TaylorMade has long been a dominant force in the golfing world, but it was the Spider Tour mallet putters that truly revolutionized their position in the marketplace. These iconic putters have not only enjoyed tremendous success on professional tours but have also garnered a devoted following among retail customers. As TaylorMade explored different shapes and versions over the past two years, it became evident that the demand and love for the original Spider Tour and Spider Tour X shapes remained unparalleled. Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, TaylorMade is launching a new Spider Tour Series, featuring five options, all built on the original platforms, including the shapes popularized by golfing legends like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Jason Day, and Scottie Scheffler. In this blog, we'll dive deeper into this exciting new series and explore what makes it a must-have for golfers of all skill levels.
Spider Tour: The original with rear "jet engine" heel and toe weights for increased moment of inertia, ensuring stability on off-center hits.
Spider Tour X: A more compact version featuring the same weight distribution as the original.
Spider Tour Z: Maintains a sleek shape like the Spider Tour X but shifts heel and toe weights forward in the sole for improved performance.
Spider Tour V: The most compact of the models, eliminating the wing structure while keeping weights forward in the sole.
These options cater to golfers with varying putting styles and preferences, making it easier to find the perfect fit for your game.
The Rebirth of an Icon
The Spider Tour family of putters has been nothing short of legendary, contributing significantly to TaylorMade's success, both on the professional tours and in the retail market. These mallet putters have been valued at over $250 million in their own right, with more than 1.5 million units sold. Despite several attempts to create something new and innovative, TaylorMade has returned to the original Spider Tour design. According to Brian Bazzell, TaylorMade's Vice President of Product Creation, mallet putters offer a performance element that blades simply cannot match. In fact, tour players like Rory McIlroy have seen a remarkable improvement of 1.5 strokes per tournament when using the Spider Tour X compared to a blade putter. Dustin Johnson's experience with the Spider Tour echoes this sentiment, as he performs better from six feet and in, thanks to the mallet design's stability, ensuring consistent ball speed even on off-center hits.Mallets for All Strokes
One of the remarkable features of the Spider Tour Series is its ability to cater to a wide range of stroke types. Elite players like Jason Day, Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, and Scottie Scheffler all have unique putting strokes, and the Spider Tour Series acknowledges this diversity by offering four distinct models and an additional model coming spring 2024:Spider Tour: The original with rear "jet engine" heel and toe weights for increased moment of inertia, ensuring stability on off-center hits.
Spider Tour X: A more compact version featuring the same weight distribution as the original.
Spider Tour Z: Maintains a sleek shape like the Spider Tour X but shifts heel and toe weights forward in the sole for improved performance.
Spider Tour V: The most compact of the models, eliminating the wing structure while keeping weights forward in the sole.
These options cater to golfers with varying putting styles and preferences, making it easier to find the perfect fit for your game.