Tiger Woods needs confidence, not new tech, in his putting game

Tiger Woods was spotted testing a new mallet putter at the Quicken Loans National. However, what he really needs is in his head, not in his bag.

Tiger Woods has been outstanding in his return to the PGA TOUR this year. While that doesn’t seem right on its face, it’s still true. Unfortunately, he’s faded in some big-time moments, and if he’s going to get back in the winner’s circle, there’s one key thing he needs to get right: his putter.

Woods was seen experimenting with a new putter in Tuesday’s practice session ahead of the Quicken Loans National. While that part isn’t shocking – Woods has used a handful of different putters throughout his career – the design was.

Woods was spotted practicing with a TaylorMade mallet putter at TPC Potomac, soon identified as the TP Ardmore 3. While Tiger has certainly been struggling mightily with his putting, could this be a desperation move?

After all, the advantages of a mallet (stability and control) are as much physical as they are mental. Perhaps he’s looking for a “quick fix” for a game that is so close to winning. Then again, maybe he’s just testing something different for the sake of his own curiosity. We’ll know soon enough, but the optics are certainly intriguing.

Tiger Woods needs confidence, not technology, to get back on top

Tiger’s affinity for the Ping Anser-style blade putter has been well-documented for years. He began his career, in fact, with the classic Anser 2 in the bag (something this author still plays to this day). He won his first Masters in 1997 with a Scotty Cameron TE i3, which boasts a strikingly similar design.

While the original Cameron was with him on that historic Sunday in Augusta, it was the Newport 2 GSS model that he employed to win his other 13 majors. He switched to a Nike Method model at the 2010 Open Championship, but when he returned from injury in 2016, he brought the Newport back with him.

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The relationship between a pro and his putter is unique. Tiger has such history – and such confidence – in his two major-winning putters that they’re the only ones in his collection that his kids can’t touch.

Of course, Tiger has won plenty of tournaments with other putters. Those two just have the best “feel” for him, that thing he can’t completely duplicate with anything else.

There’s no question that Woods has lost a ton due to poor putting this year. He ranks a mere 89th on the PGA TOUR in strokes gained: putting, and he finished 72nd (dead last) in the field at the Memorial Tournament in that same stat.

Still, he’s at least had flashes of competence, if not greatness at times. He putted well enough at The PLAYERS and at the Arnold Palmer Invitational to contend. He used the same putter at Bay Hill and TPC Sawgrass that he did at Muirfield Village and Shinnecock. The difference isn’t in his hands, it’s in his head.

I’m not Sean Foley, or Hank Haney. I’m certainly not Dr. Bob Rotella. But the evidence is clear – Tiger’s lack of confidence in his game is what’s holding him back.

Next: 2018 Quicken Loans National Power Rankings

As soon as Tiger starts seeing a few of those birdies drop, a few edge-burners falling in instead of lipping out, that’s when he’ll get going again. Does he really need a new putter to do that?

Only Tiger Woods himself can answer that question. But I don’t know what a new stick will give him that 13 majors can’t.

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