I’ve been following the PGA Tour winners’ clubs and equipment this season, as well as new equipment additions and changes. There is a trend that seems to be multiplying.
TaylorMade Spider. The more you follow it, the harder it is to ignore.
And it’s not limited to the PGA Tour.
A few weeks ago, I was at a Korn Ferry Tour event and noticed the same thing. Spider shooter they were everywhere. In some groups, each player had one in the bag. I went through the top 20 players in the world and tracked what each of them is using on the greens.
Top 20 Players in the World – The Shot Put Breakdown
What stands out
Eight of the top 20 players in the world are using some version of the Spider.
No other single barrel model comes close to that level of usability. There are still plenty of blade style players in the mix and players like Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele continue to rely on that traditional look and feel. At the same time, the general direction is clear. More of the world’s best players are choosing stability and consistency over tradition.
It is also worth noting that they are not all using the same version of the TaylorMade Spider. Some prefer different finishes, others use different neck styles to suit their stroke.
What is it about Spider Tour X?
of Spider Tour X is built around stability from the ground up. Its high-MOI design pushes weight toward the circumference of the head, which helps reduce twist at impact and keeps the face more stable on off-center hits. When contact is not perfect, the putter is designed to keep the ball starting closer to your target line.
By combining lightweight aluminum with heavier steel components, TaylorMade can position the weight more precisely. This allows the player to maintain forgiveness without sacrificing feel.
Entry is another part of the equation. It is designed to promote consistent rotations across the entire face, not just from the center.
Then there’s stretching.
The Spider shape makes it easier to sight your line and square up the target. If you aim better and get the ball on the line more often, you’ll make more shots.
What is the best golfer using right now?
There is one more detail worth looking at.
Jacob Bridgeman currently runs Strokes Gained: Putting on the PGA Tour and he’s doing it with a Spider.
This does not mean that the reason is the shooter. Strokes Gained: Putting depends on a lot more than equipment. At the same time, when the best player in this group uses the same pattern that keeps showing up in the top 20, it’s hard to ignore.
Final thoughts
of Spider Tour X it is constantly found in the hands of the best players in the world and is just as evident in events one level down.
That doesn’t mean it’s the right player for every golfer, but it might be one worth trying.
