When it comes to golf, few names resonate as profoundly as Tiger Woods. An icon of the game, Tiger’s influence spans decades, inspiring countless players and fans worldwide. In this detailed exploration of Tiger Woods’ 2025 golf bag, we dive deep into the clubs, shafts, wedges, and unique preferences that shape his legendary setup. From his first look at the new TaylorMade Qi35 driver to his trusted wedge configuration, this article unpacks every element and insight Tiger shared about his game and equipment.
Table of Contents
- Introduction to the 2025 Setup
- The TaylorMade Qi35 Driver: Forgiveness Meets Performance
- Why Tiger Sticks to a Shorter Tee Height
- Shaft Selection: The Balance Between Flex and Control
- Irons and Grooves: The Science of Spin and Control
- Wedges: Precision, Spin, and Consistency
- The Wooden Dowel Experiment and Iron Shaft Assembly
- Fairway Woods and Driving Irons: Versatility and Adaptation
- Alignment and Final Touches
- Conclusion: The Art and Science Behind Tiger’s Bag
- FAQ
Introduction to the 2025 Setup
This year, Tiger Woods is testing the new TaylorMade Qi35 driver, among other clubs, marking a significant evolution in his equipment. Despite the changes, Tiger remains true to many of his long-standing preferences, such as his shorter tee height and specific shaft choices. His attention to detail and deep understanding of his gear offer invaluable lessons for golfers aiming to optimize their own bags.
The TaylorMade Qi35 Driver: Forgiveness Meets Performance
Tiger’s first impressions of the Qi35 driver are overwhelmingly positive. He highlights the exceptional forgiveness of the club, noting it performs just as well as his gamer in terms of ball speed but offers better control on mishits, especially on the heel side, which is crucial for him.
“One of the things I noticed from the difference in the Qi35 is the forgiveness. It’s just as hot as my gamer, but the slight miss hits on my heel side… is not running as much. It’s hanging in there, which is great.”
He appreciates the cleaner look at address, with a simple logo that doesn’t distract his eyes from the leading edge and the ball. This visual focus helps him maintain concentration during shots.
Another technical aspect Tiger mentioned is the projected center of gravity (CG) placement, which is slightly lower than before. This adjustment supports higher launch shots with a cutting shape, something Tiger favors.
“Having a sweet spot that’s lower… I tend to gravitate to a lower tee setting… and hit it off the heel to keep it in play. The fact that I’m going to be able to get more carry out of that shot… I’m able to get like a squeezer and a hot one.”
This translates into more distance and better control, especially when facing wind conditions. Tiger also notes the driver allows him to turn the ball efficiently when teeing up, a feature that was eye-opening to him during testing.
Why Tiger Sticks to a Shorter Tee Height
While many players have shifted to higher tee heights, Tiger remains loyal to his traditional, shorter tee. This choice is deeply ingrained in his playing style, providing better control and feel.
“It’s just what I have always played. My entire life. The higher tees for me, I have a hard time getting a lot of the mass underneath it and then swinging out to the right. I like feeling more on top of it and covering it.”
He explains that higher tee heights force him to move the ball further up in his stance, which offsets his natural swing and leads to less consistency. Instead, Tiger prefers a more compact setup that allows him to hit controlled shots, particularly his favored draw.
An interesting tidbit is Tiger’s use of an original Ohio State tee bag from 1995, which he still uses to this day, showing his attachment to tradition and consistency in his routine.
Shaft Selection: The Balance Between Flex and Control
Tiger has experimented with various shaft manufacturers over the years but reveals a long-standing affinity for Mitsubishi shafts, particularly one with an orange top he has used before.
As Tiger’s swing speed has decreased with age, he has shifted toward stiffer shafts to help maintain distance and control. He emphasizes the importance of spin management, explaining that he has always been good at reducing spin and prefers a shaft that complements this aspect of his game.
“I love the butt stiffness, but I also like the little bit of play at the bottom. I tend to gravitate towards this because it is a slightly hotter shaft. The kick is not quite as much, but also then again it’s the settings on the club head too.”
Irons and Grooves: The Science of Spin and Control
Tiger’s irons are a blend of P-770 for the longer irons and P7-CB for the shorter irons and wedges, featuring a unique groove design that enhances spin. He explains that the four, five, and six irons have slightly different offsets compared to the seven, eight, and nine irons, with tungsten weights strategically placed to optimize performance.
“Spin has always been my friend. I can always take spin off. It’s brutal to put spin on. The fact that we have a shallower face and more grooves, I liked that over my career.”
