New spiders for 2023

[mitchdoc]

32 minutes ago, KhiloD said:

Never understood why a pro's choice in a club would make a person want to give it a go or not. Especially a putter being the most personal of clubs for feel and preference.

Is called validation. I will putt with anything if it works. That said if the best players on tour love to a new putter and their putting stats improve like Rory with the X then it tells me not only was it a putter he chose over many more options then I can, but that even at his level he has improved due that equipment.

[mitchdoc]

18 minutes ago, MFBach said:

I think that’s primarily the idea. They aren’t hoping players are going to adjust their putter before every round. They’re trying to provide an option that’s going to benefit everyone that picks up the putter, fit them for it, then let them go with it. 
 

If you’re a fairly consistent putter, but just can’t seem to get them to drop, the MAX is aimed at you… there’s going to be a ton of fitting information available, but the idea is to find your “miss/fault” (within reason), identify it, then dial in the weighting to improve your specific area of weakness. 
 

Tend to push the ball? Forward weight, more flow/arc, square impact… with the same stroke. 
 

Pull it a little? Rear weight, more neutral stroke, square impact… with the same stroke. 
 

A big key for this thing working and improving results is going to be initial setup and fitting, along with a real understanding of how the weight affect the results. 

Or they could have made something more visually appealing and done the same thing by using weight ports or offering 3 models each weighted differently.

When I look at this head it looks like a fat man with stubby legs and black shoes.

[KhiloD]

5 minutes ago, mitchdoc said:

Is called validation. I will putt with anything if it works. That said if the best players on tour love to a new putter and their putting stats improve like Rory with the X then it tells me not only was it a putter he chose over many more options then I can, but that even at his level he has improved due that equipment.

I understand what you are saying. It still just doesn't make sense in a golf game. He plays differently that you and I and that other guy.

 

It's psychology though, it's why these companies spend millions on getting the big names to play their stuff. It influences people's buying decisions.

 

I'm just saying I don't understand the appeal of what a professional is playing to affect how I make a club decision considering our games vary so significantly. 

 

It's just my two cents. (worth probably less 😝)

[radiman]

Well, looks like the weight may not be visible at address when the weight is in any place other than position #1.  At least from this angle it looks like the fin thing would be hidden. 

 

Edited January 19, 2023 by radiman

[MFBach]

17 minutes ago, radiman said:

Well, looks like the weight may not be visible at address when the weight is in any place other than position #1.

Sorry, I missed this earlier.
 

From my fitting, the weights were not notably visible from positions 2 or 3. I agree that the “wings” would definitely look a bit awkward if they were protruding from the middle of the head. 

[mitchdoc]

30 minutes ago, KhiloD said:

I understand what you are saying. It still just doesn't make sense in a golf game. He plays differently that you and I and that other guy.

 

It's psychology though, it's why these companies spend millions on getting the big names to play their stuff. It influences people's buying decisions.

 

I'm just saying I don't understand the appeal of what a professional is playing to affect how I make a club decision considering our games vary so significantly. 

 

It's just my two cents. (worth probably less 😝)

By that logic we shouldn't play anything other than components with a custom fitter. These can be same quality and designed for us. But that is naive. Same reason people but designer clothes and purses and shoes....

We want something that looks good is popular... Tour validation means it performs and the best want to play it.

[mitchdoc]

13 minutes ago, MFBach said:

Sorry, I missed this earlier.
 

From my fitting, the weights were not notably visible from positions 2 or 3. I agree that the “wings” would definitely look a bit awkward if they were protruding from the middle of the head. 

They should have made the weights hidden in all 3 positions.

 

Also with regards to the toe hang:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IevnaI_wguU

Looks like it will range from 17 to 23 on the max depending on weight setup.

[mitchdoc]

Also pricing puts it right there with a Cameron phantom x.

[altitudegolfer15]

1 hour ago, mitchdoc said:

First of this is only my opinion but meh!

 

The GTX just looks off. It took the worst of the GTX shaping and just looks wrong with the true path on it. Just went on my spider and the only configuration that doesn't look ugly is all black with single sight line and no true path. 

 

As for the Max. Love the concept but not the execution. Those little black find being part of the moveable weight is just wrong. Not surprising every picture online has them most rearward. They would look stupid positioned any where else. And if you wanted to have differential weighting they wouldn't line up left and right. The overall head shape looks like an uglier Cleveland front line Elevado. Ironically I love how the underside of the putter looks. Imagine that as the top with a red TM logo/weight as an alignment line on a matter black top and no scooped out fangs.

Think they could have done the weight system differently so it stays hidden regardless of location. More like how Mizuno did in their driver's with a sliding weight track.

Think spider X users are safe. 

Think about tour adoption . Why did they not go to GT?

