- TaylorMade adds five new putters to their Spider Tour series.
- All models are finished in a new black PVD coating.
- The Tour Black line includes the hot sellers and some niche builds.
- Available Dec. 12 at retail shops and at taylormadegolf.com with a MSRP of $349.99
Last week, TaylorMade announced they are partnering with Logan Olson to develop a new Tour Matrix putter fitting system for their tour pros. Those putters are not heading to retail any time soon but the partnership does demonstrate TaylorMade’s commitment to building their presence in the milled putter marketplace.
Does this mean that TaylorMade is moving away from the Spider?
Of course it doesn’t. The Spider is TaylorMade’s cash-spinning arachnid. It would make no sense for them to abandon their most popular putter. However, TaylorMade is not afraid of tweaking the Spider formula. The Spider GT, the Spider EX, and the Spider GT MAX all are examples of TaylorMade’s willingness to creatively explore new spins on the Spider.
TaylorMade also knows it makes fiscal sense to sometimes give the consumer exactly what they want. Last year, TaylorMade’s Spider Tour line featured modern takes on their most popular Spider heads: the Spider Tour and Spider Tour X.
Black bodies and interesting builds
The Spider Tour Black Series is an extension of the TaylorMade Spider Tour line. A couple of the Black Series putters are the old favorites with new outfits but the other two models are new additions.
Let’s start with the simple ones and then move into the more unusual designs.
TaylorMade Spider Tour X Black
The Scheffler Spider gets a cosmetic makeover with the Tour Black line. This Spider Tour X has a new black PVD finish and copper accents. The “copper” is a bit more orange in person but the overall color palate is very TM Bubble Shaft retro.
The look is fairly close to the one I built with the MySpider Tour putter designer.
It is worth noting that the finish is PVD rather than paint. Customers have had issues with paint longevity with some previous Spider models. Hopefully, the switch to PVD will eliminate these issues.
The L-neck gives the Spider Tour X Black a touch of toe hang. The slightly more forward sole weights shift the center of gravity toward the face, promoting more of a blade-like feel.
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1075" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-X-Black-Plumb-2-1536x1075.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1075" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-X-Black-Plumb-3-1536x1075.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1075" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-X-Black-Plumb-4-1536x1075.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1076" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-X-Black-Plumb-5-1536x1076.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1076" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-X-Black-Plumb-6-1536x1076.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1075" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-X-Black-Plumb-7-1536x1075.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
</div>
TaylorMade Spider Tour Black (Small Slant)
Not too many years ago, Dustin Johnson and Jason Day shook up the industry with their black-and-red slant-neck Spiders. I’d argue the two of them made a mallet cool.
(Winning tournaments with the Spider Tour helped.)
When it comes to alignment, the Spider Tour Black is different from original Spider Tour models. Like the other 2024 Spider Tour models, this model features TaylorMade’s True Path
alignment system.
The large white graphic on top of the putter gives the player multiple targeting lines, effectively helping to narrow their focus to the center of the head.
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1076" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-Black-Slant-1-1536x1076.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1075" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-Black-Slant-2-1536x1075.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1075" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-Black-Slant-3-1536x1075.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1076" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-Black-Slant-4-1536x1076.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1075" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-Black-Slant-6-1536x1075.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1076" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-X-Black-Plumb-8-1-1536x1076.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
</div>
TaylorMade Spider Tour Black CounterBalance (Standard Length)
Now things get a little more interesting. The first of the unusual Spider Tour variants is the Spider Tour Black CounterBalance. Obviously, counterbalanced designs are not a new thing but what makes this one interesting is that the shaft is 35 inches.
Most counterbalanced putters feature longer shafts. The idea being that, when you hold the grip a few inches below the end of the shaft, the extra mass above your hands counterbalances the typically heavier putter head.
How does this work when the putter is a standard length of 35 inches?
