When you think of TaylorMade’s hugely popular Spider putters, the chances are that most golfers will be thinking about the Spider Tour X, which has become the most popular putter on Tour thanks to the likes of Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.
However there’s much more to the range than just that model. In fact, one of the other Spider models also won a major this year thanks to Aaron Rai.
That was the Spider Tour V, and we’ve got our hands on the latest generation of the compact mallet to see what it can offer.
Who Is It Aimed At?
The Spider range in general has been so popular because it appeals to so many people. The putters look great, perform really well, and in modern day terms, are relatively good value for money.
The Tour V specifically has more forward weighting and a slightly more compact shape than the rest of the range. TaylorMade say it’s the most specific in their line-up, so it’s never going to be a best seller but it could be ideal for golfers who still want a bit of arc in their stroke.
It’s aimed at golfers who love the look and feel of a blade putter, but potentially fancy something that gives them a little more stability and forgiveness. It probably explains why Brooks Koepka, a long time blade user, was also experimenting with this model during the season.
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The Tech
The most obvious change with the new Spider family this year is the new torched PVD finish, inspired by the paint job on Rory McIlroy’s Spider Tour X. It’s a more durable coating that adds a premium look.
As mentioned, the Spider Tour V is what TaylorMade call the most stroke-specific shape in the range, suited to a smaller number of golfers, especially those who’d normally reach for a blade.
It has a thin wall undercut construction, designed to remove excess weight whilst retaining high MOI.
The CG sits 21mm behind the leading edge which is the furthest forward of any model in the range, giving it slightly more blade-like properties. It’s said to work with the arc of the stroke, keeping the face on line at impact, whilst still offering the stability you’d expect from a mallet.
The face uses a white TPU Pure Roll insert, something which has been very popular in TaylorMade putters for years now. It’s a combination of surlyn and aluminium, with the grooves set at 45° to promote a better forward roll and softer feedback at impact. Behind that is a Hybrar Echo damper, helping to remove unwanted vibrations to improve the feel.
The Tour V comes with a Single Sight Line alignment, rather than the True Path system that you commonly see on the likes of the Spider Tour X.
It comes with an L-Neck hosel producing 33° of toe hang, is available in right-hand only, and is built with a KBS CT Putter 120 Stepless Black shaft and a SuperStroke Pistol 1.0 grip as standard.
Looks
Across the Spider range for 2026 I think TaylorMade have done a great job with the looks. The new torched finish looks so premium, and I really like the fact that it can look slightly different in different lights too.
As well as the colourway, TaylorMade have also updated their Spider graphics with a new logo, font and blue colour scheme on the sole plate. This works really well with the new finish, and I was really impressed with the overall quality.
Pair this with an excellent headcover and I actually think it does justify the £299 price tag when you compare it to other putters in a similar price category.
The putter itself has a smaller footprint than the Spider Tour or a Tour X, with softer lines and it’s clear that more of the weight is situated at the front of the head.
The single line offers a really clear visual at address, and I really like the fact that it runs right to the edge of the topline so that you can line it up directly to the ball.
The two ‘notches’ towards the toe and heel also make it easy to centre the ball at address too,
Feel
I loved the overall balance, weight and general feel when I first got my hands on this putter and made a few practice swings.
It’s not as big or clunky as some mallets which meant that it gave you a little bit more freedom in the stroke, but it still felt stable and consistent too.
The face itself is quite shallow and the head sits pretty flat to the ground, which helps it to sit nice and square and really just helps with the overall stroke.
I don’t usually like using thicker grips but the Pistol 1.0 actually worked really nicely in conjuction with the head and balanced things up well too.
I am a big fan of TaylorMade’s Pure Roll insert, it offers a really nice blend because it feels soft, but you still get a nice reassuring sound at impact too. It just feels as if it’s going to give you a nice consistent roll without any bobbling or jumping at impact, and the roll feels similar across the face too.
Performance
I have used blade putters for all of my golfing career so the idea of something that gives a blade-like feeling but with the stability of a mallet really appeals to me.
This feels like a really good example of that, and it actually reminded me a little bit of the Spider FCG that TaylorMade released a few years ago and was briefly used by Collin Morikawa.
My issue with mallet putters, including the Spider Tour X, in the past has been that it feels as if you lose some of your own putting style with those heads because they’re designed to stay stable. I like to have a little more freedom and manipulation from the hands during my stroke, so I liked that the Spider Tour V gave you that opportunity.
The alignment line is really easy to use which helps on the shorter putts, whilst on the mid-long putts is where I did see a benefit compared to my own blade putter because the mis-hits just perform a little bit better.
Whilst it’s not new, or unique to the Spider Tour V, TaylorMade’s Pure Roll insert is excellent and seems to just produce a really good quality roll time after time.
Verdict
Overall I really enjoyed using this putter. I understand that it might not be for everyone, given that forward CG location.
If you’re someone who likes blade putters, but has been debating whether a mallet might improve your performance, this could be a great starting point.
TaylorMade have done a great job with the new line of Spider putters for 2026, improving the overall looks whilst keeping the price competitive.
It’s become a brand of it’s own and seems to be going from strength to strength, and I don’t see that changing any time soon.
Would I Use It?
My heart is saying that I still want to use my blade putter, but my head is saying that this might be the answer!
Looking to buy? Shop Now at Clubhouse Golf, the largest and most trusted independent golf retailer in the UK!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the TaylorMade Spider Tour V best suited to?
It’s aimed at golfers who like the look and feel of a blade putter but want a bit more stability and forgiveness. Its forward CG and more compact shape give it more arc and blade-like properties than the rest of the Spider range, which is why players like Brooks Koepka have experimented with it.
How much does the Spider Tour V cost?
It’s priced at £299, which the reviewer felt was justified given the build quality, finish and included headcover compared to other putters in the same price bracket.
What’s new with the Spider range for 2026?
The standout change is a new torched PVD finish, inspired by Rory McIlroy’s Spider Tour X paintwork, alongside updated Spider graphics with a new logo, font and blue colour scheme on the sole plate.
How does the Spider Tour V differ from the Spider Tour X?
The Tour V has a smaller footprint, more forward CG (21mm behind the leading edge, the furthest forward in the range), and a Single Sight Line alignment aid rather than the True Path system found on the Tour X. It’s designed to feel more blade-like while still offering mallet-level stability.
What specs does the Spider Tour V come with as standard?
It features an L-Neck hosel with 33° of toe hang, is available in right-hand only, and comes fitted with a KBS CT Putter 120 Stepless Black shaft and a SuperStroke Pistol 1.0 grip.
