News
Tiger Woods cleared by doctor to return to golf
A day after Tiger Woods posted video of himself hitting driver, and six months after the golfer’s fourth back surgery, Woods’ fans are getting some very good news.
Woods’ agent, Mark Steinberg, told ESPN’s Bob Harig Monday he’s been cleared to resume full golf activities.
“He got a nice report and is allowed to proceed,” Steinberg said. “He can do as much as he needs to do. Tiger is going to take this very, very slowly. This is good, but he plans to do it the right way.”
According to Woods’ agent, the golfer isn’t experiencing any pain as he ramps up his practice routine. Stenberg, however, was predictably mum on when the 14-time major champion could return to golf.
“We have not even talked about it,” Steinberg said. “We will see what each day brings, what each week brings.”
As recently as the Presidents Cup three weeks ago, Woods was limited to short wedge shots, so the pace of his progression from that point, and apparent lack of pain, are both excellent signs.
However, as Steinberg said, reading the tea leaves is premature at this point, although assuming Woods would like to be back in action by the Masters is a safe bet.
The 41-year-old hasn’t teed it up since withdrawing prior to the second round of the Dubai Desert Classic in February.
In our forums, one user is wondering how many birdies other players have had in a round while still failing to break par. @Lalan45, unfortunately, asked the question after a unique experience of their own.
They wrote:
“Today I managed 8 birdies but still shot even par, could have been a round to remember! What’s the most birdies you’ve made in a round and still didn’t break par?”
Our members in the forum shared their own experiences with successful rounds that still resulted in a score over par. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- kwcsports: “I’ve had 5 a few times, still shot 80+ haha.”
- jda: “I played a course for the first time, had 8 birdies, 9 doubles and an eagle. The infamous no-par round. I kept the scorecard. Every shot had a creek that I did not know about, or I was within 8-10 feet for a birdie look. To this day, I have no idea if I should be really jacked up or mad about that performance.”
- jvincent: “I think my record is either 5 or 6. Probably shot 75.”
- Instron4204: “3 birdies and shot a 92…man I suck!”
In our forums, one user is asking for thoughts on the best stock shafts offered in 2026. Stock shafts are the shafts included with a club when it’s purchased from retailers or OEMs.
@DTorres asked:
The last couple years has seen a lot of updates and additions to no upcharge stock shafts, which do you think is the best offering in 2026?
Im a bit of a shaft nerd and recently during my Members Testing with the Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond I found the updated Project X Denali Frost Black to be a fantastic stock shaft. I absolutely did not mesh well with the original Denali. Just curious what other people think are the current best Stock shaft offerings out with new models and stock Ventus options and LinQ options popping up here and there.
We were given the option for any stock shafts for our members review. I went with the 70g Black Frost 6.5 because it’s a shaft I don’t have, it’s an updated version of the original Denali and hear little about. I typically use a Diamana WB, GD VF or a HOF Raptor. I’m not saying it was neck and neck with any of those but it was a pleasant surprise I’m not accustomed to in stock shaft offerings.
Our members in the forum have been offering up their own thoughts on the best stock shafts available in 2026. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- rsballer10: “IMO – MCA Ka’ili White Darkwave, Tensei 1k Black/white, UST Lin-Q White. People are free to spend their money however they see fit, but for me personally the shaft catalogs these days have enough options that I don’t see the value of a $400 upcharge. I have never had a problem finding a no upcharge shaft that fits the bend profile and weight that I need. Whether the paint job is good enough or not is above my pay scale.”
- bcflyguy1: “Project X Titan Black. I’ve had one in 60TX in my Quantum TD Max for several weeks now. Have to give Titlieist their flowers for finding a way to make it available as a featured option; very shrewd bit of business and one that I suspect will be duplicated by the other companies. TT/PX have a certified banger on their hands with Titan.”
- CTG77: “Undoubtedly, it’s the Tensei 1K RIP shafts from Titleist. The Tensei line gives about 98% of the performance of a Ventus VeloCore+ shaft at a tiny fraction of the cost if you’re looking for a blue or red profile. The white is not an exact match for Ventus Black, but it’s closer to it than the non-VeloCore+ Ventus shafts that come from Callaway or formerly came from TaylorMade.”
A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.
As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.
Let’s get to the gifts.
Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo
We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.
STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover
If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.
Why Golf: Putting Thing
When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.
OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes
Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!
Therabody Theragun Relief
A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down.
World Cup golf apparel
Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.
FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes
Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.
Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker
Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.
Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls
The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!
- GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
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mlecuni
Oct 19, 2017 at 4:01 am
Hate him or Love him
In the end, let his golf’s legacy talk for him
etc.
Oct 19, 2017 at 2:53 pm
His legacy? Elin swinging a 9-iron!
RMF
Oct 19, 2017 at 4:21 pm
More 14 majors, becoming the highest paid sporting personality, transcending his sport, inspiring a new generation of golfers, modernizing the game
I could go on and on and on….
Tom54
Oct 18, 2017 at 9:26 pm
The real issue is whether Tiger will return and be a ceremonial golfer. I just can’t see him playing if he doesn’t think he can be a factor out on tour anymore. It would be nice if he could play without pain (and excuses) for a year or two then he can assess his future on tour. Takes a lot of hard work to maintain a game at that level. I for one hope he can give it a whirl anyway.
Jack Nash
Oct 18, 2017 at 2:51 pm
Let The Chipping Yips begin!
johnnied
Oct 18, 2017 at 12:49 pm
The spinal fusion means less rotation, meaning slower swing speed. To keep up with the big boys he’ll want to make that up which’ll put additional stress to the area right above where the fusion occurred, and then he’ll need another fusion. He needs to be more accurate, not longer.
I predict that Tiger will get back in the game but only for a short time until his back goes out again. Ask anybody who’s had that operation.
William Pierce
Oct 18, 2017 at 12:42 pm
This song is a real toe tapper! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrudlJ9x4WA
Bob Jones
Oct 18, 2017 at 12:11 pm
Geez. This is like the umpteenth return of Freddy Krueger. Enough already! What is professional golf lacking now that having TW playing would fix? Somebody please explain that to me. And exactly how will a diminished TW getting run over like a speeding truck by strong players almost half his age going to be “good for the game of golf?”
RMF
Oct 19, 2017 at 8:42 am
Well the basic premise of Tiger being good for the game is that he is the most recognizable figure in the world of golf, he is the player who took the game to popularity levels never seen before.
He also is one of the hardest working athlete in the world. Now whether at 41 with surgeries he would be able to compete with DJ, Thomas, Spieth, Rors, Rahm etc is another thing. Oh and the fusion surgery he had is pretty much the same surgery a chap called Davis Love III had… he was unable to compete after surgery… wait he won the Wyndham at the age of 51…
If you do not like him that’s fine, I have yet to see one commentator/golfer/friend/associate or sentient being say he needing to return to save the game of golf because as you alluded it doesn’t need saved, but he is certainly good for the game and it would be ignorant to think otherwise.
etc.
Oct 19, 2017 at 3:02 pm
Good for the game? You mean like Kaepernick or Magic Johnson?
RMF
Oct 19, 2017 at 4:26 pm
Why is Kaepernick bad for the game? he is right to protest against what he feels is unfair system… Isn’t America meant to be a country of free speech?
or is it the land where Money is speech taking a knee is disrespectful
MB
Oct 18, 2017 at 3:17 am
Hurts to just watch him plant on that left leg and you can still see he’s not sure if he should as he squeezes his cheeks when he pulls his club back
Eldrick T
Oct 18, 2017 at 3:40 am
Not cheeks, but gluteus. Get it right. But I don’t have much gluteus to squeeze, is why I look like I squeeze my cheeks to get my knees closer
larry
Oct 17, 2017 at 8:33 pm
looser please don’t come back
RMF
Oct 18, 2017 at 5:05 am
You go first, Tiger is the GOAT and will return… If you don’t like it don’t read articles written about him and comment on them
chinchbugs
Oct 18, 2017 at 7:22 am
Please explain to those of us less educated what a looser is. Thanks!
candidresponses
Oct 18, 2017 at 9:37 pm
And I was so sure someone of your intellectual stature would know the difference between a “loser” and “looser.” How sad that an internet troll such as Larry here wouldn’t know the difference.
M. Vegas
Oct 17, 2017 at 7:04 pm
Let the appearance fee action start…
Do I hear $8 million?
M. Vegas
Oct 17, 2017 at 7:05 pm
*auction
Pete
Oct 17, 2017 at 6:40 pm
I am not a Tiger fan but I do hope that he is able to comeback and be competitive. It will be good for the game of golf.
Eldrick T
Oct 18, 2017 at 3:41 am
I just want to get out there and see if I can pick up any more ladies, to see if I still got it. I’m not that ugly
nyguy
Oct 17, 2017 at 3:53 pm
yawn…
Andrew
Oct 17, 2017 at 3:07 pm
Steinberg needs his meal tickets and toilet paper dollars, Tiger. Hurry back. The tribe needs you.
etc.