Somewhat the same. You could grip lower on the grip, especially if your usual putter plays shorter than 35. Even if you usually play a 35-inch putter like I do, you can feel the difference in stability comparing this putter to one with a standard grip.
The extra mass in your hands and the larger girth of the grip make this Spider feel very different than the standard version. Like all atypical putter designs, there will be golfers who love this difference and putt better with this setup.
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1075" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-S-Black-CB-35-4-1536x1075.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1075" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-S-Black-CB-35-3-1536x1075.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1075" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-S-Black-CB-35-5-1536x1075.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1076" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-S-Black-CB-35-6-1536x1076.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1076" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-S-Black-CB-35-1-1536x1076.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1076" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-S-Black-CB-38-9-1536x1076.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
</div>
TaylorMade Spider Tour S Black CounterBalance (38″)
The Spider Tour S Black CounterBalance model is a more traditional counterbalanced putter design. The head is a little larger than the standard Spider Tour and the shaft is significantly longer at 38 inches.
Once you place your hands on the grip at your usual position, a good portion of the grip and underlying shaft will be above your hands.
The extra mass of the shaft and grip above your hands balances out the extra mass in the head.
Of the two counterbalanced designs, I actually prefer putting with the 35-inch version, probably because the 38-inch one keeps wanting to anchor into my belly.
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1076" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-S-Black-CB-38-1-1536x1076.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1075" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-S-Black-CB-38-3-1536x1075.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1076" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-S-Black-CB-38-4-1536x1076.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1075" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-S-Black-CB-38-6-1536x1075.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1076" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-S-Black-CB-38-7-1536x1076.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1075" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-S-Black-CB-38-8-1536x1075.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
</div>
TaylorMade Spider Tour S Black CS LONG
Speaking of anchoring, the last model in the Spider Tour Black Series is a long putter. The center-shafted Spider Tour S Black CS LONG enters the ring at a whopping 46 inches. Its two-part grip looks amazing.
(Remember, the end of the putter can’t be touching your body when you putt.)
I know there are professionals successfully using long putters but I find them awkward to roll balls with. Truth be told, I feel a bit embarrassed as well. Yes, that is very judgmental and I know that some people can only putt if they use a long putter. It’s my issue.
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1075" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-Black-CS-LONG-2-1536x1075.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1075" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-Black-CS-LONG-3-1536x1075.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1075" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-Black-CS-LONG-4-1536x1075.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1076" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-Black-CS-LONG-5-1536x1076.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1075" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-Black-CS-LONG-6-1536x1075.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
<div>
<img alt="Gallery image" height="1075" src="https://uploads.mygolfspy.com/uploads/2024/12/TM-Spider-Tour-Black-CS-LONG-7-1536x1075.jpeg" width="1536" />
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
</div>
Final thoughts on the TaylorMade Spider Tour Black Series
As far as line extensions go, TaylorMade did a great job with the Tour Black Series. They spiced things up with a different color scheme and introduced new models to the Spider family. As a San Francisco Giants fan, I love the look of the putters though my Dodgers fan buddy preferred the blue scheme of the original.
Like all TaylorMade Spiders, the Tour Black models are packed with technologies to help you make more putts. I mentioned the True Path alignment scheme that is there to help you aim better.
The TPU Pure Roll insert’s grooves will get the ball rolling on your line with minimal skidding. Though I usually prefer a metal putter face, I do appreciate how good the Pure Roll insert feels at impact. Without a doubt, it is one of my favorite inserts.
Logan Olson will be designing amazing milled tour putters for TaylorMade in the coming years. The Spider Tour Black Series shows the Spider design team is committed to improving the Spider as well.
TaylorMade is upping their putter game and I’m excited to see what comes next from them.
Find out more and order you Spider Tour Black Series putter at taylormadegolf.com
The post TaylorMade Spider Tour Black Series Putters appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
Article Link: https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/taylormade-spider-tour-black-series-putters/