Tiger Woods currently uses a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS prototype putter. This is the same putter he has trusted for 14 of his 15 major championship victories. It has a Ping PP58 grip, a plumber’s neck hosel, and a head made from German Stainless Steel. The putter has a single red sight dot on the top line and “Tiger Woods” stamped in red on the back bumpers. A cherry bomb red dot sits on the heel of the face and in the back cavity.
The Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS Prototype
This putter is not a standard retail model. Scotty Cameron designed it specifically for Tiger. The “GSS” stands for German Stainless Steel, a material that was more dense and offered a different feel than the standard 303 stainless steel used in most Scotty Cameron putters. Scotty Cameron reserved this material almost exclusively for tour players.
The putter head has visible wear on the face from decades of use. A small area directly in the sweet spot has worn down because Tiger has hit millions of putts with it. The putter length is 35.5 inches, and it has a lie angle of 71 degrees. The head weight varies slightly depending on counterbalance needs, but it typically sits around 340 grams.
Why Tiger Keeps Returning to This Putter
Tiger has tried other putters multiple times. He switched to Nike Method putters from 2010 to 2016. He tested TaylorMade mallets in 2018. Each time, he came back to the Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS. The reason is simple: the feel is exactly what his hands expect.
The Ping PP58 grip plays a huge role. This is a vintage black rubber grip from the 1970s. Ping stopped making it years ago. Tiger has kept the same model on every putter he tries. If he cannot get that exact grip on a putter, he will not use it. The grip provides a specific texture and thickness that his hands have memorized.
The alignment also matters. Tiger prefers a single red dot on the top line rather than a line or two dots. This simple alignment aid lets him set the putter square to his target without visual clutter. Every putter he tries gets compared to this setup.
Timeline of Tiger Woods Putter Changes
The Amateur Era: Ping Anser 2
Tiger used a Ping Anser 2 Stainless Steel putter during his junior and collegiate years. He won the 1994 and 1995 U.S. Amateur championships with this putter. The Pingman stamp on the toe and “Ping” on the heel were the only markings. This putter taught him the feel of a classic Anser-style head.
The Odyssey and Early Scotty Period
For the 1996 NCAA Championship, Tiger used an Odyssey Dual Force 660 putter with a black face insert. This gave him a softer feel than the Ping. By the 1996 U.S. Amateur, he had switched to a Scotty Cameron Newport with a Pro Platinum finish. He used a controversial Scotty Cameron Scottydale putter for his first two PGA Tour wins in 1996.
The famous Scotty Cameron Newport TeI3 putter appeared at the 1997 Masters. It had a Teryllium face insert and white sound-dampening dots in the cavity. Tiger won his first major with this putter.
The GSS Era Begins (1999–2010)
In 1999, Tiger started using the Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS prototype. This putter defined his prime. He won 14 major championships with it between 1999 and 2008. The putter never left his bag during this stretch. He made no changes to the grip, weight, or finish.
The Nike Experiment (2010–2016)
When Nike entered the golf equipment market, Tiger switched to Nike Method putters. He bounced between the Method 001 (blade) and the Method 003 (mid-mallet). The mallet was shocking because Tiger had never used anything that looked like a mallet before. He won five times in 2013 using the Nike Method 001, but he did not win any major championships during this entire six-year period.
The TaylorMade Detour (2018)
After returning from back surgery, Tiger experimented with a TaylorMade TP Ardmore 3 mallet putter in 2018. He nearly won the 2018 PGA Championship with this putter, finishing runner-up to Brooks Koepka. He also tried a TaylorMade TP Black Copper Juno, which had a similar shape to the Newport 2. Neither putter stayed in the bag.
The Return Home (2019–Present)
Tiger put the Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS back in the bag for the 2018 Tour Championship, which he won. He kept it for the 2019 Masters, where he won his 15th major. The putter has remained in the bag ever since.
Can You Buy Tiger Woods Putter?
You cannot buy the exact putter Tiger uses. The GSS prototype is one of a kind. If it ever went to auction, experts estimate it would sell for eight figures due to its historical significance.
You can buy putters that are very similar to his. The Scotty Cameron Newport 2 is a retail version of the same head shape. The current Scotty Cameron Special Select Newport 2 is a direct descendant. These putters use standard 303 stainless steel instead of German Stainless Steel, but the shape and feel are close.
Some aftermarket shops can modify a retail Newport 2 to match Tiger’s specs. They can add the Ping PP58 grip, adjust the head weight, and stamp the putter with custom markings. Expect to pay between $400 and $600 for a custom build.
How Tiger Woods Putter Preferences Changed Over Time?
In his early career, Tiger was willing to experiment with different putters. He switched between Ping, Odyssey, and Scotty Cameron models within a few years. He was still learning what worked best for his stroke.
During his prime, Tiger refused to change anything. The putter stayed the same because it was working. He did not tinker with weight, grip, or alignment. This consistency removed one variable from his game.
After his back injuries, Tiger became open to technology. The mallet putters he tried in 2018 offered more stability and forgiveness. He admitted that his stroke had changed and that he needed help with the equipment. But the feel of the Scotty Cameron was something technology could not replace.
Now, Tiger uses the putter that feels like an extension of his hands. The technical advantages of modern putters do not matter as much as the trust he has in this specific putter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What putter did Tiger Woods use to win the 1997 Masters?
He used a Scotty Cameron Newport TeI3 putter with a Teryllium face insert and five rows of white sound-dampening dots in the back cavity.
What putter did Tiger Woods use in the 2019 Masters?
He used his current Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS prototype, the same putter he returned to after experimenting with the TaylorMade Ardmore 3 mallet in 2018.
What grip is on Tiger Woods putter?
He uses the Ping PP58 grip, a traditional black rubber grip from the 1970s that Ping no longer manufactures.
How much is Tiger Woods’ putter worth?
Experts estimate the putter would sell for eight figures at auction because of its role in 15 major championship victories.
What is the difference between a Tiger Woods putter and a standard Scotty Cameron Newport 2?
Tiger’s putter is made from German Stainless Steel instead of standard 303 stainless steel. It also has custom stamping, a single red sight dot, and specific weight and balance tailored to his stroke.