TaylorMade has several launching new putters for retail this week and I think you’re going to really like them. Truth be told, they might also drive some of you crazy.
Why do I think so?
First of all, the new SYSTM2 shooter it’s $249.99. At a time when all machines are often found at the $500 price point, it’s refreshing to see a major OEM offering quality products at lower prices.
Another reason I think the TaylorMade SYSTM2 putters will be a hit is that these are quality gauges. They look good, feel good and put great spin on the ball.
I’m not exaggerating when I say these are some of the most responsive machines I’ve made in a while.
I’m not limiting that statement to even the best budget setters. The feeling of TaylorMade SYSTM2 Puters is just as good, if not better, than putters costing more than twice as much.
Despite all these good things, some of you will still be upset.
Play with plush in a budget build
So how did TaylorMade cut costs and maintain performance? It starts with production. of SYSTM2 shooter are metal injection molded from 304 stainless steel. This manufacturing method is less expensive than completely milling each head from metal blocks.
Although similar to traditional metal casting, metal injection molding allows designers to create new shapes and mass distributions that would not be possible with casting. For him SYSTM2 shootermuch of this involves moving mass from the center to the perimeter to increase stability and forgiveness.
The faces of SYSTM2 shooter they are then surface milled to create a uniform setting surface. Additionally, each face is cut with a saw cutter to create grooves to further affect feel and enhance performance.
When you combine this face design with the 304 stainless steel construction, you get a smooth-feeling face that puts a good amount of spin on the ball as well.
TaylorMade’s new modular construction SYSTEM
Another way TaylorMade was able to keep up SYSTM2 line cost reduction was by making the thrusters modular. For example, all three blade models all share the same front section. The back then determines whether you carry a Juno, Soto OR Del Monte.
For the hammers, there are two front sections, each with a different neck, that can be paired with one Bandon or one Ardmore back section.
Using modular components, Taylor Made can accurately adjust the number of components in the market without being left with unsold full heads. If all customers want Sotos and not Junos, TaylorMade can build more Soto back sections and use the faces originally intended to be Junos.
Admittedly, I’m speculating how this might play out at the factory, but it seems like a great way to head into building the most popular heads instead of building everything.
Additionally, the two-piece construction would allow TaylorMade to manipulate the shape where the two pieces join. For example, they could put in a cavity that would be hidden when the parts are put together. If it were all formed as a single piece, this would be impossible.
So why will people be raving about the TaylorMade SYSTM2 line?
If we look at the tangible elements associated with the new SYSTM2 firing linethere is no reason for people to give TaylorMade grief.
They look and feel great and come at a price that many will find affordable. As for putters, nothing about SYSTM2 shooter it should be stimulating. There are even a bunch of left-handed models.
What will rub people the wrong way is that SYSTM2 shooter they look like he PINGed them.
TaylorMade should have known grief could come
When comparing the new TaylorMade SYSTM2 pretty with some earlier PING designs, it’s easy to see the similarities and it’s hard to believe that these were created independently of those designs.
Perhaps the similarities only come from the fact that many companies are using similar production methodologies these days. Maybe the engineers at TaylorMade never looked at any PING hardware.
Perhaps we are looking at a situation similar to that when George Harrison lost a copyright suit for subliminal plagiarism of The Chiffons.
The problem is that the blue-and-black color scheme of the SYSTM2 handsets looks similar to PING’s Sigma 2 line from 2018. In addition, the two-color appearance in the address resembles the appearance of 2025 PING Scottsdale putters.
I’m not saying TaylorMade copied PING
Of course, it’s safe to say that every putter company has copied PING at one time or another. “Design Borrowing” has been a thing with putters since pitchers have been a thing. How many companies are launching their own TaylorMade Spider inspired gear these days?
All companies at one point or another have looked over the fence to see how their neighbor is mowing the lawn.
Perhaps TaylorMade realized this comparison was inevitable and that’s why they dropped the “e” from the tipped “system” of their caps to the enduring legacy of the PING Anser and its missing “w.”
TaylorMade SYSTM2 blades
How about we get back to betting? Let’s focus on the three blades first. As I said, all three models share the same front section with the shape of the rear dictating the design changes.
Of course, I had to line up all three side by side to make sure. Of course, the faces are the same. Even knowing this is true, they look and feel like different gauges once the backs are attached.
If you are looking for a smooth bumper, TaylorMade SYSTM2 Soto it’s the stick for you. The flange creates a classic Anser/Newport profile. As with the entire SYSTM2 line, the Soto swings with balance and puts a strong dose of pop on the ball at impact.
