be unless he was using a tee? Good players hit the ball first.

Just saying they are lower than I imagined...

[michaeljames92]

Just saying they are lower than I imagined...

I reckon. They don't look right to me.

[Williamevanl]

I also thought they seemed to low. Good players do catch the ball first obviously but I thought it was with the shaft leaning forward and the ball coming off the center of the club. I mean isn't that the basis for the tour striker training aid.

Imagine that impact spot with the tour striker pro.

[golfro]

The wear marks are exactly where they should be. Where else would you expect them to be unless he was using a tee? Good players hit the ball first.

They hit the ball first on a descending blow...so usually the wear mark will be about 1/3 way up the club head...or a couple grooves up from where the picture shows. I've checked my clubs after pured shots and they are certainly not that low on the club face. I've also seen my friend's clubs who is a +2 and plays mini tours and they are not that low.

[iacas]

They're not too low, people. Tiger's low point is, what, six inches in front of the golf ball?

[Williamevanl]

They're not too low, people. Tiger's low point is, what, six inches in front of the golf ball?

Okay, well then I'm further confused. What would happen if Tiger hit the pro tour striker club?

[golfro]

Okay, well then I'm further confused. What would happen if Tiger hit the pro tour striker club?

the earth would shatter and the world would end.

[colin007]

the earth would shatter and the world would end.

what would chuck norris do?

[golfro]

what would chuck norris do?

regather the pieces and start the world all over again.

[SandSpanker]

Here is a thought. I've seen a picture of Tiger at the 2000 British open He is wearing a Nike hat and Nike shirt. When did he switch to Nike clubs???

[iacas]

Here is a thought. I've seen a picture of Tiger at the 2000 British open He is wearing a Nike hat and Nike shirt. When did he switch to Nike clubs???

He was using Titleist irons (and more) in 2000-2001, to answer the real question you're asking.