As I write this review, I am watching Sergio Garcia using the new TaylorMade Spider GT Putter at the Dubai Desert Classic. That’s the thing about this putter, it’s easily spotted in a player’s hand, and that’s what TaylorMade do better than any other manufacturer in golf. They’re the kings of marketing.
15 years ago TaylorMade were lacking market share and a decent putter to be able to compete against the likes of Callaway, Ping and Titleist.
Rarely would you see a TaylorMade putter played on tour or at golf clubs until the Spider first came out back in 2008. Now contracted players will gladly use one of these models, and they have won multiple major championships over the last decade or so.
The Tech
- Top plate weighting and short sight line
The most obvious new feature on the Spider GT putter is the 145g aluminium top plate, which allows weight to be saved and distributed to the perimeter of the putter head. This red plate is complete with a small white line at the face to help aid alignment.
- Steel side weight construction
90 gram steel side weights push 82% of the putter’s total weight to the perimeter in order to produce more stability, particularly on off-centre strikes.
The insert on the putter face is manufactured with a black TPU urethane with silver aluminium grooves at a 45 degree angle. This is designed to minimise backspin from the face at impact, getting the ball rolling more quickly rather than skidding in its first couple of inches of travel.
A softer section of the shaft located 5 inches from the tip, designed to increase feel, stability and improve dispersion.
The Spider GT Putter is available in the following colourways: Silver, Black, Red, White/Blue
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TaylorMade Spider GT Putter Review
Looks and Feel
The GT is a similar size to the 2019 Spider X Putter which Rory is currently using. I think this red and black finish that I tested will be the most popular colour as it goes well with the black and red of the new Stealth driver and TaylorMade fans will love it. It's the most TaylorMade-looking putter, TaylorMade have ever made.
The finish is wonderful on this head, there is a fantastic use of shading. The redtop plate is half mooned and the wings are in black, and this design seems to make the head appear smaller than it really is.
There are three different hosel types available also: Short Slant, Single Bend and Centre Shaft.
I tested out the Short Slant, which comes with 21 degrees of toe hang and I couldn’t help but notice that the putter head seemed to be a little closed at address. Maybe this isn’t the hosel for me?
I am a huge fan of the new Pure Roll2 insert as the ball just seemed to hug the putting surface when I struck the ball. And of course with a head this size and weight, you’re bound to enjoy plenty of stability in the strike too.
Unlike most people, I have to admit that I’m not a huge fan of the Spider shape as they’ve always been too square for my eye.
However with the GT model the top plate being curved helps to soften the lines of the Spider GT and gets rid of the squareness which helped me. I really struggle with breaking putts with a square putter head as it makes me hit through the break.
I found that I still did this on left to right putts with the putter, but the roll itself was fantastic.
Performance
I rolled a tonne of putts on the putting green at Stockport Golf Club, putting it to the test with eight putts from eight feet in a circle around the hole.
I holed two out of eight putts and missed the other six on the left side. The closed face at address was proving a little troublesome for me.
I also found that the SuperStroke grip seemed to have been put on slightly closed too, which was a shame although research does suggest that most right handed golfers tend to line up and miss their putts to the right, so this mishap could of helped some golfers...
Manufacturers like to help golfers out with draw-biased woods and irons… maybe it’s the same for putters now!?
Perhaps I need to have a closer look at one of the other hosel shapes to improve my start direction and the look at address.
TaylorMade Spider GT Putter Verdict
With the Spider name and Ferrari-like colourways, the Spider GT will sell well as it is a standout putter and I’m sure it will draw your eye when you walk into your local Pro Shop.
The Spider GT head doesn’t look as square and flat at address as models in previous years, which is a positive in my eyes. It is also fabulously sturdy at impact and the alignment on the top plate is quality.
Putters are just like drivers, they want to save the weight and distribute it to other areas of the head. I only wish that it didn’t appear to be so left-biased based on my testing.
Sometimes you can review a product and not really get on with it, but you can see that it’s going to be great for other golfers, and this is one of those cases.
I don’t think I will ever get on with a traditional Spider head but I know that I am in the minority. This putter will set you back £329 which is high end, but it does look high end from the putter’s finish to the quality of the headcover.
Who Is It Aimed At?
Anyone who likes putting with a mallet or is looking to change into a mallet. The high MOI means that this putter feels super stable in your hands so if you do have a wiggle in your stroke or get too handsy, this will be ideal for you.
I can see the all black version finding its way into Dustin Johnson’s bag this year...
Would I Use It?
No, but don’t let this affect you as I haven’t met many people who don’t like the Spider shape.
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