Oct 17, 2017 at 6:03 pm
Steinburg and Weinstein too….
Mike C
Oct 17, 2017 at 2:16 pm
Here is why I think Tiger will play very well when he comes back and gets enough tournaments under his belt. The area where his fusion took place S1 to L5 there is almost zero rotation. So it should have no real effect on his ability to make a golf swing. This surgery should and apparently has left him pain free. We haven’t seen a Tiger Woods without debilitating nerve pain since he went down on his knees during the 2013 Fedex cup playoffs. The last time Tiger was truly healthy was 4 years ago and he was player of the year and #1 in the official world golf rankings. He doesn’t have to win 5+ times a year and regain his #1 ranking for this comeback to be deemed successful. He only has to to be 80% the player he was just 4 years ago. That seems very possible. Good luck Tiger.
golfreality
Oct 17, 2017 at 2:52 pm
80% and hell be playing web.com events
etc.
Oct 17, 2017 at 5:59 pm
Spinal fusion from S1 to L5 means he will have problems mounting and pumping the jam. He will have to take it on his back, otherwise he will jeopardize his spine and golf swing.
Elin’s schadenfreude? LOL
cgasucks
Oct 17, 2017 at 8:49 am
I really hope that he comes back and stays there. I don’t expect him to win every 3rd tournament like the old days but I do like to see him be on the first page of the leaderboard most of the time.
LD
Oct 17, 2017 at 9:46 am
Good luck with that.
Steve Sands
Oct 16, 2017 at 10:25 pm
Please take your time Tiger. We all want to see you back, and preferably making a healthy run.
etc.
Oct 19, 2017 at 3:00 pm
IOW…. the Champions Tour?
ACTUAL FACTS
Oct 16, 2017 at 10:17 pm
I sincerely hope that Tiger makes a healthy lasting comeback to the game of golf.
golfreality
Oct 17, 2017 at 2:53 pm
i hope the cheating egotistical drug addict never makes a cut again y pull for this guy i dont get it.
etc.
Oct 17, 2017 at 6:01 pm
He’s Black History.
Boobsy McKiss
Oct 18, 2017 at 1:42 am
Another perfect human being speaks his mind. Sickening how people on the internet refuse to forgive anyone for their past transgressions. There seems to be no forgiving anymore, only disdain, wretched hate, and constant vilifying until the person is beat down so much they go into hiding. Your comment speaks volumes to the sad state of society these days.
Forsbrand
Oct 18, 2017 at 6:24 am
Couldn’t be more to the point!!! Quite disgusting how through decades of supposed progression we still have individuals expressing such dinosaur comments. I’m always amazed would people still have the same views if in a room with these same people they have to troll on the internet.
I’ve said this so many times, we have some young members on here please keep it clean and stick to golf!!!
Lance
Oct 18, 2017 at 12:01 pm
^^^White trash liberal women weeping for their fantasy man. VVV
RMF
Oct 19, 2017 at 8:50 am
@golfreality I think you will find loads of exceptionally talented people battle with demons, whether they be athletes, musicians, mathematicians, actors. Just go and write a list of extremely successful people and you will find it littered with drunks, addicts etc you will also find it littered with people who have committed suicide come from broken homes, people with mental illnesses.
People generally want to see them succeed as it shows you problems and challenges are there to be overcome and personal/mental/physical issues should not be a boundary if you have the drive to fight through them
But I will assume you only listen to the clean living singers, only watch tv shows with actors who fit into your perfect world view
If you don’t you are a hypocrite and should probably keep your mouth shut!
etc.
Oct 19, 2017 at 2:59 pm
…. but is he worthy of respect by young golfers, given his sordid past life? Forgiveness must be earned, not expected by a multi-millionaire trying to squeeze the last million$$$$ out of the golf industry…. Nike too.
RMF
Oct 19, 2017 at 4:35 pm
Of course he is worthy of respect and if you look at how the younger tour players flock to him you’ll understand he has their respect.
As for forgiveness this is something that can only be given.
Alexander Pope – To err is human; to forgive, divine
Asa Don Brown – A life lived without forgiveness is a life lived in the past
Martin Luther King Jr – We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies
Busty McBoob
Oct 20, 2017 at 2:16 am
Spot on chap. Spot on indeed.
If the internet had been around in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, the ‘bad’ things athletes do these days would mostly pale in comparison. But, people like to harp on these guys because they’re rich and insanely successful. And because a lot of people have a jealous rage that burns inside of them. So much so, they have to focus on other people’s lives rather than bettering their own.