Remember when Tiger first turned pro? Remember, back in 1996 when he’d step up to the tee box on the first hole, pull out his driver and let fly a monster drive. Remember when that driver was an incredible 6.5°? Yeah, we do. Looks like the Tiger that we’re all anxiously awaiting to step onto the tee box tomorrow at Bethpage Black isn’t the same Tiger from 1996, which is to be expected, but what’s scary is, he is even Better.
Nike SQ Dymo 380 Driver at 10.5° To Be In Tiger’s Bag
That said, looks like some equipment rumors are circulating that once again, Tiger is going to deviate from his tried and true 9.5° that he’s used for the past two seasons, and once again use the 10.5° (10° effective playing loft) that he used at the Memorial to hit 14 of 14 fairways in his final round. 10.5° all the way up from 6.5°. Wow. When asked about it, Tiger was quick to joke:
“As far as my driver is concerned, as we all know, loft is your friend. The reason why you hit a 3-wood straighter is because it has more loft, and that helps. My release has changed over the years, and I just need a little bit more loft now. It’s working out and I’m driving the ball more efficiently. I still have the same power, but I just need the loft now…When I first came out here on Tour, I used a 6.5° driver, and now I’m up to 10.5°. Jeez, I’d hate to see what I’m going to hit when I turn 40. I wonder how that’s going to be. Maybe a 46″ driver, with about 15° of loft.”
While we seriously doubt that will EVER happen, it is interesting to see that Tiger is playing a much smarter approach to the U.S. Open and Bethpage Black. He knows the importance of accuracy on a course like Bethpage, and if he wants to repeat as champion and successfully defend his title, he’s got some work cut out for him.
Phil & Company Ready To Dethrone Tiger
How much work remains to be seen but one thing is for sure, he is facing one of the toughest fields in recent history. Everyone is going to be coming out blazing, and given the fact that Phil is playing on pure emotion, and supposedly saying he wants to win it all for his wife, Amy, he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with. Bottom line, we can’t wait for the first drives, the first putts and the first inklings of drama. Considering the fact that the already tough, already long Bethpage Black is going to feel even longer with soggy ground and rain in the forecast, things could get interesting. Again, we can’t wait.
(image via golf.com)