TaylorMade reports that the opposing sections will help left-eye-dominant players with aiming. Don’t worry, right eye dominant people, the line of sight in each cavity is there for you. If you don’t use your eyes to aim, you’re on your own.
Visual preference will initially place golfers on Team Soto or Team Juno. You’ll either dig the Soto’s curves or be more at home with the Juno’s harder edges.
Hopefully, the design that you like the look of will also be the one that fits you best. For me, Soto is my watcher, but he Juno is my interpreter. I need the sharp edges of the cavity to aim with backspins giving only dreamy distractions.
Speaking of the posterior, SYSTM2 Del Monte it’s the dump blade in the trunk. If you want blade looks with hammer-like stability, the Del Monte should check your boxes.
Of the three blades, the Del Monte is Dave’s Play-vorite™. It feels amazing and is more durable than the other two blades.
Maybe it’s just psychological, but I feel like there’s a three-bladed sports continuum. If they were cars, Soto is a Porsche 911 GT, Juno is a BMW M3 Competition, and Del Monte is a Dodge Hellcat. All three are busy, but drive differently.
(Apologies for the peculiar nature of this analogy if you’re not a car person.)
As with blades, modularity is the main story with TaylorMade SYSTM2 Shotgun. This time around, there are two hydro-blasted “satin scratch silver” front options to pair with two different black PVD back shapes.
The number associated with the model represents the neck type. If you see a “12” on the sole, that shooter has a hydraulic neck. A “72” indicates a pierced neck. Of course, you can ignore the numbers and just flip the knob and look at the neck.
However, knowing what these numbers mean is critical when placing an order for your setters.
As with the blades, the two-tone aesthetic creates an alignment aid perpendicular to the target at address.
Since someone will ask, yes, you can catch the ball with your back SYSTM2 Puter Ardmore. Be warned though, you’ll need some practice to become a super scooper. That lip on the back end is thicker than it looks.
Now that we have the important part out of the way, let’s look at Ardmore’s beautiful silver body. As an admitted lover of checkered betting, Ardmore caught my eye immediately. I like how the shooter looks behind the ball.
In the past, TaylorMade has designated “Ardmore” the name of bets of various shapes. Ghost mallets and large round hammers have been called Ardmore. Now a box-shaped hammer with a long hope bears the name.
The rear sight line is great for aiming, as are the many small lines at the bottom of the Ardmore’s bowl When you add these to the silver contrast face, you have a whole set of lines that are perpendicular to the target. It’s like barcode targeting and it works well. Does this make me left eye dominant? I’ll think about this more the next time I stand over a putt.
of SYSTEM2 The name was first used by TaylorMade for some metal woods and irons in the 1990s. Technically, they were named “System 2” with the “e” and the space.
What about the name Bandon?
Until told otherwise, I’m going to run on faith that the TaylorMade SYSTM2 Bandon is named after the magical land of Bandon Dunes. In case you missed it, I put together a little travel guide around it playing Bandon Dunes in the winter.
I know it’s spring now, but unfortunately winter will come again.
Back to the shooter. of SYSTM2 Tryingn has a fang-shaped profile that is preferred by many golfers. As with the Ardmore, the Bandon’s flange features additional linear elements to aid in aiming. Unlike Ardmore, these lines lie parallel to the target line and not perpendicular.
If you’re looking for a traditional hammer feel, go with the 72/spud neck. This neck makes Bando balanced on the face while 12/neck of the plumber the toe will drop 31 degrees below horizontal.
The toe drop isn’t as deep as it is with blades, but it does create a toe flow for the Bandon. The 12 is the neck for people who want a hammerhead that swings like a blade.
If all you care about is catching the ball, Bandon is the strongest scupper in the bunch.
Spider “Curse” and future SYSTM2 models
Although it seemed impossible when we were in high school, popularity can be a curse. Not only can the fall from a pedestal be long, but being on a pedestal comes with unrealistic expectations.
For TaylorMade, the pedestal problem is The spider. That putter has been popular for a solid decade and looks even more popular than ever on the PGA Tour this year. Every week, it seems, I see a different Tour player with a new Spider.
Admittedly, this growing presence gives TaylorMade reason to celebrate, but it also creates a problem. The Spider is now the model against which all TaylorMade players will be compared. These are big, powerful shoes to fill, considering that many now see the Spider as an iconic design.
maybe SYSTM2 shooter will prove to be a non-Spider success story for TaylorMade. It is possible. These gauges won’t compete directly with the Spider buyer. They target different categories of players and prices.
I have a feeling that if golfers give TaylorMade SYSTM2 put up a roll, they’ll go home with one. We hope these do well. I’d love to see what other back shapes TaylorMade can attach to these faces.
