Equipment
Tiger Woods’ putter: A 101 guide to the Elder Wand
It’s arguably the most famous single club in golf history. Tiger Woods’ putter, a Scotty Cameron GSS Newport 2, has been involved in the bulk of every great golf scenario we have seen over the past two decades. 14 majors and 66 PGA Tour wins—scary thing to think about is if you divide both of those numbers with any number between 1-10, you have a great PGA Tour career.
It needs to be said that there was a Beta “Elder Wand” used in 1999. Same shape and model but with some minor adjustments to the stamping and the original was not GSS (German Stainless Steel).
In terms of specs, the head would be considered very light by today’s standards. At roughly a 326 grams, it’s short 10-30 grams of “modern spec.” At times, depending on what he’s doing with his stroke, TW will add a bit of lead tape to the back side for a unique head feel. A good amount of the paint peel on the back is from lead tape extraction (like you see below).
Back to the origin story: The legend goes that in 1999 after TW was struggling with his putting, he called on Scotty Cameron to dig in and find him something. The original non GSS model was almost ready to make its way to the 1999 Byron Nelson, but just before it was sent, Scotty noticed it may be 2-3 grams heavy, what did he do? We have that panic to thank for the now famous cherry bombs on the heel and the cavity of the putter (where Cameron drilled to remove weight). Well played.
Tiger didn’t win his first go around with the Elder Wand. He did shoot 61 (round one) in his first start with it and finished T-7. What happened after however was the biggest sport smackdown in modern history—and it lasted 10 years!
From time to time, Tiger Woods’ putter, the “Elder Wand,” will head to the Scotty Cameron spa for some touch up. I can’t imagine being tasked with doing anything to that putter. I mean, is it shipped FedEx? Logistically, how does it go from TW to anywhere without a Brinks truck?
In regards to the grip, traditionally it has had a PingMan (PP58) Black Out. Currently, it has an old Lamkin Pistol Cord, and for a short time had the Scotty Cameron equivalent of the PingMan. 
Tiger Woods’ putter: Specs
Scotty Cameron GSS Newport 2 Tri-Sole
Putter length: 35.25 inches
Loft: 3.5-4 degrees
Sight: Cherry red dot
Putter weight: 326 grams
Swing weight: D7
Putter material: German Stainless Steel
Grip: Lamkin Full Cord Pistol
Age: 22 years old
DOB: April/May 1999
Value: Priceless
Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.
That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.
On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.
“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”
On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”
“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.
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It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.
From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4
3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms
Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80
Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105
Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
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gery s katona
Feb 8, 2021 at 9:41 am
I hit a few putts with an identical back-up to this at Fairway Golf in San Diego about 15 years ago. It was for sale for $35K. I have to admit to being quite nervous holding it because of the value. I recall it feeling very soft.
Nack Jicklaus
Feb 7, 2021 at 9:52 pm
I like the sound of “Tont” wand better.
Chuck
Feb 7, 2021 at 10:36 am
What is the shaft in Tiger’s Cameron? I presume that the putter has never been reshafted. And for the most elite-of-elite putters, shafts make a huge difference. Weight, balance; even flex!
In the old days, there were cults built around things like the Wilson “Head Speed” shafts. I am quite sure that in his custom shop, Scotty has had requests to build putters with old Head Speed shafts inserted.
chip75
Feb 6, 2021 at 6:35 pm
What was the Anser Tiger used in ’98? I think it was a 2 variant.
Delbert
Feb 6, 2021 at 12:04 pm
Can you write about Ben Crenshaw’s Gentle Ben or Jack Nicklaus’ blade?
Die
Feb 6, 2021 at 2:07 am
“Elder wand”
Bill
Feb 5, 2021 at 8:48 pm
Johnny you have mental problems. You have done this article about 8 times
Tw
Feb 6, 2021 at 1:47 am
You probably read it all 8 times! Lol
youcorny
Feb 5, 2021 at 7:21 pm
stop calling it the “elder wand,” it’s beyond corny and makes me cringe
it’s a great scotty cameron newport 2 putter