04/25/24
June 08, 2006
So it really was the putter that deralied Tiger at the Masters: All is right in the world now that Tiger Woods has had his putter fixed. All those missed putts on Sunday at Augusta are now a distant memory, or so he hopes.
posted by donnnnychris to golf at 04:55 AM - 22 comments
When all else fails? That's always my first resort (couldn't possibly be MY fault I'm not playing well). I've noticed a flaw in my own SC putter (recently purchased for a song on eBay). Last night, we finished at just gone 10PM and the light was less than ideal. The 3X matt finish on the top and back of the putter had done admirably and eradicated glare while the sun was still up, but by the end I couldn't see the head to line up my putt at the last. Let that be a lesson to you all. Always carry a 3X and a pro platinum (or a miner's lamp).
posted by JJ at 08:10 AM on June 08, 2006
Even with all Tiger's success, it's still what's between the ears that will make the difference. Just him thinking his putter has had some slight adjustments is probably enough of a mental boost to help him on the greens. I'm sure being preoccupied with his father's final days impacted his concentration just as much.
posted by dyams at 09:28 AM on June 08, 2006
It ain't the arrow, It's the Indian.
posted by jaygolf at 09:59 AM on June 08, 2006
"He restored it to its original state, and I've been putting great ever since," Woods said Wednesday. I'd love to know what the devil he's talking about.
posted by littleLebowski at 11:32 AM on June 08, 2006
Sometimes, them putters need to die, too. I prefer drowning as the best manner of execution, but if a water hazard isn't handy, the ol' snap over the knee suffices.
posted by mjkredliner at 11:54 AM on June 08, 2006
"Original state" means factory loft and lie measurements, or, in Tigers case, whatever Scotty Cameron set them at for him.
posted by mjkredliner at 12:03 PM on June 08, 2006
littleL - Scotty Cameron presumably melted it down and returned it to the earth from which the core materials were mined. Or he checked and re-set the loft, lie and length. Hard to see how the last of those three could change, but the loft and lie can change over time, especially if, like Tiger, you're fond of slapping your putter every time you miss a putt. I once threw my putter in the air having missed a short putt. As it descended, I kicked out at it and caught it right at the springiest point of the shaft, causing the club to fly a good thirty feet up a tree. I decided to leave it there (it was my home course) as a reminder to myself of how childish my behaviour had been so I wouldn't do it again. Much to the amusement of some people, the putter eventually came down a year and a half later when I had another fit of rage (having missed a very similar putt) and threw my new putter at the old one (and both came down). Three weeks later, I won a tournament with the old club (after I'd had it restored to its original state).
posted by JJ at 12:06 PM on June 08, 2006
Maybe if I throw my clubs in a tree for a year I can improve my game as well. At this point it couldn't hurt.
posted by Debo270 at 12:22 PM on June 08, 2006
Ha Ha JJ, good story. I once had an opponent, who, after fluffing a chip pretty badly, flung his wedge with such authority that it flew about 60 yards into deep rough (In this part of Texas, deep rough means cactus, yucca, mesquite, and rattlesnakes). When I asked if he would like to throw a provisional club, he said he did and promptly threw the remaining clubs into the rough with it! Not a gentlemanly way to win a bet, but what the hell!
posted by mjkredliner at 12:37 PM on June 08, 2006
One time while on the course, I saw a man walking towards us that had teed off 2 groups ahead. As he was walking by us, (with a very disgusted look), I asked "what’s wrong??" He said "nothing just going home" We said, "Where are your clubs" He said "in the lake on the 4th" and just kept on moving. I guess we will need to restore those clubs to their original state too!!
posted by Debo270 at 12:57 PM on June 08, 2006
Good point about the loft and lie, JJ. I had a hunch that was what he was getting at, but figured it was a big assumption that a pro would let that get out of whack (or be the REASON it got out of whack). And, good stories from both you and mjk.
posted by littleLebowski at 01:06 PM on June 08, 2006
Golf clubs are delicate instruments, the loft and lie change gradualy over time,even with just normal play. The shaft flex also becomes looser, and allows more twist, and the grips become worn. they should be tuned up at least once a year. In my case, being left handed, its usually cheaper just to buy new. at least thats the line i feed my wife, and sofar she's none the wiser
posted by yankee0758 at 01:30 PM on June 08, 2006
after fluffing a chip pretty badly Is that like... warming the chip up, or what?
posted by everett at 01:43 PM on June 08, 2006
I hear that costs extra.
posted by Debo270 at 01:46 PM on June 08, 2006
This comes from the redliner dictionary of golf: Unauthorized use without the express, written consent of mjkredliner blah blah blah.... fluff: (V) an event that occurs when a ball is sitting up in high grass, causing the golfers club to pass under the ball to far, advancing it much to short a distance, resulting in another chance to fluff another pitch, or chip.
posted by mjkredliner at 02:21 PM on June 08, 2006
.......or overcompensate for the next shot, causing the classic blade into the bunker across the green
posted by yankee0758 at 02:40 PM on June 08, 2006
/appending dictionary....
posted by mjkredliner at 03:33 PM on June 08, 2006
The clubs are not nearly as fragile or delicate as those who use them. Of course it is much easier to blame the clubs than the real source of the problem.
posted by Atheist at 03:52 PM on June 08, 2006
It's called anger, boy. And, you might like it, Atheist, as it is usually accompanied by much blasphemy and gnashing of teeth. And, besides, I figure if VCR's are disposable nowadays, so are $200 putters. Seriously pal, I was only making a joke about the public executions of my putters. (I bleed 'em to death on an alter at midnight)
posted by mjkredliner at 04:06 PM on June 08, 2006
JJ has a home course?! Unless he's talking about Tiger Woods 2006... just how fucking rich is he?! :o
posted by hincandenza at 09:04 PM on June 08, 2006
The clubs are not nearly as fragile or delicate as those who use them. Of course it is much easier to blame the clubs than the real source of the problem. I think Atheist has a good point - there was probably nothing wrong with Tiger's putter, but if he got it in his head that something was amiss, a good way to get rid of that feeling was to send the putter back to Scotty Cameron and have him "fix" it. It's the golfing equivalent of kissing it better. If you were talking about the rest of us - I can only speak for myself in saying that I used to be a complete basket case (mentally) on the golf course. I kid myself these days that I've grown up, but really I just don't play as much as I used to, so I don't notice it so much. Hal - I'm Brewstered.
posted by JJ at 04:04 AM on June 09, 2006
Just like me. When all else fails, buy a new club.