of new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max it may be the first time a company decided to make a zero-torque gauge bigger. The usual plan is usually to go in a smaller and, if possible, more traditional direction.
TaylorMade went the other way. They kept the unconventional look of their popular Spider ZT shooter expanding its size.
Can bigger really be better?
Maybe it’s like the 7-11 soda-sized marketing plan. If the 32-ounce Big Gulp is good, how could the 44-ounce Super Big Gulp not be even better?
(If you know how many ounces are in a Team Gulp, it might be time to cut back on the soda.)
Bigger body, same look
of Spider ZT Max it’s unapologetically bigger and heavier than the Spider ZT, but it looks just like it. Tape history shows the Spider ZT Max to be about half an inch longer than that Spider ZT and about a quarter of an inch wider.
In terms of mass, this increased material equates to an increase of nine grams from the 370 gram head weight of the standard length. Spider ZT.
Visually, you know you’re playing a bigger shooter, but it doesn’t feel that much bigger. I credit this to TaylorMade keeping the overall proportions in the same ratio.
TruePath alignment support is about the same width on both models. This not only keeps the help within the width of the ball size, but normalizes the appearance of the address between the two models.
For both versions, when you put the driver behind the ball, you focus on the TruePath, not the extra head material. This is a great way to make a pretty big one look much smaller.
However, the larger body is important, as it increases stability and MOI.
Although TaylorMade hasn’t released any numbers, I would expect it MAX has an MIA greater than Spider ZT which is already high.
After all, the increased size and weight make up for the super-stability Spider ZT in a super-duper-stable Spider ZT Max.
Maximizing profits for longer versions
I’m sure there will be a whole bunch of happy standard lengths Spider ZT Max customers this summer. However, I think the happiest new owners of the Spider ZT Max will be those who buy longer models.
In both counterbalanced AND long version THE Spider ZT Maxthe extra shaft length relieves a heavier head weight. For the 38-inch counterbalanced version, the head weight comes in at 398 grams.
For the 46-inch version, the weight goes to an incredible 472 grams!
The heavier (and don’t forget bigger) head and heavier shaft do that Spider ZT Max surprisingly durable. With a 79-degree stretch angle, it will line up perfectly almost straight to the center of your chest, allowing you to sweep your paws into the hole with ease.
Of course, we’ll be watching to make sure you don’t anchor it to your body, which, according to the USGA and R&A, is prohibited.
Sometimes atypical is extraordinary
There is no argument that the original Spider ZT it looks like mashed potatoes. of Spider ZT Max looks like it could squash a whole battalion of sponges.
Calling her a “potato masher” isn’t an insult, it’s a celebration.
Not so long ago, a company wouldn’t dare market a barrel that looks like Spider ZT Max. It would have been mocked mercilessly if it didn’t look like a Newport 2.
Golfers didn’t understand the benefits of hitting the big hammer, so they were mocked. No doubt there would be comments about how only horrible people would think of using something that looks like this.
I am glad that we have passed that stage. In the current landscape, irons with atypical appearance are common and generally accepted as normal equipment.
We are in the golden age of hammer throwers. Now is the time TaylorMade could make a long putter like that Spider ZTwin it on the PGA Tour, and finish second overall in the 2025 Most Wanted Zero-Torque Putter contest.
Making paws like Spider ZT Max bring celebration, not shock.
A whole bunch of us have carriers like Spider ZT Max in our bags. Our game partners do not harass us for playing these players. Instead, they often envy our ability to decide.
Don’t be surprised if your friend has one in their bag next weekend too.
By the way, I hope you enjoyed my teaser photo the new creation of mySpider ZT. I’ll have that story for you very soon.
Even though it’s bigger, TaylorMade isn’t paying more for it Spider ZT Max. The price for the Spider ZT Max is the same as that Spider ZT. Standard length MSRP is $449 while counterweight AND long models are $499 and $549 respectively.