This groove design proved especially beneficial in wetter conditions, allowing for better ball grab and softer landings. Tiger stresses that he prefers a ball with plenty of spin rather than a “hot ball” that rolls excessively.
Interestingly, Tiger never adopted square grooves, even when they were popular among players, sticking with his preferred groove style throughout his career.
Wedges: Precision, Spin, and Consistency
Tiger’s wedge setup has been remarkably consistent over the years, favoring a 56-degree and a 60-degree wedge with little variation regardless of tournament or course conditions.
“I’ve been playing these lofts maybe since I was 11 or 12. I have literally never switched or changed. I do change bounces here and there, but the lofts never change.”
He explains that he uses the 56-degree wedge most of the time and opens it up to around 70 degrees for shots around the green. Tiger also highlights the importance of swing weight and bounce, mentioning his wedges are typically set to D8 swing weight for optimal feel and control.
In the past, Tiger went through multiple wedges a year, often rotating between six to eight sets to maintain the precise bounce and feel he required. This dedication underlines the fine margins at the highest level of golf.
The Wooden Dowel Experiment and Iron Shaft Assembly
Tiger confirms a long-rumored practice of doweling his irons to improve feel and consistency. Working with Mike, his club fitter, Tiger tested numerous irons to find the perfect match and then had them copied for his set.
“I like the dampening of it. It’s almost like feel a sensei core, but your weight. I had that feel and the softness of it and I became adept to feel that in my hands.”
He also sheds light on his grip preferences, revealing he uses BCT grips and often sands them down to the perfect size, especially on his right hand, which is closer to the clubhead. This meticulous attention to detail helps maintain a consistent feel and control in his swing.
Fairway Woods and Driving Irons: Versatility and Adaptation
Tiger has recently started testing the new Qi35 fairway woods and expresses particular enthusiasm for the 3-wood. He values the ease of getting the ball airborne and the ability to shape shots with it, especially draws that hold against the wind.
“I tend to use my 3-wood for a lot of driving… I have to be able to bend it. I have to be able to draw it.”
He also includes a 5-wood in his bag for distance and versatility, especially from the rough. Tiger no longer plays a 2-iron regularly, except in rare cases like the Open Championship, but includes a 7-iron driving iron as a helpful tool for certain situations.
With the progression of golf balls becoming harder and faster, Tiger has adjusted his equipment accordingly, moving towards a harder ball and using his driving iron to compensate for lost swing speed.
Alignment and Final Touches
One of the lesser-known aspects Tiger emphasizes is the importance of alignment in his setup. He uses longer iron shafts laid down on the ground to help him visualize and maintain proper alignment without needing to bend over excessively.
“I’ve realized how important alignment is… This is longer so I don’t have to bend over as much, right? So I don’t have to redo my lines as much.”
This simple yet effective tool is part of his routine to ensure consistency and precision before every shot.
Conclusion: The Art and Science Behind Tiger’s Bag
Tiger Woods’ 2025 golf bag is a masterclass in blending tradition with innovation. His unwavering commitment to certain elements like tee height, wedge lofts, and grip feel demonstrates the power of consistency. Meanwhile, his openness to new technology like the Qi35 driver and fairway woods shows his adaptability and pursuit of improvement.
Every piece of equipment in Tiger’s bag has a purpose, honed through decades of experience and a relentless quest for performance. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a passionate fan, understanding the intricacies of Tiger’s setup offers valuable insights into the mind and methods of one of golf’s greatest players.
FAQ
Why does Tiger Woods prefer a shorter tee height?
Tiger prefers a shorter tee height because it allows him to feel more on top of the ball and maintain better control. Higher tees force him to move the ball further up in his stance, which disrupts his swing path and leads to inconsistency.
How often does Tiger change his wedges?
During his full-time playing days, Tiger changed his wedges roughly every month and a half to two months. He rotated multiple sets to maintain the perfect bounce and feel, often having them reblasted by his club fitter.
What shaft does Tiger prefer for his driver?
Tiger gravitates toward Mitsubishi shafts that offer butt stiffness with some play at the bottom. As his swing speed has decreased, he has moved towards stiffer shafts to help maintain distance and control.
Does Tiger use square grooves on his irons?
No, Tiger never used square grooves, even when they were popular. He stuck with his preferred groove design that offers better spin and control, especially in wet conditions.
What is the significance of the wooden dowel in Tiger’s irons?
The wooden dowel is part of Tiger’s iron fitting process, used to enhance feel and consistency. He tested many irons with doweling to find the best match and then replicated that setup for his set, appreciating the dampening effect it provides.
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This article was created from the video Tiger Woods – What’s In The Bag 2025 with the help of AI.
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