1. CG location- so why then replicate that on another putter

2. Appearance-GTX looks worse with the red model looking like a toy.

3-Toe hang being less. It is even lower now!

4- insert change. Has same new insert ( players can customize this on tour at least).

Yep, I feel this

[MFBach]

40 minutes ago, radiman said:

I get that. But, if I were at a fitting I’d be able to reach that same result with different heads.

I can see the merit in that argument. The reason I was excited about it was, in part, due to the fitting itself. To be able to see the data, including a correction/change in delivered face angle after adjustment, was pretty cool. Making the same stroke that I did 5 minutes ago, yet getting a nearly 0* delivery based on a minor tweak was unexpected. 
 

Keep in mind, this is also coming from a current Spider X, former Spider Tour user. I was already in that space to begin with, so I wasn’t going out to fit for other heads. I still think the range of potential setups will give you the option to “dial in” the putter to your stroke better than swapping heads, but if you’re going for a full putter fitting anyway, you will obviously have the chance to test that theory. I’d be genuinely interested in the results too. 
 

My only disappointment right now the is the availability date. 

[postfold]

I'm sure I won't spend the money but yeah, I want a GT Max.

[MFBach]

1 hour ago, mitchdoc said:

 

Also pricing puts it right there with a Cameron phantom x.

 

Personally, I thought I’d love the X5.5. Moved to a Spider years ago after quite a stint with Cameron putters. When I finally tested the Phantom series, I was shockingly underwhelmed. It actually disappointed me a little bit. They looked great, but the stability and performance weren’t there for me. Judging by the number of them I’ve seen roll across the BST, I’m guessing others felt the same. 

[salmon1man]

1 minute ago, MFBach said:

Personally, I thought I’d love the X5.5. Moved to a Spider years ago after quite a stint with Cameron putters. When I finally tested the Phantom series, I was shockingly underwhelmed. It actually disappointed me a little bit. They looked great, but the stability and performance weren’t there for me. Judging by the number of them I’ve seen roll across the BST, I’m guessing others felt the same. 

I went and got fitted over the summer and was very underwhelmed with their performance at the price point.  I ended up getting fit into two options...spider gt or bettinardi queen b 6 (I did not expect the latter)

[MFBach]

From the Equipment article about the release… I think the weight are full forward in these pictures, but you should see the same shape in the middle position. I actually like the rear weight look, personally. Definitely a more traditional Spider footprint with the “wings” out. 

 

[KhiloD]

1 hour ago, mitchdoc said:

By that logic we shouldn't play anything other than components with a custom fitter. These can be same quality and designed for us. But that is naive. Same reason people but designer clothes and purses and shoes....

We want something that looks good is popular... Tour validation means it performs and the best want to play it.

I do strongly believe everyone should go get fit properly. Then you can make decisions from there. So yes, that is where my logic is coming from. It don't think it's naïve. There's lots of opportunity to get fit right. 

 

Not all people are that way, but like I said I agree with you on that and that's why they spend millions to sway public opinion. Doesn't mean I follow along with that, or believe people should when making equipment choices. Clothes, shoes etc sure, but not equipment.

 

If a Top Flite box set was the best for me numbers wise, I'd play it, I wouldn't play the Scotty Cameron because people think it's cool but it makes me worse. I'm already not very good LOL.

[radiman]

As a fan of the Spider GT, I was looking at options available.  Noticed on TGW.com that they have a Spider GT labeled as a 2023 version.  Not huge differences other than on the all black one the site line goes the full length.  And there is a white version available too.  Neither of them seem to be on TM's site.  Color me confused.  Not sure if it's an updated version or some sort of limited run. 

 

[JMB3]

Just now, radiman said:

As a fan of the Spider GT, I was looking at options available.  Noticed on TGW.com that they have a Spider GT labeled as a 2023 version.  Not huge differences other than on the all black one the site line goes the full length.  And there is a white version available too.  Neither of them seem to be on TM's site.  Color me confused.  Not sure if it's an updated version or some sort of limited run. 

 

You just beat me to it, haha.  Is this the 2023 GT?  Here’s the white for those wondering:

 

[scott406]

I am interested in trying the tech out

Simply because I would use anything that helped me become a better putterI.

I will hold off judgment until I actually see one in person and roll it

The Spider Pure Roll insert always puts a beautiful roll on the ball and if the weight configuration can help you sink more putts without changing your stroke, it's a win win in my book.

 

 

 

 

[MFBach]

44 minutes ago, radiman said:

As a fan of the Spider GT, I was looking at options available.  Noticed on TGW.com that they have a Spider GT labeled as a 2023 version.

 

42 minutes ago, JMB3 said:

You just beat me to it, haha.  Is this the 2023 GT?

