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words // Ian Stonebrook:
Few athletes in professional sports are as prolific or detail oriented as Tiger Woods. Back on the greens to the delight of fans everywhere, the decorated golfer is relishing in his return to the world stage and the game he loves at the place that started it all: The Masters.
While Woods is the recent recipient of a new signature spike, the Nike TW ’15, he’s chosen to take it back to the Nike TW ’11 for this week’s action.
Tiger Woods in the Nike TW ’11 (photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images via Zimbio)According to Nick Menta of Golf Central and confirmed by Nike Golf, the reported return to the dated design is in reaction to a recent change in his swing. Athletes going back to previous signature shoes is certainly nothing new, especially in basketball, but this does come as somewhat of a surprise as the shoe just launched and Woods was heavily involved in the model’s media push.
Nike TW ’15 (photo by Nike, Inc.)While the TW 15’s calling card from a technical standpoint is its new Flyweave upper, it would appear the shoe swap is more due to foundational issues rather than that of construction. As you may recall, Woods in recent years has worn the TW ’13 and TW ’14, both of which feature Nike Free flex grooves in the sole for a focus on mobility and flexibility. One would imagine that if the issue derived only from the Flyweave upper that he would have gone back to a more recent rendition like the ’13 or ’14.
Nike TW ’11 (photo via Stingray of GolfWRX)The TW ’11, which Woods is currently lacing up, relies on a more traditional look and feel. A sturdier sole is backed by Zoom Air cushioning, rounded out up top with a leather upper. Theoretically, a model like the TW ’15 would allow more flex and natural motion at the base of a swing, while a spike like the TW ’11 would provide a sturdier, more secure base.
While fans and brands alike demand more innovation and evolution in footwear, situations like this and other contemporary cases do beg the question as to whether or not tried and true techniques are better performing than that of the synthetic sneakers we see today. However, if that were completely the case we’d all still be playing basketball in Chuck Taylors. There will always be hits and misses in innovations, but more so the phrase ‘different strokes for different folks’ is certainly applicable to this situation and that of others.
Tiger Woods in the Nike TW ’11 (photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images via Zimbio)One positive byproduct of this switch is that it excites the imagination. Perhaps a Prelude Pack for the Nike TW series could one day happen? We’re certainly not mad at the possibility of that. In the meantime, keep it locked to Nice Kicks for more updates on Tiger and his signature spike line.
Lead image by Andrew Redington/Getty Images via Zimbio
