Tiger Woods started playing his best golf in 2000, when he won the U.S. Open by 15 strokes. This was soon after he had started using a solid golf ball, instead of a wound ball.
The switch gave Woods an advantage over those who were using wound balls, observed Frank Nobilo, analyst for CBS and Golf Channel. At the time most players were using wound balls, according to Golf Digest.
Many experts argue that Woods was playing his best golf during this time. However, it was likely the only time that he had an equipment advantage over other golfers, according to The Globe and Mail.
At the time, the golf world generally perceived the wound ball as a superior type of ball. Wound balls contained a rubber thread that was wrapped around a synthetic rubber center or a liquid center.
Other golfers switched to a solid ball about 1-2 years later. That included David Duval in 2001, who was No. 1 in the world until Woods earned the title in 1999.
Tiger was still the best player as other players started using the solid golf ball. However, his advantage was not as great, proving that the new technology had indeed given him somewhat of an edge.
In May 2000 Woods had started using the new solid golf ball from Nike. After winning the Memorial, he won four major championships in a row, starting with the U.S. Open.
Golf experts debate about how much of an advantage the sold golf ball gave Woods in 2000. However, most agree that it was mostly his skills that resulted in his wins.