I can’t remember the full spectrum of factory options, but there were a ton of colors available for the GTX. If it isn’t a standard option, I’m sure it’s available through the MySpider program. 

[VanTheMan0519]

Why no black shaft on the GTX?

[MFBach]

Also, not the most valuable tool in the arsenal, but a nice result of the new MAX design... Spider users can finally pick up a ball with their putter! 

 

Shout out to @Kylekoz17 for the putter lab discovery! He's was getting the kind of in depth analysis everyone is really looking for! 🤣 

 

Obviously I'm kidding, to an extent, but I can't put into words the satisfaction I felt when he asked "can you pick up a ball with it?" as I casually flipped the ball back to myself. Not that you're going to need it anyway, because you're going to be retrieving your ball from the bottom of the cup, but it's still useful for pitching a playing partner his gimme after he whiffs his par putt with a X5.5. 

[TiScape]

4 hours ago, radiman said:

Well, looks like the weight may not be visible at address when the weight is in any place other than position #1.  At least from this angle it looks like the fin thing would be hidden. 

 

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What configuration would I go with if I wanted to hit more of a draw? 

[mitchdoc]

2 hours ago, MFBach said:

Personally, I thought I’d love the X5.5. Moved to a Spider years ago after quite a stint with Cameron putters. When I finally tested the Phantom series, I was shockingly underwhelmed. It actually disappointed me a little bit. They looked great, but the stability and performance weren’t there for me. Judging by the number of them I’ve seen roll across the BST, I’m guessing others felt the same. 

I only bring that up because one is milled in USA and one is made in China 

[philly2kuk]

Wonder if Taylormade finally made a putter that doesn’t flake and chip, no matter how much you take care of it. THAT would get me to buy another Taylormade putter as all my previous attempts have looked like I’ve attacked them within a few weeks yet my other much older putters from other companies look great many years on.

[mitchdoc]

35 minutes ago, philly2kuk said:

Wonder if Taylormade finally made a putter that doesn’t flake and chip, no matter how much you take care of it. THAT would get me to buy another Taylormade putter as all my previous attempts have looked like I’ve attacked them within a few weeks yet my other much older putters from other companies look great many years on.

The hydroblast x I think is still the benchmark.

[NNJ]

1 hour ago, philly2kuk said:

Wonder if Taylormade finally made a putter that doesn’t flake and chip, no matter how much you take care of it. THAT would get me to buy another Taylormade putter as all my previous attempts have looked like I’ve attacked them within a few weeks yet my other much older putters from other companies look great many years on.

this is honestly what irks me most about taylormade putters. Historically I have got along well with the spider series in terms of performance and found them to be reasonably decent value, until the paint chips, and it doesn’t take much (a few specs of seed on a green, etc). Even normal use where you always have a cover on except on the green can cause this. It’s honestly a loss to taylormade bc this alone makes me feel that they are less than premium

[So_Cal]

1 hour ago, mitchdoc said:

I only bring that up because one is milled in USA and one is made in China 

I will say the fit and finish of my Phantoms is much better than my hydroblast Spider, as much as I like that putter.  It has gaps and misfits like a 1980’s car. 

[scottb15]

New putters are absolutely awful

[Binson]

Taylormade SPDR?

 

Seems like a missed opportunity

[dmeeksDC]

8 hours ago, JMB3 said:

You just beat me to it, haha.  Is this the 2023 GT?  Here’s the white for those wondering:

 

/cdn-cgi/mirage/b7a73eda2099c7ee054fefd6b0908c1c35c49e9d8e92c092a1a46794b72194ca/1280/cdn-cgi/mirage/b7a73eda2099c7ee054fefd6b0908c1c35c49e9d8e92c092a1a46794b72194ca/1280/https://wrxcdn.golfwrx.com/uploads/monthly_2023_01/A8B1B44E-4222-43FD-A995-0F0B82BC1E40.jpeg.58308ee9d77632cb8d182aadd85af73b.jpeg

For my tastes that’s a cool putter. I’m not the typical Spider player. I don’t get along with the famous boxy shapes. I generally like round, so I putt well with Rossie shapes and I like the two-tone GT, even more than the wingless Rollback. The deep red one is the same crown I like, only it has black wings. I’ve rolled it in stores, and I don’t notice the wings when putting. They kind of fade away. But they do add stability. It’s quite nice on 3 footers.  
 

This one above with the single line between the two milled lines on the back of the crown, it just looks easy to aim. I don’t know the designed weight balance on these — it feels kind of even — but the putter doesn’t wiggle, the roll is smooth and it’s not a huge head. Some of these Spiders that have come out the past few years really aren’t much like the classic versions (the 2021 Spider S Platinum has awesome alignment lines) but they’ve been my favorite ones!