Expert Review: TaylorMade Spider Tour 2020 Black #3 Putter
Practicing 6-footers. All photos courtesy of Jeremy Brown
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the putter, which I purchased with my own money in May of 2022.
My take
The TaylorMade Spider Tour 2020 Black #3 Putter has transformed me into a player with a good short game. My chipping has always been solid, but my putting anywhere outside two feet used to truly make my hands shake. I can now confidently line up my ball, trust the line on the back of my Spider, and listen for the sound of the ball hitting the bottom of the cup. This putter is ideal for players looking for help with their alignment too.
Keeping it inside 3 feet
About the club I own
- Model: 2020 Spider Tour Black #3
- Shape: Mallet
- Hosel Neck: Small slant
- Balance Point: 30-degree toe hang
- Shaft Length: 34 inches
- Grip Type: Super Stroke Pistol GTR 1.0
- Finish: Black
About me
- Average Score: 83
- Handicap: 9.5
- Experience: Three years of golf
- Right/Left-Handed: Right-handed
- Stroke Type: Pendulum
- Golf Ball Used: Bridgestone Tour B RX
- Height: 5’11”
Test conditions
- When I bought the putter: May 2022
- Days tested: 90 days
- Where I’ve used it: Practice and competitive play
- Weather and Wind Conditions: Perfect golf days and wet, windy, 40 mph gusts
- Green Speed: Everywhere from cow-pasture greens to tile flooring
- Grass Type: Bent Grass, Poa Annua
How it performs
What I was looking for
I wanted a putter that would inspire confidence. I was very attached to my old putter, a Bullseye 35A which, while classic, was doing me absolutely no favors. I wanted a putter with a subtle, long line along the back to make short putts a no-brainer. I had never had a mallet putter in my bag before, but I knew it was time to make the switch when I was panicking over two footers.
Why I chose this club
Spider putters are among the most well-reviewed putters available. I considered several other mallets, but what ultimately sold me on this club was the look. This club’s black finish and simple, white line are the exact combination of form and function I was looking for.
What I love about it
- Forgiveness: Mis-hits are almost a non-factor with the forgiveness of the face, but the occasional putt will travel a bit further than it feels like it should have. Definitely took me some getting used to.
- Alignment: I absolutely love the understated white line along the crown of this putter; it is easily my favorite feature. It trains my eye to “see the line” all the way to the cup.
- Length: This putter convinced me without a doubt that a 34” putter fits me best. My old bullseye was 35” and forced me to stand too far from my ball. I was unable to keep my eye straight over the ball and missed left and right wildly, even on short putts. No idea why I didn’t switch sooner.
- Aesthetic Appeal: I am a huge fan of the tour-black finish and minimal graphics/branding along the body. Though the face looks a bit “plastic-y.”
- Grip Feel: The flat edge of the grip helps me know that my hands are aligned correctly. Though when I received my putter—directly from TaylorMade—the stock grip was attached a few degrees open, which was quickly remedied.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Face Feel: The feel is very soft, almost too soft. Mis-hits are hard to distinguish by feeling alone. This might be the biggest separation from my old putter. I could immediately identify whether I struck a putt well or not, probably because my old putter’s sweet spot was so small!
- Weight: In the future I could see myself using a slightly heavier putter. This putter is on the lighter side, but the Pure Roll insert in the face is very hot; it doesn’t feel like I have to kill it on long putts.
Best Putt or Round with this Putter
My best round with this putter was the first round of a local club championship where I tied for first place with 28 putts and eight up-and-downs. Probably 100+ feet of putts holed that day. Absolutely everything was falling. Couldn’t have done it without my Spider!
Value for the money vs. other options
For the money, being that there are newer options available, I think the TaylorMade Spider Tour 2020 Black #3 putter is one of the best options under $200. A similar low-cost option would be a Tour Edge HP Series Black Nickel 08 Putter or Wilson Buckingham Infinite Putter. A newer, more premium version is the TaylorMade Spider GT Black Single Bend Putter.
Final verdict
This putter has unlocked the confidence and competence I was unable to reach with my previous putter. I am inspired to practice and become even better because of it. Thinking about switching to a mallet putter? Talk with a Curated Golf Expert!
