I’ve been tracking the clubs and equipment of PGA Tour winners this season as well as new equipment additions and changes. There’s one trend that just seems to be multiplying.
The 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 putters were everywhere. In some groups, every player had one in the bag. I went through the top 20 golfers in the world and tracked what each of them is using on the greens.
Top 20 golfers in the world – Putter breakdown
| Rank | Player | Putter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scottie Scheffler | TaylorMade Spider Tour X |
| 2 | Rory McIlroy | TaylorMade Spider Tour X |
| 3 | Cameron Young | Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5R Tour Prototype |
| 4 | Tommy Fleetwood | TaylorMade Spider Tour Black |
| 5 | Matt Fitzpatrick | Bettinardi BB1 Fitz |
| 6 | Xander Schauffele | Odyssey Toulon Las Vegas CH Xander Prototype |
| 7 | Justin Rose | Scotty Cameron Phantom T-5 |
| 8 | Collin Morikawa | TaylorMade Spider Tour X |
| 9 | Chris Gotterup | TaylorMade Spider Tour X |
| 10 | Russell Henley | Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype |
| 11 | Robert MacIntyre | TaylorMade Spider Tour Black |
| 12 | Sepp Straka | Odyssey Stroke Lab Tuttle |
| 13 | J.J. Spaun | L.A.B. Golf DF3 |
| 14 | Hideki Matsuyama | Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS |
| 15 | Justin Thomas | Scotty Cameron Phantom 5 (prototype variations) |
| 16 | Ben Griffin | TaylorMade Spider Tour X |
| 17 | Jacob Bridgeman | TaylorMade Spider Tour |
| 18 | Ludvig Åberg | Odyssey Ai-ONE #1 |
| 19 | Alex Noren | Odyssey O-Works #1 Wide MicroHinge |
| 20 | Akshay Bhatia | Odyssey Ai-Dual Jailbird |
What stands out
Eight of the top 20 golfers in the world are using some version of the Spider.
No other single putter model comes close to that level of usage. There are still plenty of blade-style putters 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 overall direction is clear. More of the best players in the world are choosing stability and consistency over tradition.
It’s also worth noting that they are not all using the exact same version of the TaylorMade Spider. Some prefer different finishes, others use different neck styles to match their stroke.
What is it about the Spider Tour X?
The Spider Tour X is built around stability from the ground up. Its high-MOI design pushes weight toward the perimeter of the head which helps reduce twisting at impact and keeps the face more stable on off-center strikes. When contact is not perfect, the putter is designed to keep the ball starting closer to your intended line.
By combining lightweight aluminum with heavier steel components, TaylorMade can position weight more precisely. That allows the putter to maintain forgiveness without sacrificing feel.
The insert is another part of the equation. It’s designed to promote consistent roll across the face, not just from the center.
Then there’s alignment.
The Spider shape makes it easier to see your line and set up square to the target. If you aim better and start the ball on line more often, you’ll make more putts.
What is the best putter in golf using right now?
There’s one more detail worth looking at.
Jacob Bridgeman currently leads Strokes Gained: Putting on the PGA Tour and he’s doing it with a Spider.
That doesn’t mean the putter is the reason. Strokes Gained: Putting depends on a lot more than equipment. At the same time, when the best putter in this group is using the same model that keeps showing up across the top 20, it’s hard to ignore.
Final thoughts
The Spider Tour X is consistently found in the hands of the best players in the world and it’s just as visible at events one level down.
That doesn’t mean it’s the right putter for every golfer but it may be one worth trying.
Jim R
2 months ago
Lately I have been watching putters intently. I have noticed that TaylorMade contracted players use a Spider. Titleist guys use a Scotty. Callaway guys use an Odyssey. Ping guys use Ping.
A question, what is the priority for the player, contract amount, the clubs, the ball, or the putter?