You see it happening more and more often—players of all skill types are switching to mallet putters. Is it the feel? The look? The need to test out all available options? Whatever it is, TaylorMade has long been at the forefront of this evolution. New this year, the company is adding another chapter to their putter successes, introducing Spider EX, a freshly designed mallet engineered for consistency and feel. The EX Spider will be available Friday, April 9, 2021. Preorder today.

Shape Shafting

Let’s start by focusing on an often overlooked part of the putter—the shaft. Yes, shafts get a lot of attention when they’re in drivers, woods, irons and to a lesser extent wedges, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a second look when it comes to putters. In other words, don’t shaft the shaft.

“There’s been very little testing when it comes to putter shafts, but it’s something we’ve been doing behind the scenes,” says Bill Price, TaylorMade’s Senior Director of Product, Putters and Wedges.

There are really two types of shafts you’ll see in putters—soft shafts that focus on feel, and firmer shafts dedicated to stability. TaylorMade’s created a goldilocks solution by developing a shaft that incorporates the best of both. By inserting flutes—essentially recessed pockets that run vertically along the shaft’s lower third—Spider EX delivers a tempo-inducing feel without compromising the consistency that firmer options provide.

Eyeing Improvements

Of course, the shaft wasn’t the only thing that received an upgrade. On the top of the putter you’ll notice Spider EX’s Three Dot Alignment. It’s subtle and discreet, but then again so is the art of putting. After researching the fields of optometry and sports vision, Price says the new alignment system leverages our natural affinity for noticing patterns of three (after reading this, you’ll start to recognize this phenomenon). Once you’ve gotten your eyes off the dots, you’ll notice TaylorMade’s other alignment aid, White True Path, has been widened to encompass more of the ball at address, providing a desirable, confidence-inspiring setup.

Depth-Dwelling CG

 Low CG delivers optimal feel, which is why TaylorMade’s utilized a multi-material construction to give golfers more of it. A combination of steel, aluminum and strategically located tungsten produce an elegantly weighted putter head designed for improved consistency and control. The enhanced construction also allows putts struck on the heel and toe to benefit from greater stability.

Additional Updates

 Aesthetically awesome: moving away from the sharper lines and edged look of past gens, the EX is softer, with rounded edges and a clean, flowing look.

Pure Roll 2 Insert: The chalky sound of a well struck putt is music to golfers’ ears. The new TPU urethane insert delivers just that.

Colour Combos

Spider EX is available in platinum/white, navy/white and ghost white, with three neck options: flow, single bend and short slant.

Is it for me?

Whether you’re a lifelong mallet putter, or you’re not finding the bottom of the cup as often as you’d like with your blade, the Spider EX is worth a look. It’s larger head and focus on stability can help those who struggle to find the center of the face, while the world-class engineering benefits the game’s very best.